February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, which means there’s no better time to learn more about your child’s growing smile than now! With misinformation running rampant, it can be hard to tell fact from fiction when it comes to making the best decisions for your little one’s pearly whites. Read below to debunk the five most common children’s dental myths and boost the health of your favorite smile.
Myth #1: Cavities in Baby Teeth Aren’t a Big Deal
Although your baby’s temporary teeth are destined to fall out on their own, making room for their permanent teeth, it’s still important to keep them healthy. That’s because unchecked decay and dental disease can actually spread to the permanent teeth that are lying in wait underneath the gumline to emerge.
Myth #2: Fluoride Toothpaste Isn’t Necessary Until My Child Gets Older
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children begin using fluoridated toothpaste by the time their first tooth emerges. As they get older, the amount of fluoridated toothpaste you use will gradually grow, from a small grain of rice-sized amount as an infant to a pea-sized amount at age three. Then, between six and eight years old, they’ll graduate to a full adult-sized smear of toothpaste.
Myth #3: My Child is Ready to Brush Their Own Teeth
Even though your child may be able to talk and has great mobility, it still doesn’t mean that they’re ready to graduate to brushing and flossing their teeth on their own. Most dentists, as well as leading children’s dental health organizations, recommend brushing your child’s teeth until they hit double digits (10 years old). This is because before this time period, they likely won’t be effective at brushing the back molars and more difficult to reach surfaces of their teeth.
Myth #4: It’s Not Important for Babies to Visit the Dentist
Even though your baby may only have one tooth, visiting the dentist every six months is still an important part of their dental care routine. At these appointments, their children’s dentist in Fort Worth will check to make sure their smile is developing as it should be and teach them about good at-home oral hygiene habits.
Myth #5: Pacifiers & Thumb-Sucking are Bad for My Baby’s Teeth
While many parents believe that using pacifiers and thumb-sucking are bad news for their baby’s teeth, this simply isn’t true. These habits are coping mechanisms that they develop to help them feel safe and comforted, and they’re completely natural! However, once your child starts getting older and most of their temporary teeth have grown in, that’s when it starts to become an issue. Speak with their children’s dentist to learn the best time to begin breaking non-nutritive habits safely and effectively.
About the Author
Dr. Rhiannon Presley is the sole family dentist at Bonds Ranch Family Dentistry. She maintains the highest standards of care by being an active member of several professional dental organizations, including the Academy of General Dentistry, Texas Dental Association, and Texas Association of Women Dentists. Being a parent herself, she understands how nerve-wracking it can be trusting the health of your little one in another person’s hands, which is why she makes an extra effort to educate and collaborate with parents at every stage of their child’s oral development. For questions or to schedule an appointment, visit Bonds Ranch Family Dentistry’s website or call 817-242-5564.