Why is Oral Hygiene Important for Young Children?

While there are many concerns that parents in Palo Alto have when raising their children, oral hygiene is usually at the top of the list.

Oral hygiene is closely linked to overall body health. For instance, gum disease is associated with a host of illnesses, including respiratory disease, diabetes, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoporosis. Thus, making sure your kids receive the best dental care and establishing a proper oral hygiene regimen early in life will help guarantee the development of healthy and strong teeth.

As role models, parents play a crucial role in setting a daily routine and ensuring their kids understand the significance of oral hygiene. 

Special Care for Children's Teeth 

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists (AAPD), oral health should be prioritized, starting with the very first tooth that surfaces in your baby's mouth. 

Yes, baby teeth are temporary. However, they hold a space for the permanent ones. So, prioritize your kids’ oral health even before those permanent teeth arrive.  

Without the right care, baby teeth can decay and cause plenty of problems, including: 

• Gum disease and inflammation 
• Painful teeth and gums
• Difficulty chewing, eating, and sleeping

Helping Your Children Develop Proper Oral Health Habits Early 

As a parent or guardian, you can teach your children proper oral hygiene techniques and ensure that they visit a Palo Alto pediatric dentist for checkups and cleaning on a regular basis. 

According to data from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES), about 23% of kids 2-5 years old have had dental cavities or decay in their primary (baby) teeth. Apparently, tooth decay is one of the most prevalent childhood disorders. When left untreated, tooth decay can be extremely painful that can cause trouble sleeping or missed school.  

That said, there are several things you can do to assist your children in maintaining good oral hygiene: 

1. Teach them how to brush

When your children attain the age of two, they can start learning how to brush their teeth by themselves. Let your children watch you brush, then supervise their own brushing. Ensure they cover the outside, inside, and chewing surfaces of every tooth. 

You can make teeth brushing fun by allowing them to use themed brushes, making brushing time a game. 

2. Lead by example 

Good oral habits and dental hygiene start with you. If your children see you religiously brushing and flossing daily, they will want to follow suit. Most children love to imitate whatever their parents do. Let them start by mimicking your good oral hygiene habits.

3. Get enough fluoride 

Frequent use of fluoride strengthens the enamel, making it more difficult for acid to penetrate. For over 75 years, most communities in the U.S. have added fluoride to their water supply. A number of global bodies recommend this practice, including the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the American Dental Association (ADA). The amount of fluoride in your natural water supply is ingested and become(s) incorporated into forming tooth structures. In addition, your dentist will apply topical fluoride to strengthen teeth already present in your children’s mouths.  

If the water supply in your community is not fluoridated, request your Children's dentist in Palo Alto for fluoride supplements. 

4. Limit or avoid giving your children sugary foods

Sugary foods, juices, candy (particularly sticky gummy candies) can erode enamel, resulting in cavities. If your children consume these foods, encourage them to brush their teeth or rinse their mouth after eating to get rid of the sugar.

5. Start dental visits early

Most children don't get the chance to see a dentist until they are over two years old. But as we mentioned, the AAPD recommends that children have their first dental appointment much sooner than that. 

Ensure your children visit a Palo Alto pediatric dentist within six months of sprouting their very first tooth or by the age of one, whichever comes first. 

Usually, initial visits to the dental office are largely informative, and your children's dentist will offer you oral hygiene tips for your young one. More importantly, bringing your kid to the dentist will allow any potential issues to be caught and treated at a young age, averting these problems from worsening. 

Conclusion 

Helping kids develop good oral hygiene habits while they are still young is imperative. They can steer clear of many problems associated with poor oral health, including cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease. Begin developing those habits now, and help your kids reap the endless benefits for the rest of their lives.  

Above all, we cannot emphasize enough scheduling a visit to a Palo Alto pediatric dentist as soon as your child's first tooth emerges or by the age of one. Dentists can stay on the lookout for any abnormalities in the teeth, avoiding unnecessary dental complications later in life.