Good health is vital… especially when it comes to the health of your children. They rely on you day after day. As a parent, it is your responsibility to protect them from harm and take care of their oral hygiene. So, it’s time to ask yourself: are their teeth and gums healthy? Have you been doing enough? If you’re not sure, then it’s time to find out. The reality is that tooth decay is on the rise in children – and it may be linked to neglect.
Sugary foods and fizzy drinks are everywhere these days. They come pre-packaged and are easy to grab on the go. Many parents and caregivers reach out for these sugary items without giving them much thought. However, the convenience factor may be impacting your child’s dental health. How? Each day, the average child has an allowance of 5% of sugar in their diet. Unfortunately, the average can of soda has more than that daily allowance. Increased amounts of sugar in the diet can cause weight gain – but it can also increase the risk of tooth decay. Pooling sugar can cause infections, dental carries, cavities, and rotting or decayed teeth
This is particularly dangerous in young children. The more sugar they take in, the higher the risk of experiencing serious dental issues. Excess sugar can impact their dental development – as well as the strength of their gums. It can also cause problems with the way their adult teeth form in the future. If all that wasn’t scary enough, consider the statistics. By the time your child reaches kindergarten, half of the students in their class will have cavities. Once they move on to elementary school, that number will climb even higher.
How can you prevent your own child from becoming a statistic? Don’t neglect the health of their teeth and gums. Neglect – intentional or not – is the leading cause of dental problems in children today. How does it happen? Many caregivers believe that baby teeth are not important, as they will simply fall out. Why bother spending money on dentist visits, right? This mentality can lead to the neglect of a child’s oral health. Baby teeth are just as important as adult teeth…. even if they will fall out in the future. You never want to put your child’s gums or development at risk in any way.
To take proper care of your child’s dental needs, there are a few things you can do. Encourage them to drink water rather than sugary drinks, pay attention to the foods they eat and don’t forget about the dentist. Regular trips to the dentist can prevent dental issues from getting worse. It also establishes a positive routine and re-enforces the idea that oral hygiene is an essential part of their lives. In addition, seeing the dentist ensures that their dental development is on track.
Make dental health a priority in your home. Not just for your children but for every member of the family. When positive attitudes towards the tooth and gum care are established, the overall health of your child will benefit. Don’t neglect their dental health…. show them how important it is!
Are you concerned about dental decay? Children Dentists has all of the information you need. We are the best source for pediatric dentistry, so feel free to contact us.