How bad oral health affects a child? Your kids can suffer from cavities, pain, low self-esteem, and more!

As a parent, it’s vital to consider your child’s oral health your utmost priority. When you start taking care of those tiny pearls from an early age, it’s easy to maintain oral health. 

When you see the first tooth, it’s time to focus on your child’s oral health. But, first, take your child to the dentist to ensure everything is alright. 

However, when oral health is not in check, and you’re letting it go for some time, it can affect your child’s life in many ways. 

For example: 

Cavities And Pain 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tooth decay is common in children in the United States. This chronic disease, however, is preventable. Talk to your dentist about what toothpaste and toothbrush to use. Your dentist can guide you on how to brush your child’s teeth and teach them too. 

Instill good oral hygiene from an early age. Your children deserve the best treatment and care from you. It’s your responsibility to take care of their tiny pearls. When you teach them how to care for their selves, they can enjoy a better life as an adult. 

Miss School Days 

Your child may need to miss school days because of a problem with oral health. You would need to schedule appointments with the dentist, which means your child won’t be attending school on those days, especially if they need treatment. 

However, focus on professional teeth cleaning, especially if you notice your child’s teeth changing color or appearing dirty. Brush the teeth twice a day for two minutes to avoid any absence! 

Impact On Self-Esteem And Social Life 

When children go to school and have poor oral hygiene, others may notice it. Thus, it can affect their self-esteem and social life. Other kids may make fun of them, especially if they notice bad breath or discoloration of the teeth. 

You would never want to put your kid in a challenging situation, so it’s best to teach them how to take care of their oral health. When kids start taking care of their oral hygiene properly from an early age, it can help them in the long run. 

Difficulty Sleeping At Night 

When kids face pain from cavities, it is hard for them to sleep peacefully at night. So when you don’t want to rely on pain killers and medicines, it’s best to focus on your children’s oral hygiene. 

If your child is not getting a good night’s sleep, it will be hard for them to enjoy their day. So, everything is connected, and you can see how oral health can affect your child’s life. 

Impact On The Speech 

When there is too much pain to bear, your kid may not want to talk, or it would be hard for them to talk! So naturally, you don’t want to see your child in such a situation, so the best thing you can do today is to give them the gift of taking care of oral hygiene. 

If you don’t want any impact on your child’s speech, it’s wise to focus on their oral health. However, if you notice that your child’s speed is getting affected or if they are complaining of any issue, it’s best to talk to your dentist. 

Possibility of Tooth Loss

Photo by Ivan Babydov

Neglecting oral health for too long can lead to cavities. If you don’t do anything about the cavities, you can expect a root canal and crowns, which can be painful for a child. However, tooth loss is possible if you don’t seek a dentist on time and when it’s too late because extraction would become necessary.

It’s easy to let go of oral health, thinking that not brushing your teeth twice a day may not make much difference, or you could be irregular in the routine. In any case, taking care of your child’s precious teeth is vital. You can’t let their teeth rot. 

Tips to Keep In Mind for A Child’s Oral Health

If your kids resist maintaining oral health or if you find it hard to focus on a routine, consider the following: 

• Buy toothbrushes and toothpaste that are catchy in appearance. You can get the ones that are your child’s favorite cartoon character or action figure. 
• Encourage your kids to keep their teeth healthy by being role models in front of them. 
• Brush together and have fun! Make funny noises while brushing your teeth. Try making brushing time their favorite time of the day. 
• Teach your kids the correct technique for brushing their teeth. They must brush twice a day for two minutes. If you find it challenging, ask your dentist to teach them. They are experts, and they know how to guide kids. 
• Don’t forget about regular dental checkups. As soon as you see the first tooth in your baby’s mouth, it’s best to consult a dentist. When visiting the dentist, you would feel confident about being on the safe side. 

There is too much online information, articles, home remedies, DIY, and whatnot. It’s best to get recommendations from your dentist. Your dentist knows what’s best for your child’s oral health. 

You can expect better oral health from the kids when you focus on teaching about the significance of oral health from an early age. So, start teaching small kids about brushing their teeth and show them videos of their favorite characters talking about the importance of oral hygiene and brushing teeth regularly. 

Wrapping It Up 

It’s best to be mindful of your kid’s oral health. Children learn from you, so you have to be their role models. So it would be easy for the kids to follow you. Talk to your dentist if you spot a cavity or if your child is complaining of cavity or pains. Not taking care of your child’s oral health can lead to many issues. When you don’t want to see your kid in pain, the best thing to do is focus on the importance of oral hygiene.