During the course of my three-decade career in dental care, I have been fortunate enough to work with many patients of all ages. During my career, I have also learned quite a few things that I have carried with me. An especially pivotal time for me was when I interned at the Montreal Children’s Hospital. During this internship, I saw first-hand how important it was for children to learn and practice proper dental healthcare. As important as it was at the time, that knowledge only strengthened as I progressed and dealt with more and more adult patients.
While some oral health conditions are obviously genetic, a lot of them can be prevented. We’ve all heard the saying that “an ounce of prevention is worth a gallon of cure” right? That very much applies to oral health as well.
If you’re a parent, consider that positive oral health habits in children can prevent things such as cavities. On top of the obvious discomfort cavities can cause, they can also be expensive to deal with – especially if your child or children have several cavities. As your child gets older and grows into adulthood, these are expenses they can avoid themselves as well.
Regarding the expense, keep in mind that the longer something is left untreated, the more it may cost to fix.
Beyond the expense, the other thing to consider is that some oral health problems can be prevented. Health issues such as gum disease are examples. Many people I’ve spoken to over the years have been shocked to learn that gum disease can lead to a host of other health problems.
These problems include things such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and irritable bowel syndrome.
It’s also important to consider the mental health aspect. Kids have a hard enough time in social situations as most of their peers don’t have an internal filter. If a child does have oral health issues, such as bad breath or bad teeth caused by gum disease, your child may suffer bullying by other kids or feel self-conscious and anxious.
So, having said all that, you can help your child prevent these health issues as well as set them up for a solid foundation for the future. Do anything enough times in a routine, and it becomes habit forming. Things like that will carry over for the rest of their lives.
Teach your children to brush and floss at least twice a day. Do it with them if you can to help encourage them. Even try to set up a goal, such as encouraging your child to do this for 100 days in a row and rewarding them for it. It’s also imperative to maintain regular dental appointments.
We all want the best for our children. Hopefully, these tips and reminders will help you prepare your children for a happy and orally healthy life.