By Alicia Rennoll
When it comes to oral health, Florida’s lack of dental care has not been a shining example. The state has recently been ranked 44th in the country for its poor dental health, according to the personal finance website Wallethub. In addition to the higher cost of dental care and lack of available dentists in the state, cities in Florida also ranked poorly for the number of teens and younger children who had visited the dentist regularly. This highlights the increasing need to teach good dental habits to children from a young age, and for parents to encourage children to take responsibility for such an important aspect of their daily health. Practicing poor dental hygiene can not only lead to chronic gum disease, but also places children at an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and even stroke. Implementing simple everyday changes from a young age is the perfect way to promote good dental health early in life and help children adopt good practices well into adulthood.
Early And Regular Dental Visits Can Reduce Dental Anxiety
Dental phobia or anxiety is a common reason cited by both children and adults for the irregularity in their visits to their dentist. Around 20 percent of school-aged children are afraid to visit the dentist. A good way to combat this is to start their visits to the dentist from an early age and to make the experience as pleasant as possible. Parents can do this by being mindful of how they speak to children about the dentist, and avoiding trigger words such as “painful” or “hurts”. In addition, telling children about upcoming dental appointments ahead of time will give them a chance to ask any questions they may want to.
If a parent notices any signs of nervousness, it is wise to let the dentist know of possible dental phobia so they can work at making them feel at ease. Ideally, parents will want to go to a dentist that specializes in young patients like those attached to the Florida Department of Health in Washington County. These professionals are trained in dealing with younger patients and anxiety around dental visits or fears about orthodontic treatment. They are also better equipped to calmly explain to a child what to expect during a visit to be fitted with braces, including providing advice on a child and bracket friendly diet to make life with braces less intimidating to children.
The Allowance Of Choices And Involvement Can Promote Interest
By the age of 6, children can brush their teeth themselves. However, they can still get involved before then by choosing their dental accessories such as their toothpaste, toothbrush and mouthwash. With more dental companies creating personalized children’s dental tools, the range of tools for kids to choose from has never been wider.
A good way to do this is to assign this responsibility to children during the weekly/monthly shop. Once they are aged 6 or 7, children can take the reins when brushing as well (although they may sometimes need some reminding or a check after brushing). According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, children aged between 5 and 8 years old are on the cusp of becoming independent about their dental health, but still require parental supervision.
Education Of A Good Dental Diet Leads To Sensible Food Choices
Along with maintaining good dental habits, the foods eaten in both childhood and adulthood have been shown to have a large impact on the state of our teeth. Calcium-rich foods such as milk and yogurt help to strengthen both the teeth and bones, while vitamin C promotes good gum health and is found in citrus fruits, peppers and berries. Educating children on healthy eating habits and the reasons for them is likely to be more effective than simply imposing a colorful diet on them. Studies have also shown that spending time with children and getting them involved in the food preparation process from a young age can positively impact their choices to reach for fresh fruit and vegetables instead of sugar-laden snacks. It has been shown that sugar interacts with the bacteria within plaque to produce acid, which then dissolves the enamel (outer layer) of the teeth.
Utilizing Timed Toothbrushes And Other Technological Innovations In Dental Health
Most experts recommend that children brush their teeth for 2 minutes and at least twice a day. For younger kids, keeping track of this can prove difficult. To aid parents in this, they can opt for a battery-powered toothbrush that comes equipped with a timer. Some models come equipped with a screen, while others have sensors and motion alerts that vibrate in 30-second intervals to let kids know to switch their brushing direction and when it is time to stop. There are also toothbrushes with bristles that change color when it is time to change the brush. According to experts, toothbrushes should be changed every 3 months.
If a child is using a manual toothbrush, an alternative could be making use of a phone timer. Alternatively, the use of images can help teach a child where and how to brush properly. This is a great way for parents to communicate with young kids or children with disabilities and help them gain independence in their daily lives.
Good dental habits start from as early as we can imitate them and last for the rest of our lives. Providing children with a strong foundation in dental health habits teaches them the importance of keeping their teeth healthy, and equips them with the tools and habits to maintain good oral health well into adulthood.