15 Mar Making Sure Your Child’s Teeth Develop Correctly

Theage-oldadage that “prevention is better than cure” couldn’t be any more accurate than in the case of your child’s dental health and hygiene. By establishing sound oral habits early on and addressing any issues, you will be able to help your child to develop healthy teeth and gums that will stay that way throughout their lifetime.

Baby teeth and the “knock-on” effect

Along with “nipping in the bud” any bad habits that can lead to dental problems later in life, parents can also help their children by ensuring that their baby teeth are not neglected either. One of the biggest misconceptions among parents is that because they are not permanent, baby teeth, or milk teeth as they are also known don’t play a crucial role in long term dental health. This is, however, a serious misconception because they act as placeholders for the permanent teeth and as such they are crucial. In the following article,we look at how parents can help their children’s teeth to develop correctly.

The consequences of thumb sucking

Innocuous as it may seem, sucking of the thumbs, fingers, and even pacifiers can often have far-reaching consequences on dental health right into adulthood. One of the most prolific issues that arise from thumb sucking is speech problems. These are caused by a whole range of oral issues from misaligned teeth and uneven jawbones to an overbite and malformation of the roof of the mouth. Even once these serious issues have been addressed, many children also require corrective speech therapy.

Knocking it on the head

While thumb sucking is a natural practice with infants and isn’t likely to cause any issues unless it is carried on after the permanent teeth appear (erupt), it should be discouraged as early as possible. Breaking the habit isn’t always easy and parents often discover that positive encouragement works better than negative reactions that may simply serve to reinforce the practice as a comfort. Considering how damaging the habit can be, it can even be beneficial to seek professional help in the most difficult cases.

Protecting against tooth decay

Preventing tooth decay should really be a number one concern for parents that are seeking to give their children a head start towards good dental health. Once again, protecting the baby teeth will provide a good foundation for the development of the permanent teeth that are to follow. It is never too early to visit the dentist and doing so serves two useful purposes such as familiarizing your child with the dentist office and allowing your dentist to spot any potential of developing issues. The encouragement and development of early oral hygiene habits and sensible nutrition will also go a long way to helping too.

Intervention by a Dentist

Even after parents have considered all of the above concerning the dental health of their children, there may still be a need for the intervention of a dentist. Children’s bones and teeth are much more malleable than those of an adult and, therefore, more susceptible to misalignment issues. The good news is that for the same reason, they are often fairly easy to rectify too. Early diagnosis and intervention are key factors in the success of orthodontic treatments so it is crucial for parents to consult with such professionals as soon as they become aware of any problems.

If you have any questions concerning your own or your child’s dental health you should contact one of our friendly and knowledgeable team here at Signal Hill Dental Centre today. From paediatric and general dentistry to oral hygiene and cosmetic treatments, our team can provide them all.