Even if your child has perfect teeth, it never hurts to know more about their dental health. Promoting oral hygiene early on helps ensure the proper development of your childâs teeth, and keeps them free from severe oral problems until they reach adulthood.
Here are some interesting facts about children’s dental health to get you started:
1. Children Start Losing Their Milk Teeth By The Age Of Six
An infant’s milk teeth start growing at the onset of their sixth month, with the cycle continuing until they reach the age of three or four. As a child’s jaw further develops, his/her milk teeth begin to fall out to make way for permanent teeth.
2. Proper Oral Hygiene Is A Must, Starting From Year One
From the moment your child is born, their dental health should already be a priority. Babies need to have their mouths free from bacteria by regularly wiping their gums clean cloth. Mothers also need to watch out for how they breastfeed their children, as improper practices can lead to tooth decay.
3. Bacteria Is The Culprit Behind Most Teething Troubles In Babies
Babies may experience diarrhea, excessive drooling, fever, and other mild complications during the eruption of their milk teeth. This is usually caused by bacteria coming from finger-sucking, breastfeeding, or chewed objects. Be sure to keep your children supervised at all times, and consult your doctors to help keep bacterial infections at bay.
4. Early Thumb-Sucking Can Lead To Dental Problems
Before a child’s first permanent tooth appears, it is recommended to avoid thumb-sucking at all costs. Constant thumb-sucking early on can negatively affect the alignment of teeth, the roof of the mouth, and the development of your child’s jaw.
5. Children Should Visit The Dentist As Soon As The First Tooth Erupts
It is imperative to start recording a dental history sooner as an introduction to the practice of good oral hygiene. Kids should also get used to visiting the dentist early on to prevent them from being at risk of dental anxiety and dental complications in the future.
6. An Annual Loss Of 51 Million School Hours Occurs Due To Dental Disorders
According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research report on the Oral Health in America, dental problems are among the leading causes of learning difficulties for children in educational institutions nationwide.
7. It Is Safe And Helpful To Use Dental Sealants For Most Kids
Depending on a child’s dental makeup, it is possible to apply dental sealants on the molars or baby teeth, particularly for children age 6 to 14. Sealants are quite helpful in fighting against tooth decay, but are entirely optional. To determine whether your child will need them or not, it is best to consult your dentist first.
The key takeaway to maintaining your child’s oral health lies in the practice of proper dental hygiene at all times. As long as you understand how these interesting facts about children’s dental health play out, you can consider yourself well-informed enough to deal with dentists and keep your child’s pearly whites as healthy as possible.
