Good dental health is important for all ages. There are some really bad habits that children will do that can cause problems with their teeth. If you can stop these habits before your child gets older it can help improve your child’s smile. Smile Reef wants to help you understand what these habits are so that you can help prevent your child from doing them.
Biting Nails
Some habits can be hard to break, nail biting can be one of those. Not only is it bad for your nails it is also bad for your child’s teeth. Fingernails and toenails are made out of keratin which is a hardened substance that your child is forcing their teeth to bite down on. It can cause their teeth to have major wear and tear on their enamel and over time cause their teeth to crack and chip. The best way to stop this habit is to figure out what triggers their nail biting. Once you figure out what triggers the behavior, then work on different techniques and help them use those techniques instead of nail biting.
Sucking Thumb
Sucking their thumb can also be a really hard habit for them to break the older they get. When your toddler or child sucks their thumb it can cause problems such as gap teeth, overbite, or protruding teeth. Babies often find the thumb as a soothing method because babies naturally have a sucking reflex. This habit does not pose a threat to your child’s oral health until they are about four years old. This is when their permanent teeth will start to begin emerging.
Not Brushing or Flossing
It is important that you start a brushing and flossing routine with your child when the child is young. When your child skips brushing and flossing that is when cavities start to develop and your child can start to get gum disease, infection, or even tooth loss. When you start teaching your child to floss and brush their teeth at a young age it will become a good habit for them and help their teeth to stay healthy.
Eating Lots of Sugary Treats
It can be so easy to give your child a sugar treat or drink to make your child happy. The problem comes when your child is having those sugary treats or drinks frequently. Bacteria loves the sugar in your mouth and it feeds on the sugar and produces acid. This can erode the tooth enamel and give your child cavities. You must limit the number of sugary treats and drinks you give your child and try giving them healthy snacks like fruits and vegetables instead.
Neglecting Dental Checkups
Having a regular dental checkup is very important to maintain healthy teeth. It is not uncommon for children to not enjoy going to dental checkups. But as a parent, you need to have your child go to help prevent any dental problems that may be occurring in your child’s mouth such as cavities, gum disease, and other oral conditions. A pediatric dentist is trained to deal with children and knows how to work with them to make the experience more enjoyable.
Pediatric Dentistry
Every one of these habits can have an impact on your child’s dental health. Stop these habits before they become a bigger problem. If you are looking for a pediatric dentist or have any questions about your child’s teeth then give Smile Reef a call and they can help get you set up for an appointment.