As parents, one of our most important responsibilities is to instill good habits in our children, whether this is looking before they cross the road, using their manners or remembering to put their dirty clothes in the laundry. One of the most important and beneficial habits that we can teach our children is the importance of looking after their oral health, and indeed we should show them the techniques and tools for doing this.

 

Why is teaching children about dental care so important?

Your child’s teeth are as important as your own. Many people think that they needn’t concern themselves with baby teeth too much since these nearly always fall out and are replaced by adult teeth by the time they reach their teenage years. However, it is equally as essential to take care of baby teeth and in fact, they provide children with a perfect opportunity to hone their brushing and flossing techniques and the care that they provide them, before their permanent teeth arrive. Equally, any damage that is sustained to baby teeth could cause a number of problems, ranging from avoidable dental pain and infections to early loss which could compromise the timing of the arrival of the adult teeth.

Teaching good habits early on is also crucial for the long-term health of your child’s teeth and mouth, as well as their overall wellbeing. Studies have shown that children who develop good oral hygiene routines will go on to maintain them as adults and this could ensure that they experience fewer dental problems and retain their natural teeth for longer. It will also reduce the risk of periodontal disease. Also known as gum disease, this inflammatory condition is a result of poor oral hygiene and occurs when the plaque that develops on the teeth when they aren’t cleaned properly spreads onto the gum tissue, causing infection. Left untreated, patients with moderate to severe gum disease experience dental pain, abscesses, tooth loss, and bone loss in their jaw. The infection can also be transmitted to the bloodstream where it passes around the body and increases their risk of developing chronic health problems including high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and more.

By instilling good oral hygiene habits from an early age, it is possible to avoid many dental and general health issues in the future.

 

How your dentist can help

Your dentist is your biggest support in ensuring the health of your child’s teeth and mouth and regular dental check-ups are another habit that it is important to share with your child. These will usually be every 6 months, or at intervals specified by your dentist.

Regular dental visits will get your child used to the sights, sounds, and smells associated with your dentist’s office as well as the people that work there. They will also be used to having their teeth looked at and touched, which will be extremely beneficial at helping to prevent them from developing dental phobia which could otherwise prevent them from getting the care that they need. Pediatric dentists have the experience needed to be able to put children at ease when they visit and will also support you in providing them with important information about the best ways to take care of their teeth. This won’t just include help with brushing and flossing but will also include things like the right nutrition for keeping their teeth healthy. A great pediatric dentist will also support you as parents, helping you to find ways to keep your child interest in caring for their teeth, and helping with eliminating habits such as prolonged pacifier usage which could damage your child’s teeth.

For more advice on why and how you should teach your child the importance of dental care, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Dr. Ramona Sabbaghian and Dr. Anahita Sabaghian today!