Remember trick-or-treating as a kid? On a particularly good Halloween, you might rake in upward of two pounds of candy. It was amazing! Lying on your bed, eating an endless stream of sweets… but, of course, you probably woke up with your teeth feeling a bit funny and your mother scolding you when she’d noticed you’d eaten half your candy stash.
This illustrates how, if left to their own devices, kids tend to neglect their oral health. Teaching your kids to care for their teeth is an important part of developing good health habits early on. A strong understanding of oral hygiene will serve them beyond childhood and far into their futures. It will also greatly increase their chances of having healthy teeth throughout their lives. Let’s look at just how important oral hygiene is for kids and how to help them establish good dental habits.
Why Keeping Your Child’s Teeth Healthy is Vital
Helping your kid keep their teeth healthy is a crucial part of their overall health. Regular brushing and flossing stops plaque from building up. Plaque is essentially a buildup of bacteria that sticks to the teeth. When too much of it lingers for too long, cavities and gum disease can creep in. This will not only cause your child pain but will require dental intervention. More importantly, if bad dental health goes untreated, it can lead to far more serious issues.
How Oral Health Is Linked to Overall Health
Did you know that gum disease is actually linked to larger health problems like heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory ailments like pneumonia? It sounds odd at first, but the truth is that the mouth is the gateway to the body, and bacteria loves to hang out there. An oral infection can lead to bacteria spreading to your heart and lungs by way of the bloodstream, and such internal inflammation can, in turn, lead to higher blood glucose and even prediabetes.
Preventing Tooth Decay
Help your kids take preventative actions by limiting their intake of—and access to—high-sugar foods and beverages. Candy and soda should only be occasional treats! It’s also vital to get them into a daily brushing and flossing routine. Keep them accountable and make sure they understand the negative consequences of not caring for their teeth. Begin taking your child to the dentist after their first tooth comes in. This added authority figure can help reinforce their need to keep up with oral hygiene.
Ensuring That Kids Get the Right Amount of Fluoride
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in soil and water that plays a crucial role in fortifying tooth enamel—that tough outer layer of the teeth. By strengthening enamel, fluoride plays an important role in cavity prevention. It’s important to make sure that your child gets the right amount of fluoride. Here’s how:
- Check drinking water’s fluoride content. If it lacks fluoride or if you have well water, ask your dentist about fluoride supplements.
- Once children reach an age where they can rinse and spit (typically around age 6), ask your dentist if it’s a good idea to make fluoride mouthwash part of your child’s routine.
- Ask your dentist to help you create a schedule for giving your child fluoride supplements and/or mouthwash.
Developing Oral Hygiene for Life
The foundation for lifelong oral health begins with instilling proper dental hygiene habits during childhood. If you’re interested in more advice about your child’s oral health, contact us today to book a consultation with one of our board-certified pediatricians.