Bad Habits That Affect Kids Teeth

Posted on 1/23/2023 by Joseph Kabaklian DDS

As soon as your child's first baby tooth sprouts is when a child's dental health begins. It would be best if you started promoting healthy oral health habits from day one. About 19 percent of children between age 2 and 19 have untreated cavities. Tooth decay in children can be prevented early on if the parents help their child avoid bad dental habits. To get your kids' dental health off to a good start, there are some things you should avoid.

Dental No Nos

Parents' number one mistake concerning their child's dental health is waiting until there is a current problem before visiting the dentist's office. Kids should visit the dentist within six months after they get their first tooth. Your child's dentist will look for cavities and assess tooth decay risk. After that first visit, your child should have regular check-ups every six months. Discoloration and pitting on the teeth can result from nighttime bottle feeding. If the mouth is not cleaned after bottle feeding, sugar from the milk can remain on their teeth throughout the night and erode the enamel.

Change Their Habits

Once your child starts using a sippy cup, you need to avoid the bad habit of letting them have it with them throughout the day. If they are constantly drinking out of their sippy cup, their natural saliva doesn't get a chance to rinse away sugars that can cause tooth decay. Limit their sippy cup to just mealtime and snack times. Fluoride is great for your kids' teeth, but it should not be swallowed. Avoid using toothpaste that contains fluoride until they are old enough to spit after brushing. Swallowing the fluoride can cause fluorosis and form white or brown spots on your kids' teeth. Teach your children not to swallow it. Until they are old enough to spit after brushing, you can use a toothpaste containing no fluoride. Thumb sucking and pacifiers should also be avoided whenever possible. Once permanent teeth start to come in between ages 4 and 6, thumb sucking and pacifier use can cause teeth to become misaligned and lead to more severe issues later in life. Sugary sodas are bad for anyone's teeth but are even worse for kids' teeth. Don't let your child have a soft drink habit. Good parenting is key to your child's dental health, and you should be aware of these dental no's and avoid them to ensure your child's teeth stay in tip-top shape.

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