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Oral health affects your children as much as you. Teeth play a critical role in speech, chewing, and eating, as they regulate specific processes necessary to ensure health and wellness. Read on to keep up with dental care for your children.

The Importance of Healthy Baby Teeth 

Your baby’s first set of teeth is an exciting milestone. The last thing you expect is cavities to develop soon after they appear. However, if you don’t follow proper dental care practices when caring for their teeth, it might cause significant problems affecting their permanent teeth in the long run.

According to research, everyday dental hygiene, such as brushing twice daily and eating habits, can influence your child’s oral health. This is why taking care of their teeth as soon as they appear can help achieve these critical processes:

• The formation and development of accurate speech.
• Learning proper chewing and swallowing habits.
• Maintaining strong enamel for healthy adult teeth.
• Reducing cavities and infections.

8 Common Dental Concerns for Children

As your child grows, they might be vulnerable to several changes affecting their dental health. Since your child’s teeth are still developing, it’s easier to prevent oral problems that can impact them when they’re adults. Here are common dental concerns to know so you can avoid them:

Cavities

In most cases, children struggle with brushing or flossing without your supervision. Their potentially sugar-heavy diet from sweets and snacks can increase the risk of decay-causing bacteria, leading to the formation of cavities. You should monitor how they brush their teeth to reduce cavities building up.

Tooth Sensitivity 

Various health or environmental factors can cause discomfort and tooth sensitivity as your child grows. This dental problem can affect your child’s focus at school. A dentist can offer several treatment options to reduce the pain and prevent it from getting worse.

Dental Emergencies

This common dental concern can occur when you least expect it. Kids enjoy outdoor play, which can increase the risk of dental injuries requiring emergency attention. In most cases, these accidents result in broken or cracked teeth that can lead to permanent tooth loss.

Gingivitis and Gum Disease

Research suggests that gingivitis and gum disease aren’t limited to adults but can occur aggressively in children with poor dental hygiene. Common symptoms include bleeding or swollen gums. Scheduling a dental checkup can help prevent severe health complications.

Orthodontic Challenges

Did you know that the structure of your child’s teeth can affect their digestive system? Each tooth has a function, such as biting, chewing, and grinding food, to ensure that food particles travel from your mouth to your stomach correctly. However, various factors such as genetics and the alignment, size and shape of the jaw can lead to oral hygiene issues.

Excessive Thumb Sucking 

Children commonly use thumb-sucking to soothe themselves even after they no longer rely on a pacifier. It’s not an extreme concern if their permanent teeth haven’t appeared. If you don’t help them break the habit, it might cause an overbite and speech difficulties.

Teeth Grinding 

Most children show signs of discomfort and pain when their permanent teeth erupt. They might clench or grind their teeth to ease tender and sore gums. If this habit continues, it can increase the risk of eroding tooth enamel, tooth decay or sensitivity.

Bad Breath 

Oral bacteria feed on left-over food particles by producing an acid that can leave a bad smell in your mouth. Bad breath is mostly worse in the morning and requires proper brushing and flossing to treat and prevent it. If the abnormal smell doesn’t go away, it might indicate an underlying significant health concern.

Preventing Dental Problems for Children 

Your child’s dental problems can be prevented by teaching them good oral hygiene habits. It can reduce the risk associated with harmful oral bacteria. These are the most effective ways to prevent dental problems for your children:

• Scheduling a dental appointment for a detailed mouth exam.
• Using proper brushing techniques.
• Reducing sugary drinks and snacks.
• Maintaining a balanced diet with leafy vegetables and fruits.
• Drinking water throughout the day.

You should start oral care early for your children to ensure they know how to brush and floss correctly. This helps to reduce several risks influenced by poor dental habits. Make the most of your Affinity Dental cover for essential and affordable dental care benefits for you and your loved ones.