Bad Dental Habits
As we come into a new year, it’s a good idea to review the habits not just of ourselves, but also those of our children. As parents, it’s our job to lead by example. However, we must also be diligent in making sure that unique situations a child will face in regards to their oral hygiene are quickly resolved and that the child learns proper dental care. Children must avoid developing bad dental habits from a young age.
While the first few of these are particular primarily to kids, unless you’re an adult with some unusual habits, the last two are also ones worthy of consideration for many adults. However, City Dental Kids & Braces is primarily providing this list as a reminder of some bad habits to watch out for in your kids. Here are the top 5 bad dental habits in children:
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Thumb Sucking
It’s a good idea to try and curb this habit, preferably at as early an age as possible. The reason is that children start developing their oral hygiene habits very early into their youth. While thumb sucking becomes more detrimental the older your child becomes, especially after they receive their adult teeth, try to stop the habit as young as possible. Don’t be too forceful, as it is normal and typically doesn’t cause any damage until after the adult teeth have started to come in. Just be gentle, but diligent, and in time your child will lose the habit.
Thumb sucking after the permanent teeth have come in can result in misalignment of the teeth as well as the spreading of bacteria. The thumb itself even can get an infection.
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Sucking a Baby Bottle at Night
There is actually a term known as “bottle mouth” that describes the pitting and discoloration that can occur in the teeth when a child is allowed to suck on a baby bottle all night long or even just for extended periods of time. While it is common for a child to be lulled to sleep at night with the milk from a bottle, sugar from the milk will remain on the teeth for a long while and can even eat away at it. Juice can be even worse.
Do your best to put your child to sleep without a bottle in their mouth.
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Drinking Out of Sippy Cups All Day
Sippy cups can be just as damaging to teeth as a baby bottle for similar reasons. Once you’ve graduated your child to a sippy cup, avoid letting them use the cup all day long including falling asleep with it into the night. Constantly sipping anything doesn’t allow the saliva to do its job in rinsing away sugars that cause tooth decay. Again, sugary drinks are even worse. This leads to our next item on the list.
- Frequent Drinking of Sugary Sodas or Other Sweet Drinks
Sugary juices and sodas are bad for everyone’s teeth and children are definitely no exception. Newly developing teeth are, in fact, especially impacted by these unhealthy drinks.
While the safest bet is introducing your children only to healthy drinks, if you do ever give your child sugary drinks, strictly limit how much you give them.
If sugary drinks and a bad diet are a bad habit for you, don’t let your children also develop such habits!
- Neglecting the Dentist
This bad habit is more to blame on the parents than the child. The American Dental Association suggests that kids visit the dentist within six months after their first tooth appears and no later than their first birthday. Following their first checkup, your child should visit the dentist at least every six months.
Don’t skip out on your dental visits either, proud parent!
City Dental Kids & Braces is Here For YOU!
A professional pediatric dentist can really help in instilling good habits in your children. City Dental Kids & Braces is the perfect choice for you and your kids. Contact us today!
City Dental Kids & Braces was established by Dr. Sam Shahoveisi and Dr. Michael Danial to bring a comfortable and fun experience visiting the dentist to children. City Dental Kids & Braces is the best choice for any and all of your pediatric dental concerns. The professionalism of their doctors will ensure your child has the best possible care before, during, and after their dental procedure.
For questions, or to schedule an appointment, contact us today at (626) 962-1700.
