8 Common Misconceptions About Children's Teeth Care
Everyone wants their children to have strong and healthy teeth. But sometimes parents (and kids too!) get hold of some ideas that aren’t all that helpful. Here are eight common misconceptions about children’s teeth care. Remember, the more informed you are, the brighter your child’s smile can be!
1. Baby teeth aren’t important because they’re just going to fall out soon anyway.
Nope! Baby teeth, also called primary teeth, are very important. It’s true they’re not going to stay around permanently, but they are there for good reasons. Children usually have a set of about 20 baby teeth by the time they turn three. Healthy primary teeth help them as they learn to talk. They also help kids learn to chew well in those first important years when they need good nutrition because they’re growing so much. Primary teeth even help the mouth hold the right amount of space for the adult teeth that will come in next. Healthy primary teeth help a child’s jaw to develop correctly and also make sure their adult teeth are aligned well. Whew! That's a lot of important reasons to keep those baby teeth healthy.
2. A child doesn’t need to see the dentist until it’s time to start school.
Since baby teeth and oral health are so important, we recommend bringing your child in for their first visit at age 1. Dentists can educate parents about the best ways to help care for their children’s teeth. Since children tend to fall more in the active toddler years, it’s possible that your child might need to see a dentist due to an injury. Hopefully that won’t happen, but if it does, you will feel much more relaxed if your child has already gotten comfortable at the dentist office.
3. Preschool age children will always be fearful at the dentist.
They don’t need to be. Let them take their cue from how relaxed you are. By taking them early and making the dentist part of your regular healthy routine, they will learn to know what to expect and begin to feel more comfortable soon. At the dentist, they even get to pick a prize!
4. Once my child has gotten the hang of brushing, he doesn’t really need my help anymore.
Not true. Most kids don't physically develop the manual dexterity to brush all of the nooks and crannies of their teeth well until they are about 8 years old. Your dentist should be able to tell you if there are places you or your child is missing or not cleaning as well, and you can work with the child to help them reach those areas better and clean the teeth more thoroughly.
5. Toothbrush size doesn’t matter.
Early on, it does. You want a brush that fits well inside your child’s mouth and is one he or she can hold with ease. The smaller the brush head, the easier it is to move around in there. Softer bristles may encourage them to brush more often too. There’s no reason why the tooth brushing routine can’t be a little fun!
6. Kids don't need to floss.
Yes, they do. Just like brushing, flossing takes time and practice to learn. You can help them reach the hard-to-reach places. If you’re not sure how, your dentist or dental hygienist can help you learn some good techniques. And yes, parents, you need to floss too.
7. As long as I’m not giving lots of candy, I don’t have to worry about my child getting cavities.
It’s good not to give too many sugary snacks, but sugar is sneaky, not always sweet. It's not just in candy. It shows up in juices, milks, and other drinks. Tooth decay is caused by bacteria acids. Bacteria can feed off the simple carbohydrates in things like cookies and goldfish too. That’s not to say you should never give sweets or other fun snacks. Every once in a while is ok. But if it becomes an every day multiple times a day thing, that's a recipe for cavities. Just be aware that good dental care helps no matter what your child is eating.
8. Kids just get cavities more than grown-ups do.
They don’t have to! Good eating habits (fruits and veggies do make great snacks) and good brushing habits go a long way toward helping kids avoid tooth decay. And that’s something for everyone to smile about!
