Good dental habits in childhood can prevent tooth decay and other dental problems that cause pain and other health issues. Additionally, these dental issues can result in a child developing embarrassing cosmetic problems. For an informed parent, it is possible to avoid common pediatric dental mistakes.
Neglecting Baby Teeth
While your child's baby teeth will eventually fall out and be replaced, it is still vital to effectively care for them. Problems with a child's baby teeth can result in significant developmental issues. In some cases, tooth damage can greatly increase the risk of the child developing an infection or experiencing intense discomfort. An example of this could be a child with a cracked tooth. While these teeth are eventually replaced, sealing the crack could reduce the risk of an oral infection developing. In addition to repairing chronic damage, you must encourage your child to follow sound dental hygiene practices. Thorough brushing, flossing, and mouth rinse can significantly reduce the risk of gum disease or tooth decay developing with your child's smile.
Giving Children Sugary Drinks
Sugary drinks are a major cause of dental problems for children. The high sugar content of these beverages and a child's poor dental cleaning habits can be a recipe for significant oral health issues. If your child enjoys sugary drinks, it is helpful to encourage them to brush or at least rinse after drinking these beverages. This can remove much of the sugar residue from the mouth before it contributes to bacteria and decay.
Not Using Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are one of the easiest and most effective ways of protecting your child's teeth from decay. A dental sealant is a thin coating applied to the back teeth, which are particularly vulnerable to decay. Using a dental sealant creates a barrier that prevents food and bacteria from getting trapped in the pits and fissures of the teeth. This reduces the ability of decay to form on these surfaces. Younger children may benefit the most from these sealants due to poor motor skills, making it hard to clean their rear teeth.
Underestimating the Importance of Braces
Braces are often considered a cosmetic treatment, but they are more than that. Braces can help correct problems with the bite and alignment of teeth, leading to better oral health. Misaligned teeth can make it harder to keep them clean, leading to an increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Additionally, misaligned teeth can cause problems with chewing and speaking. If your child's dentist recommends braces, following through with the treatment is vital to help prevent future dental problems.
Contact a dental service such as Etobicoke Smiles Dental to find out more.
Do you know who is good at getting to the tooth of the matter? A dentist. After all, their job is all about teeth. They perform procedures to keep teeth healthy. They also perform procedures on unhealthy teeth in order to restore them to good health. Dental care is for everyone at every stage of life, and we are here for it. Of course we go to the dentist ourselves and are really excited to talk about that experience in new and different ways on this blog. We promise to do good research and share only the best, most accurate information with you along the way.