Why It’s Important Your Child Practices Proper Oral Health
During an archeological dig, some human artifacts aged 1000 years old were found still to have their teeth intact. Ideally, a human should still have teeth even when they are 100. Yet this is rarely the case, in part because of poor oral health. Proper health practices should begin at a young age. The CDC has oral health recommendations even for babies! Here are three reasons it’s important your child practices proper oral health.
1. Poor Oral Health Could Lead to Dental Pain
According to America’s ToothFairy, children with poor oral health are three times more likely to miss school because of dental pain. Poor oral health allows food particles to decay and allow bacteria growth.
Proper dental health will help your child prevent dental problems that cause pain. Additionally, children have lower pain tolerance than adults, so it’s best to take preventative measures if the pain is avoidable. Talk to your family practice dentist to learn the best dental practices for your child.
2. Poor Oral Health Will Interfere With Social Life
Dental health affects every aspect of a child’s life. If the tooth is aching, it’s difficult for a child to concentrate on anything. If their smile is affected by poor oral health, they will be less inclined to smile and engage with other children.
Poor oral health may also cause bad mouth odor that can make your child the butt of jokes. Proper oral health practices will ensure your child is confident in engaging with other children.
3. Proper Oral Health Prevents Tooth Loss
As you can remember from the fun fact, artifacts retain teeth after many years. Proper oral health that includes a healthy diet, brushing daily, and flossing will strengthen your child’s dental health so that a tooth cannot fall out unless it is a baby tooth. Sometimes a dentist will have to remove a tooth earlier than its time because of poor oral health. Of course, some practices, such as the use of fluoride toothpaste, require the guidance of a family practice practitioner.
Your young one will benefit from starting proper dental practices early. One of the best places to start is at a family practice. At our clinic, your child will receive individualized and child-friendly attention.