Daily brushing, regular dental visits, and a healthy diet are among the best ways to protect your child’s teeth. But several parents still fail to live up to the proper oral hygiene that they should be teaching their kids. Experts say that at least 42 percent of children between the ages of 2 to 11 have had cavities forming right in their baby teeth. Meanwhile, 22 percent of children between 6 and 11 years of age have had cavities in their permanent teeth. But what are the things that parents are missing out?
Letting their child brush their teeth alone
Teaching your child how to become independent at a young age is a good idea. But since most children still haven’t fully developed their motor skills yet, brushing their teeth can be difficult for them. That’s why it’s best to wait until they reach eight years old to let them brush their teeth alone. Until then, parents should supervise their kids when they’re brushing their teeth. They should also check what their kids are doing to ensure that every surface of their tooth gets thoroughly cleaned.
Skipping on fluoride
Parents tend to get too protective of their kids. That’s why they often find things like fluoride too harsh for them. But skipping on fluoride can do more harm than good. That’s because this substance helps protect the teeth from tooth decay. But it’s also important to keep in mind that too much fluoride isn’t useful either. Your child may suffer from fluorosis, which can affect his or her health in the long run.
Provide your child with the right amount of fluoride toothpaste as soon as he or she has teeth. A typical kids’ dentist in Riverton might advise that a smear is enough for kids below three years old. Meanwhile, kids older than three can start using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.
Giving your child some sweet treats
Sugar isn’t necessarily bad for the body. But too much of it can be bad for your child’s teeth. So, try not to give your child some sticky sweets such as toffee and caramel every time he or she asks for it. Dried fruits can have the same effects. Although it’s impossible not to let your kids have them, it’s best to give them sweets in moderation. Also, ask them to brush their teeth as soon as they’re finished eating them.
Putting them to sleep with a bottle
Most parents often put their child to sleep with a feeding bottle. But doing so only makes them prone to developing tooth decay at a young age. When you give them a bottle of milk or juice every day, it only builds up the bacteria and sugar levels in their mouth. So, it’s best to wipe out their mouth with a gauze or soft cloth to remove any leftover sugar from their teeth or gums.
Maintaining your child’s oral health is a must, especially at an early age. So, learning as much as you can about these mistakes will help you avoid them in the future.