“What you don’t know won’t hurt you” is popular phrase that many people live by — especially those who hate seeing a doctor or dentist regularly. Unfortunately, the phrase couldn’t be further from the truth. Personal health is priority for you and everyone in your household — even the wee little ones who need extra special care and attention.
Did you know that parents’ lack of knowledge about certain common at-home habits can jeopardize their kids’ teeth?
For instance, nearly half of children under age 3 have never seen the dentist, according to the 2013 Delta Dental Children’s Oral Health Survey.
Parents should take children to the dentist by age 1 to establish a trusting relationship with the dentist and receive critical oral health care advice. Studies show that early preventive dental care can save in future dental treatment costs.
Fill bottles with water, not juice or milk
Nearly 50 percent of caregivers with a child 4 years old or younger report that the child sometimes takes a nap or goes to bed with a bottle or sippy cup containing milk or juice. This bad habit can lead to early childhood (baby bottle) tooth decay.
Ideally, children should finish a bottle before they are put down to sleep. But if they must have something to comfort them while they go to sleep, fill a bottle with water.
Avoid sharing food and utensils with children
Three out of every four caregivers say they share utensils such as a spoon, fork or glass with a child. But did you know that caregivers can actually pass harmful bacteria from their mouth to a child’s mouth, which can put the child at an increased risk for cavities?
Bacteria are passed when items contaminated with saliva go into a child’s mouth. Typically, this takes place through natural, parental behaviors, such as sharing eating utensils or cleaning off your baby’s pacifier with your mouth. Parents with a history of poor oral health are even more likely to pass germs along.
Simple oral health habits win
When it comes to taking care of kids’ teeth – simple oral health habits are easy to keep AND they always work. Help keep your children’s teeth healthy and strong by visiting THE SCIENCE OF SMILES every 6 months, and by encouraging brushing and flossing twice a day, for two minutes a day!
THE SCIENCE OF SMILES® offers affordable cosmetic and laser dentistry and gentle, compassionate general dental care in Pasadena, CA. Our office is conveniently located with extended hours to meet your needs. At THE SCIENCE OF SMILES®, we provide most dental services, from basic preventative care and general dentistry to specialized procedures and complete dental reconstruction. Patient satisfaction is our top priority and we strive to provide the exceptional, affordable dental care and personal touch that lead to lasting relationships. A smiling patient is our greatest reward and we look forward to keeping those smiles healthy, beautiful, and bright. Discover an affordable dentist who truly cares at THE SCIENCE OF SMILES®.