Cavities and or tooth decay has been known to be one of the most common chronic conditions that children suffer from in the United States. According to the CDC, studies show approximately more than 20 percent of children that fall between the ages of 5 years old to 11 years old have at least one decayed tooth that goes untreated. In addition, about 13 percent of adolescents that fall between the ages of 12 to 19 years old have at least one untreated decayed tooth. Tooth decay can definitely be a nuisance to have to deal with as a parent, but fortunately there are many different strategies that you can use in your life and your children’s life so that your child will love to maintain healthy teeth. It is important to try to establish better oral habits by beginning their oral hygiene routine earlier on in their lives. You can begin teaching them how to properly clean their teeth as early as potty training age. There are certain ways to teach your child how to properly clean their teeth and at the same time how to love to clean their teeth. You always want to make the learning experience fun as possible, so that your child can continue to keep these healthy habits with them for the long run.
There are many different things to try to avoid when trying to help your child build better oral habits. According to Everyday Health, some of the most common bad habits that you may want to avoid include the following: neglecting to take your child to the dentist, breastfeeding your child in the middle of the night, allowing your child to suck on a baby bottle at night, allowing your child to suck on their sippy cup with sugar-filled fluids, swallowing high levels of fluoride toothpaste, thumb sucking, giving pacifiers to preschoolers, biting on pencils, biting nails, and allowing your child to drink sugary sodas. Depending on the type of lifestyle that you and your child live, it can be very easy to get a new cavity. You always want to try your best to practice these healthy oral habits, so that your child can learn and get used to these healthy oral habits.
You also want to allow your child to learn to love attending their dental appointments. Regular visits to the dentist is one of the best solutions to prevent tooth decay. Most parents may experience trouble with trying to get their child to attend their dental appointments do to fear and or feeling uncomfortable. You may want to try to find a dentist who specializes in pediatric dentistry. Most pediatric dentistry facilities are kid-friendly and have an atmosphere that is more welcoming for children. For example, some dental facilities that are primarily focus on children have a playroom where children can play video games, read books and or draw. There may also be kid-friendly decor found all throughout the dental facility that makes your child feel safe and comfortable. Take some time to conduct research online to find your nearest pediatric kids dentistry louisville ky.
Helping your child build healthy oral hygiene habits is critical to their future. Studies continue to show that healthy teeth can allow your child to have more opportunities in their lives. Take time to find your nearest pediatric dentist, so that your child can love to maintain their healthy teeth.
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