Parenting comes with a lot of questions. Is your child eating the right foods? Are they getting enough sleep each night? Should they be crawling by now? After all, children don’t come with instruction books! Thankfully, guidance from your doctor and other health professionals will help you care for your little one as they grow. This includes their dental health, since a few simple facts and healthy habits can set them up for a lifetime of strong and sparkling smiles! Read on as your children’s dentist goes over five key facts about children’s dental health that every parent should know.
1.) Tooth Decay Is the #1 Most Common Childhood Disease
You probably already know that kids are prone to cavities, but they may be much more common than you think. Tooth decay is 5 times more common than asthma in children, and 20 times more common than childhood diabetes, making it the most common childhood disease. That’s why it’s essential to understand why children are at such a high risk of cavities and vigilantly practice the right habits to keep tooth decay at bay.
2.) Good Oral Hygiene Starts Earlier Than You Think
Baby teeth are vulnerable to tooth decay as soon as they appear, which means good oral hygiene practices are key for preventing cavities. As soon as those little teeth start appearing, you can brush them with a baby-sized toothbrush and a small smear of children’s fluoridated toothpaste. You should start flossing their teeth as soon as two of those little pearly whites start touching.
3.) Candy Isn’t the Only Cause of Cavities
Sugar and sweets are the most notorious culprit behind cavities, but they certainly aren’t they only thing to look out for. Carb-heavy snacks like cereal, chips, and crackers as week as drinks like soda and even fruit juice fuel cavity-causing tooth decay just as quickly as sugar. There’s even sugar in formula, which can cause “baby bottle tooth decay” if allowed to pool on your child’s gums when you put them to sleep with a bottle.
4.) Tooth Decay in Baby Teeth Matters
Even though baby teeth are designed to fall out over time, it’s essential that they’re taken care of until they naturally loosen and come out. This means that cavities, cracks, and chips in baby teeth should be treated just as urgently as if they were permanent teeth! Not doing so can lead to infected, painful teeth, as well as complications for your child’s development, speaking and chewing abilities, and self-confidence.
5.) Kids Should Have Their 1st Dental Checkup By Their 1st Birthday
Many parents don’t begin thinking about taking their little one to the dentist until they’re several years old. However, the last thing you want to do is wait until your child has a toothache to first introduce them to their dentist! The American Dental Associate recommends that children get their first dental checkup before their first birthday to help them get used to the idea of visiting the dentist so they’re somewhat accustomed to it by the time they need to go in for any kind of treatment.
There’s a lot to keep in mind when it comes to keeping your child’s smile happy and healthy as they grow! Fortunately, your children’s dentist will be with you every step of the way to ensure your little one is set up for a lifetime of optimal oral health!
About the Practice
At Beverly Farms Dental, we’re committed to helping smiles at every stage of life achieve optimal oral health and maintain it for life! Our experienced and talented team understands that growing smiles need special care and attention, and we are happy to provide the services they need to keep their smiles healthy. If you’re interested in scheduling an appointment for your child or would like to learn more about our children’s dentistry services, we can be contacted online or at (978) 927-3515.