If you’re worried about your child’s dental health, there are some clear signs of poor oral health to watch out for. From dental pain and bad breath to sore, swollen, or bleeding gums, dental symptoms can be more than just annoying. Here, we cover some signs of poor oral health and ways to make taking care of teeth fun and engaging for children.
Signs of Poor Oral Health in Children
Some signs of poor oral health in children can include tartar buildup around the teeth and gums, a sore, receding, or swollen gum line, bad breath, and of course, dental pain. While cavities are a sign of poor oral health, it can be hard to notice cavities without dental training unless they’re causing obvious pain or have progressed to the stage where they are quite large.
If your child has loose adult teeth or complains of persistent dental pain, this can also be a sign of poor oral health and indicate you should visit a dentist as soon as possible. As with most dental concerns, early detection can greatly reduce complications, meaning getting your child’s dental care back on track is crucial to their long-term oral health.
Ways to Improve Oral Health in Children
One of the ways to improve your child’s oral health is by teaching them to brush their teeth for two minutes twice daily. Teaching your child to floss properly can also help preserve oral health and prevent cavities. If your child has difficulty flossing or finds it boring or annoying, try getting replaceable floss picks. These picks make flossing fun and come in fun shapes like dinosaurs or other animals to encourage your child to floss their teeth. You should also invest in an alcohol-free mouthwash.
Another way to improve your child’s oral health is to ensure they visit the dentist at least twice a year for routine dental hygiene appointments. Regular dental cleanings can help preserve oral health in children and allow your dental team to notice problems before they become serious and treat any dental concerns early on.
Your dentist can help teach your child the proper way to brush their teeth and the importance of oral hygiene. If you struggle to get your child to clean their teeth, your dental team may have suggestions on how to incentivize good oral health. Offering rewards like stickers, sugar-free candy, or fun outings can all be ways to encourage your child to brush their teeth twice a day.
Building good oral health habits in children doesn’t have to be a struggle. By prioritizing your child’s dental health and working to impart the importance of good dental hygiene, you can set your child up for a lifetime of success. If you’re looking for a pediatric dentist, check out Smile First Pediatric Dentistry or call us at (631) 563-7462 to schedule an appointment. We work closely with children and their caregivers to start good dental health habits that benefit kids for their entire lives.
We look forward to seeing you soon.
Source(s):
https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/basics/childrens-oral-health/index.html