Lifestyle Habits to Promote Healthy Teeth from a Kids Dentist

Kids' dentists focus on preventing and treating issues threatening a child's oral health. Though commonly overlooked compared to the rest of the body, teeth are organs that require special care to function properly. Learn more about how you can promote better oral health in your kids as they develop and age.

Avoid vaping

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of 2023, over 2.1 million students use electronic cigarettes or vapes, 550,000 of whom are middle schoolers and 1.56 million of whom are high school students. These numbers are staggering and can affect them in many ways, including their oral health.

According to reports published by the National Institute of Health (NIS), there have been increasing links connecting e-cigarettes and vaping to periodontal (gum) disease, as well as reducing the body's natural ability to produce saliva. Saliva is necessary to carry away bacteria and comprises antioxidant properties that act as a line of defense for the body's internal systems.

Balanced diet

Kids dentists aid parents in setting the foundation for children's oral health. This includes making diet recommendations to support the overall health of the body. Remember, the teeth are ectodermal organs, which means they rely on other body systems, including the digestive system, to remain healthy. Aside from the obvious of avoiding sugar, kids dentists may stress patients are frequently consuming the following:

• Water
• Fruits without acid
• Vegetables
• Beans
• Beef
• Fatty fish
• Chicken
• Low-fat or fat-free dairy products

Mouthguards

Building an open, trustworthy relationship with a kids' dentist is important so they are aware of lifestyle changes. The dentist can quickly fix oral appliances such as mouthguards to protect those who are more active or grind their teeth from external forces. Mouthguards prevent damage from trauma or general wear and tear.

Maintaining dental appointments

This tip helps set kids up for their future. Maintaining biannual dental appointments, as recommended by the American Pediatric Dental Association, helps pediatric dentists stay ahead of any abnormalities and developmental delays as it relates to oral health. A kids dentist is specially trained in spotting areas that need improvement and pose a significant risk to children's oral health. For example, patients as young as six months can contract gum disease. It is not always noticeable and often has a way of sneaking up on kids. Still, if left to run rampant in the mouth, the damage can be irreversible, negatively impacting the teeth, soft tissues, and underlying jawbone.

Proper oral care techniques

We cannot stress enough the importance of proper oral care techniques and appropriate oral care products. As kids grow and develop, their oral care needs change. Therefore, while they may once have needed a soft-bristle toothbrush, they will eventually need a medium-bristled one. However, their daily oral care techniques should go as follows to decrease the chances of decay and disease significantly:

• Brush morning and night
• Use a non-alcoholic, antibacterial mouth rinse
• Floss after every meal or at least every night