Sep 23, 2020
Bad Habits that Can Harm Your Child’s Oral Health
Children rarely like brushing their teeth, much less flossing or using mouthwash. When you add that on top of bad oral habits such as nail-biting, thumb sucking, and prolonged pacifier use, your child will likely end up with dental problems sooner or later.
To keep your child’s teeth and gums healthy now and in the future, here are bad dental habits that you should help them break today:
- Not going to the dentist
We get it. Bringing an unwilling child to the dentist is one of the most tiring and stressful experiences that you can have as a parent. And when your child makes dentist appointments an absolute nightmare, you might become a little lax about bringing them to the clinic altogether.
However, neglecting regular appointments can lead to cavities, gum disease, and various other oral problems. Your child needs to go to the dentist every six months to have their mouth inspected and cleaned. If they exhibit dental anxiety, you can help ease their fear by bringing them to a kids’ dentist specializing in treating fearful youngsters.
- Thumb-sucking
Thumb-sucking is not likely to cause permanent damage to children that still have their baby teeth. However, it is best to wane them off the habit as early as possible before their permanent teeth come in. If they continue to suck their thumb when they get their permanent teeth at around 4 to 6, it can cause a misalignment in their teeth, leading to a myriad of other issues.
If your child continues to suck their thumb beyond four, it’s time to intervene. Use positive reinforcement to get them to stop the habit, and provide other forms of comfort if they suck their thumb as a response to stress.
- Extended use of pacifiers
Throw away the pacifiers once your baby reaches a year old. It’s best to break the habit at that early age before they reach their toddler years, wherein taking away the pacifier can be more challenging and stressful for both you and them. If your child continues to use a pacifier beyond babyhood, their teeth and jaw become more prone to developmental problems.
- Nail-biting
Nail-biting is a common habit for children, teens, and even some adults, but it can be just as harmful as other bad dental habits. If your child continually nibbles at their nails, they are more at risk of cracking or chipping their teeth, as well as damaging their gum tissue. In some cases, consistent nail-biting can even lead to bruxism, which is excessive teeth grinding or jaw clenching.
- Sucking on candy
It’s okay to let your child have a lollipop or a piece of hard candy from time to time, but make it an occasional treat. And even then, ensure that they drink water and brush their teeth after eating to remove most of the sugar from their mouth.
- Gnawing on objects
Pencils, pens, toys, and straws: many children have a habit of gnawing on these objects and more. This can cause wearing away of the tooth enamel, which can lead to sensitivity, damage, discoloration, and cupping (indentations on the teeth). Moreover, gnawing on dirty objects can introduce bacteria and illness-causing pathogens into the mouth, especially if said object has fallen to the ground.
To discourage your children from chewing on objects, educate them about the dangers of putting dirty things in their mouths. Simultaneously, remind them to stop the habit whenever you see them chewing on something.
- Brushing teeth roughly
If your child brushes their teeth with too much force, they might be doing more harm than good. Brushing too roughly can damage teeth and gums, which, in turn, can lead to wearing away of enamel and tooth sensitivity, among other oral problems. So if your child has this habit, retrain them on how to brush their teeth properly with gentle yet firm strokes. Better yet, brush your teeth side-by-side so that they can see how to do it properly.
Children usually take good dental habits into adulthood, which can help them avoid dental problems in the future. So as you teach your child how to take care of their teeth properly, look out for the bad things that they do. Doing so, you can decrease their risk of developing oral problems, which they can also bring into adulthood.
Meta title: 7 Bad Dental Habits that Your Child Needs to Break ASAP
Meta description: Do your kids tend to bite their fingernails? Thrust their tongues? Suck their thumbs? Here are common dental habits and why you should break them.
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