As a parent, you want to make sure that your child is able to grow up with a beautiful, healthy smile. To achieve this goal, it’s important to learn as much as you can about children’s dental health; the more you know, the better equipped you’ll be to make the best decisions for your little one’s teeth. Your pediatric dentist is here with 4 important facts about children’s dental health that all parents should keep in mind.
1. Baby Teeth are Temporary, But They’re Still Important
It can be easy to assume that baby teeth don’t matter as much as permanent teeth since they’re supposed to fall out eventually. However, the truth is that baby teeth are very important. Not only do they allow your child to chew a variety of foods and speak clearly, but they also help ensure that the permanent teeth are able to come in correctly. In other words, you can’t afford to neglect the health of baby teeth.
2. Children Should Start Seeing the Dentist As Early As Possible
When it comes to oral health, you need to make sure your child gets started off on the right foot. It’s highly recommended that you start bringing them to the pediatric dentist as early in life as possible. Ideally, you should schedule their first appointment right after their first baby tooth emerges, or at the very least before they turn one year old. Early dental visits can improve your child’s chances of having problems in their mouth caught before they can lead to more severe issues.
3. Kids Under the Age of 6 Shouldn’t Use Mouthwash
Making mouthwash a part of your child’s oral hygiene routine can make a big difference for their smile. That said, you shouldn’t let your little one use mouthwash until they turn 6 years old. Children younger than that could potentially swallow the mouthwash by accident. Also, mouthwash tends to contain a lot of fluoride. If teeth are exposed to too much fluoride while they’re still developing, it could result in fluorosis, causing white, yellow, or brown spots to appear on the enamel.
Of course, once your child reaches the age of 6, you can start searching for kid-friendly mouthwashes with fun flavors. Be sure to take the time to teach your child how to rinse their mouth properly, and remember to emphasize the importance of spitting the mouthwash out when they’re done instead of swallowing it.
4. Sports Can Lead to Dental Injuries
Sports can be a great way for your child to stay in shape, but they can also carry a certain amount of risk for their smile. Statistics show that between 10 percent and 39 percent of dental injuries in children (such as chipped or broken teeth) can be attributed to sports. As such, you should always make sure that your child is wearing a mouthguard before they head out onto the field or court.
About the Author
Dr. Sara (Yun Ae) Kim is a graduate of the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, and she completed the NYU Langone Hospital-Based Pediatric Dentistry program. She offers quality dental care to children of all ages in South Portland and Auburn, and she believes in a prevention-based, minimally invasive approach to oral health care. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Sara (Yun Ae) Kim at Maine Pediatric Dentistry, visit her website or call (207) 245-7195.
