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Welcome back to our two-part article series on the oral health care of your children. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, tooth decay is one of the most common of all the chronic diseases that affects children ranging between the ages of 6 and 11 and teenagers, aged 12 to 19. What this essentially tells us is that we’re not taking care of our children’s teeth properly and we’re not showing them how to look after their own teeth either. “Oral healthcare needs to start as early as possible with proper flossing, brushing and regular dental appointments,” stress Chicago dental implant specialists. “Otherwise our children are going to grow up with damaged smiles and damaged self-esteems.” In this article, the second installment of the series, we shall examine the Chicago dental implant specialist’s remaining five tips for your children’s oral health. 3. Chicago Dental Implant Specialist Advice: Avoid Baby Bottles Putting your child to bed with a bottle of milk, juice or formula can have devastating consequences for their oral health. “These liquids contain sugar, which encourages the growth of bacteria in the mouth. Bacteria produce acidic waste products which, in turn, erode away at the dental enamel causing cavities and decay,” explains the Chicago dental implant specialist. “You wouldn’t fall asleep with food in your mouth and we shouldn’t let our children do the same. If they’re thirsty before they go to bed, give them cool water.” 4. Chicago Dental Implant Specialist Advice: No More Sippy Cups A similar problem to the bed-time bottle is the ‘sippy cup’. “Instead of being given water to drink when they’re thirsty, children are handed a sippy cup full of acidic and sugar-rich juice or soda,” says the Chicago dental implant specialist. This cup is designed to prevent spills, while teaching children to drink from a cup instead of a bottle. The problem with the sippy cup is that it promotes the lengthy exposure of a child’s teeth to sugar and acid. “Many children come into the dental offices with decay on the back of their front teeth, which is a direct result of this technology,” says the Chicago dental implant specialist. Children should be drinking water when they’re thirsty. Juice and soda should be seen as a treat. 5. Chicago Dental Implant Specialist Advice: Pacifier Graduation Age “Pacifiers are very useful and even essential tools for babies, but at age 2, it’s time to retire the binky,” says the Chicago dental implant specialist. “Long term use can affect bite occlusion, mouth shape and the way the top and bottom dental arches line up.” If your child has been using a pacifier beyond the age of 3, it would be wise to have a professional evaluation of your child’s oral health. 6. Chicago Dental Implant Specialist Advice: Bad Medicines Your children may prefer flavored and sugary medicine, but this could be increasing their risk of tooth decay. Try to opt for sugar-free drops, syrups, pills and vitamins. “If your child is on chronic medication for heart problems or asthma, you should mention this to your dental healthcare professional,” urges the Chicago dental implant specialist. “Tooth decay is certainly more prevalent amongst children who take certain chronic medications and they will need the appropriate care.” 7. Chicago Dental Implant Specialist Advice: Remember, You’re the Boss! “A proper home oral hygiene routine is easy to maintain if you have your child’s co-operation,” says the Chicago dental implant specialist. “But this might be your biggest challenge.” Children can get stubborn about brushing their teeth properly or brushing their teeth at all, so it will be up to you as parent to enforce the rules. “Remember, you’re the boss: your kids don’t have a choice as far as looking after their teeth are concerned. If they don’t brush and floss properly, there must be consequences they can understand,” says the Chicago dental implant specialist.
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