{"id":84,"date":"2024-02-02T16:23:55","date_gmt":"2024-02-02T16:23:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drlindasteele.com\/blog\/?p=84"},"modified":"2024-03-14T16:26:53","modified_gmt":"2024-03-14T16:26:53","slug":"why-childrens-dental-health-month-matters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drlindasteele.com\/blog\/why-childrens-dental-health-month-matters\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Children\u2019s Dental Health Month Matters<\/strong>"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Many of us associate February with the heart-shaped decorations and goodies of Valentine\u2019s Day. Did you know, though, that it\u2019s also Children\u2019s Dental Health Month? What better time to remind parents of their kid\u2019s oral well-being than when candy and chocolate are lining every store shelf? It\u2019s a great time to remember that to keep their smiles safe, they need to care for them properly to prevent potential problems<\/a>. Keep reading to learn more about how you can improve your child\u2019s dental health this month!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Misconceptions About Children\u2019s Dental Health<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, some common false beliefs about children\u2019s dental care are known to influence how parents approach their kids\u2019 at-home oral hygiene routines, including myths about tooth decay and gum disease.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tooth Decay<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s often believed that children don\u2019t have to worry as much about brushing and flossing because their mouths are full of primary (or baby) teeth that will eventually fall out anyway. Unfortunately, this is a harmful misunderstanding that can impact your little one\u2019s overall oral condition. For example, more than half of kids between 6 and 8 years old have already had cavities in one of their baby teeth. Many parents don\u2019t realize that tooth decay is contagious. It can travel to neighboring teeth and even impact their jawbone which can harm their adult teeth that have yet to grow in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gum Disease<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Did you know that children and infants can develop gum disease even before any teeth erupt? Harmful bacteria can thrive in their mouths and cause problems just by nursing naturally or drinking from a bottle. Plus, infants are prone to exploring their world by putting germy objects in their mouths. Their gums can become infected which can spread to the roots of their teeth, even if they\u2019re still below the gumline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can I Improve My Child\u2019s Dental Health?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Some tips for helping your little one keep their grin safe include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For babies:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n