We may get two sets of teeth during our lifetime, but this doesn’t mean that we can afford to let our kid’s oral health slide. Proper dental care is important at every stage of our life, including when we are very young. Studies have found that developing great oral health habits from an early age do not only protect baby teeth from cavities, but can help your child to:

• make the right choices surrounding the best nutrition for the health of their teeth

• develop an effective brushing technique

• become aware of habits that may negatively impact the health or appearance of teeth

• be able to visit the dentist without fear

• enjoy better oral health

• minimize their risk of developing dental problems, including gum disease

• enjoy better general health, since poor oral hygiene has been linked to the development of numerous chronic conditions including high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and even Alzheimer’s Disease

• maintain a healthy and attractive smile

Why dental care for kids is different from dental care for grown-ups

So, we know why proper dental care for kids is important. What many people don’t realize is that the care that children and young people need for their teeth is somewhat different from that needed for adults. This is because your child is still growing and developing and during this time, his jaw will change, and his secondary teeth will come through. These alone can present your dentist with a variety of challenges. For example, some children have a jaw that is too small to accommodate all of their adult teeth, and this can lead to the overlapping and other alignment problems. Other kids may suffer from impaction or retained baby teeth. Impaction is where an adult tooth doesn’t erupt properly while retained baby teeth can occur if there aren’t adult teeth present to push them out.

Most dentists recommend that a child is seen by an orthodontist before their 10^th birthday and after most of their adult teeth have erupted. This is so that any potential issues with their bite (the way that their teeth come together when they close their mouth) or the position of their teeth can be assessed, and if needed, addressed. This will help to prevent further dental problems from developing into adulthood.

Things you can do to support your kid’s dental health

As a parent, it is your responsibility to model excellent oral health habits for your children and to teach them the right way to take care of their teeth. Your dentist will also be firmly in your corner, encouraging your child to take ownership of their own dental hygiene routine and to make the right decisions for their oral health.

Fortunately, there are a number of things that you can do to support your kid’s dental health. These include:

• starting to brush his teeth as soon as they begin to come through

• sticking to a strict oral hygiene routine no matter how tired you may be!

• teaching your kid to brush his own teeth

• making sure your child gets enough fluoride by choosing the right toothpaste

• feeding your child a healthy, varied diet that is high in fruit and vegetables and low in added sugars

• encouraging your kid to drink water over any other drink

• taking your child for regular dental check-ups with your professional dentist

If you would like more information about the importance of kid’s dental health, or if you would like to arrange a visit for your child to have his teeth assessed by our experienced dentistry team, please get in touch.