Are Your Child’s Bad Habits Hurting Their Teeth?
I’m sure that we can all say that we have had a bad habit that we needed to break at some point in our lifetime. Maybe we ate too many sweets, didn’t drink as much water as we should, spent too much money, or didn’t get enough exercise. But what happens when your child or young loved one has a bad habit? It can be tricky to break a child’s bad habit. There are a number of bad habits that can be affecting your young one’s oral health. Over time, these habits can lead to decay and costly repairs for their parents. We wanted to share some of kids’ worst dental habits and why they are bad for their oral health. Some of these also pertain to adults! Continue reading to learn more.
Habits That Harm Your Kid’s Teeth
We want healthy teeth and gums for ourselves and our kids. It is our job as adults to help our children break any bad habits that can be causing harm to their oral health. These habits include:
Thumbsucking and Pacifier Use
When a child is an infant, it is not uncommon for them to use their thumb or a pacifier to self-soothe. When these habits continue past the age of four, they can lead to bite issues, changes to the shape of the face, and speech issues. We recommend breaking the habit as soon as possible to avoid any complications.
Nail Biting
When children, and adults, bite their nails, they increase the risk of chipping, cracking, or prematurely wearing down the teeth. The same can be said for chewing any objects other than food or using teeth as a tool to open packages or bottles.
Not Brushing Teeth
It is great when children become more independent and can do things on their own. Unfortunately, teeth brushing and proper oral hygiene isn’t always on the top of the list of priority activities. Be sure that children are brushing teeth twice a day. It is also important that children aren’t brushing too roughly and damaging the tooth enamel. A clear sign of this is toothbrush bristles that are pushed flat.
If you are located in the Canandaigua area and notice anything worrisome with your child’s oral health, be sure to contact our office to schedule an appointment.
