Do as I say, not as I do is one of the least effective parenting methods.
When it comes to dental health, however, not all parents model what good dental hygiene looks like. If, for instance, your children do not see you brushing your teeth several times a day or they know that you never go to the dentist, if may be difficult to convince your children the importance of taking care of their teeth.
Unfortunately, children who do not have good dental health may also become victims of other important circumstances as well. For instance, did you know that children with poor oral health are 3 times more likely to miss school as a result of dental pain? The chronic problem of school absenteeism is a red flag, indicating that some of these same children may be putting themselves at risk for success later in life. Pediatric dental care is important to the health of your child, and the suucess of his or her future.
- A recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicated that 19% of children between the ages of two to 19 have untreated dental cavities.
- How many times a day and for how long do you brush your teeth? If a parent models good dental habits like brushing your teeth in the morning and at night before going to bed, as well as after all meals, children will learn the importance of good dental care. Some parents even go so far as to teach their children to sing the ABC’s during tooth brushing to make sure that they are taking their time and doing a thorough job.
- Every appointment at a pediatric dentistry office is important. It is an opportunity to show your child that you take dental health seriously and that you listen and follow the advice of the pediatric dentistry staff.
- Approximately 42% of children between the ages of two and 11 have had cavities in their primary teeth, according to a study by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.
- Looking for the best options for pediatric dental care in your area should be an important parenting decisions. Some possible resources for making this decision could be talking to other parents, or even asking your pediatrician where his or her children go to the dentist.
- The likelihood of your child needing braces may increase if you had to have braces yourself. With today’s improved methods, however, many pediatric orthodontics procedures are less painful and cumbersome.
- Helping your child prepare for the kids first pediatric dentist appointment is important. Helpful videos and can help you introduce your child to this health habit that is very important. Pediatric dental treatments can seem alarming to some children, but the best pediatric dentistry staffs are well trained in making children feel safe and comfortable.
- You are the most important and influential role model that your child will have. If you model good dental health, it is more likely that your children will follow your lead and make pediatric dentistry a priority for their children in the future.
- Studies in children indicate that sealants can reduce decay in the permanent molars by 81% for a full two years after they are placed on the tooth. In fact, some research indicates that they can continue to be effective for as long as four years after placement
- Many parents understand that tooth decay and dental cavities are 20 times more common than diabetes and five times more common than childhood asthma. For this reason, dental health should be an important focus of a parent’s attention as you look to maintain a children’s overall health.
- If your child is younger than the age of two, you should not use fluoride toothpaste unless your doctor or dentist recommends it.
- Letting your children know early in life that you see dental health as a priority will set them up for a life time of healthy dental care and habits.
- Even with the wide ranging availability of pediatric dentistry, studies indicate that more than 40% of children have dental cavities by the time they reach kindergarten.
How about it? Do you know the date and time of child’s next dental appointment?
