4 Myths and Misconceptions About Pediatric Dentistry

Part of the parental responsibility is to instill good oral hygiene habits in your children. Proper dental care can help keep your kid’s teeth and gums healthy. However, most parents lose it after coming across the vast online misinformation on how best to take care of children’s teeth.

You may have received a lot of unsolicited advice from friends and family, some of which may be false. It may lead to confusion and contradictions, especially when it comes to pediatric dentistry. Our children’s dentists would love to dispel four of these misconceptions about your kid’s teeth that you should stop believing in.

1. Primary Teeth Are Not That Important

One of the most persistent misconceptions about baby teeth is that you do not have to look after them. After all, the teeth will fall out. However, ignoring dental care can lead to permanent damage called decay. The milk teeth provide an effective transition to solid and harder foods, and any decay on them may persist to adulthood. You may need to take your kid to a pediatric dentist to ensure that the teeth and gums remain healthy throughout their infancy and childhood stages.

2. Your Child Should Brush Their Teeth As Soon As Possible

While it can be nice to train your child to be independent, only allow it if they show responsibility and are physically capable of taking charge of their oral care. Proper dental care at their age is critical for healthier teeth and gums going into adulthood. The timeline may vary from one child to the other. Some may learn to brush their teeth by age six, while others may require assistance till they are nine or ten. Learn about your child’s capabilities and provide supervision until you are comfortable enough that they can take care of themselves.

3. Your Kids Don’t Need a Pediatric Dentist Until They Enter School

Some parents wrongfully believe that it is useless to see children’s dentists while their teeth will fall off in a few years. One in every five American kids never receives any dentistry care for kids. The American Dental Association recommends placing your child’s first dental appointment after the first tooth erupts and no later than their first birthday. The orthodontist for kids can advise on how best to care for their teeth, proper use of pacifiers, and thumb sucking. They may also refer you to a kid’s orthodontist if their teeth have signs of malocclusions.

4. Only Candies Can Cause Tooth Decay

You might think that only kids that consume candies in large quantities develop dental cavities. However, the frequency of taking sugary foods may have a larger impact than the quantity. The oral bacterial feed on the carbohydrates, converting them to acids that erode the enamel. You may also need to take care of other foods with high sugar quantities such as sports drinks, white bread, juice, and potato chips.

Also remember that certain chemicals including excess fluoride in water or toothpaste can damage a child’s teeth.

Schedule a Dental Appointment for Your Child Today

There is a lot of misinformation going around the internet on the best way to look after children’s teeth and gums. The best advice should come from your pediatric dentist after taking your kid for an inspection and routine teeth cleaning. For more accurate information on how best to take care of your child’s teeth, reach out to Jacaranda Smiles.