According to Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General 2012, over 50% of children of ages five to nine have at least one cavity or filling, and this number increases to 78% among 17-year-olds. While we can safely assume that these numbers have increased significantly over the past two years, they reveal more than just the current state of oral healthcare. In fact, these statistics tell us that something is wrong at the root level.
Bad dental habits and oral hygiene practices are the biggest reasons why children fall prey to dental problems such as tooth decay and cavity despite these problems being preventable. According to our Pearland pediatric dentist and dental expert, most children who are at a risk of dental problems lack proper parental guidance in oral health maintenance.
http://zekedm.wistia.com/medias/3jsb39yp6g?embedType=seo&videoFoam=true&videoWidth=650
When it comes to healthy oral practices, the earlier they are started, the better the chances of eliminating the risks of dental disorders in the future. Therefore, as parents, you should ensure healthy oral habits right from the time of infancy and keep instilling these habits in your children as they grow up.
Pearland-based pediatric dentist, Dr. Corbet Ellison rightly calls parents the “role models” for dental health, which is why one of their biggest responsibilities is to teach their children the right way to take care of their teeth.
But, in order to become positive role models for your children’s oral health, first of all, you need to maintain proper oral hygiene and adopt good oral practices. The Pearland dentist points out that if you are suffering from bad dental conditions such as cavities and bacterial infections due to lack of care, you are very likely to pass on these conditions to your children either through transmission or heredity.
Dental issues lead to bigger health problems
Many parents tend to overlook dental disorders in their children as minor problems. Overlooking even minor problems may lead to bigger health risks for your children. It has been clinically observed that dental problems involve more than just tooth decay or losing a tooth. In fact, gum infection such as periodontitis, may be related to a number of systemic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, bacterial pneumonia, and diabetes mellitus. Although researchers continue to explore the relationship between oral health and overall health, most dentists believe that oral infections have a profound effect on the overall health of an individual.
What should you do to help your child’s teeth?
Being parents, you must remember the best way to keep a check on your child’s oral hygiene is to maintain yours because they learn from what they see. Here are some tips to help you get started with teaching your children the right dental habits:
- Talk to your children about the correct brushing techniques and the right kind of foods to avoid dental problems.
- Encourage your children to brush twice daily and floss regularly, you are better positioned to keep your children away from dental.
- You must choose toothpaste that has the right amount of fluoride in it.
- Avoid giving your children sugary and acidic foods that might erode the natural enamel of the teeth making them vulnerable to a wide range of dental problems.
- Visit your Pearland family dentist every six months. This helps to keep all their teeth related information at your fingertips.
The importance of caring for one’s teeth goes beyond physical health. It’s also about developing a beautiful smile that adds a charm to one’s personality. As parents, you can give your children the gift of a smile for a lifetime by training them in proper dental care habits.