{"id":88,"date":"2024-03-04T16:50:16","date_gmt":"2024-03-04T16:50:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drlindasteele.com\/blog\/?p=88"},"modified":"2024-04-05T16:52:49","modified_gmt":"2024-04-05T16:52:49","slug":"early-illusions-3-myths-about-childrens-dental-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drlindasteele.com\/blog\/early-illusions-3-myths-about-childrens-dental-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Early Illusions: 3 Myths About Children\u2019s Dental Health<\/strong>"},"content":{"rendered":"
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As your child\u2019s guardian, you\u2019re responsible for their mental, emotional, and physical well-being, and their teeth are no exception. Unfortunately, there are several commonly held misconceptions about pediatric dentistry that could lead you to make decisions that aren\u2019t based in fact. It\u2019s important to be well-informed so you can take the necessary steps to keep your kid\u2019s mouth healthy<\/a> as they continue to develop. Keep reading to learn about 3 myths about your little one\u2019s dental well-being and the truth behind them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Myth #1: You Don\u2019t Need to Brush Baby Teeth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many parents believe that there\u2019s no need to worry about consistently brushing their kid\u2019s baby teeth because they eventually fall out anyway. Did you know, though, that up to 42% of children between 2 to 11 years old have had a cavity in one of their primary teeth? This can be problematic because tooth decay is contagious and can spread to other teeth, including permanent ones that haven\u2019t erupted yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thankfully, cavities can be avoided with a consistent at-home dental routine. Your whole family should be brushing and flossing their pearly whites at least twice daily as part of a regular regimen. If your child resists, you might encourage them by having them pick out a decorated toothbrush and a fun-flavored toothpaste. Using a product that\u2019s fortified with fluoride can also tooth decay by strengthening their enamel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myth #2: Fruit Juice in a Sippy Cup Won\u2019t Hurt Their Teeth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it\u2019s perfectly safe to consume in moderate amounts, too much fruit juice can be problematic for your kid because of the sugar content. The unhealthy bacteria in their mouths are attracted to this sweet ingredient and release acids as they thrive that wear down enamel. Not only that but if they\u2019re sipping it slowly for hours on end from a sippy cup, their teeth are being overly exposed and are more likely to develop problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To prevent tooth decay, try to moderate how much fruit juice your child consumes. Milk and water are both great alternatives that contribute to their dental health rather than detract from it. The former contains calcium that strengthens their teeth while the latter has a neutral pH value to counteract potential acid damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myth #3: Only Sweets Causes Cavities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although sugar is particularly harmful when it comes to your child\u2019s smile, it\u2019s not the only danger. High-carb and starchy foods like crackers, cereal, and bread break down into sugar in their mouth which can be just as destructive. Many prepackaged options marketed to youths fall into this category. Instead of giving them cookies or wafers, why not substitute them for a healthier snack like yogurt, fruits, or veggies? Oranges contain vitamin C to support the connective tissue in their gums, and many vegetables contain calcium and other nutrients that protect their pearly whites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By making a few minor changes to their habits, you can help keep your child\u2019s grin in top condition for years to come!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Author<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Linda Steele has almost 3 full decades of experience providing a full range of services to children at all stages of dental development. She completed her Doctor of Dental Surgery at Baylor College of Dentistry and then underwent a pediatric residency at Children\u2019s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, MO. She uses a gentle and compassionate approach so that you and your little one feel comfortable throughout your appointment. With advanced technology onsite, she can quickly identify any potential problems and provide individualized treatments to meet your kid\u2019s unique needs. If you\u2019d like an appointment, you\u2019re welcome to request one on the website<\/a> or by calling (972) 640-7432.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As your child\u2019s guardian, you\u2019re responsible for their mental, emotional, and physical well-being, and their teeth are no exception. Unfortunately, there are several commonly held misconceptions about pediatric dentistry that could lead you to make decisions that aren\u2019t based in fact. It\u2019s important to be well-informed so you can take the necessary steps to keep […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nEarly Illusions: 3 Myths About Children\u2019s Dental Health | Dr. Linda Steele<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Continue reading to learn about 3 commonly believed myths about children\u2019s dental health and the truths behind them!\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.drlindasteele.com\/blog\/early-illusions-3-myths-about-childrens-dental-health\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"Early Illusions: 3 Myths About Children\u2019s Dental Health | Dr. Linda Steele\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"Continue reading to learn about 3 commonly believed myths about children\u2019s dental health and the truths behind them!\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.drlindasteele.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/AdobeStock_231187645-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.drlindasteele.com\/blog\/early-illusions-3-myths-about-childrens-dental-health\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.drlindasteele.com\/blog\/early-illusions-3-myths-about-childrens-dental-health\/\",\"name\":\"Early Illusions: 3 Myths About Children\u2019s Dental Health | Dr. Linda Steele\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.drlindasteele.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.drlindasteele.com\/blog\/early-illusions-3-myths-about-childrens-dental-health\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.drlindasteele.com\/blog\/early-illusions-3-myths-about-childrens-dental-health\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.drlindasteele.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/AdobeStock_231187645-300x200.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-03-04T16:50:16+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-04-05T16:52:49+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.drlindasteele.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/dba9f48b343f18cca7d2af384aba8491\"},\"description\":\"Continue reading to learn about 3 commonly believed myths about children\u2019s dental health and the truths behind them!\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.drlindasteele.com\/blog\/early-illusions-3-myths-about-childrens-dental-health\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.drlindasteele.com\/blog\/early-illusions-3-myths-about-childrens-dental-health\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.drlindasteele.com\/blog\/early-illusions-3-myths-about-childrens-dental-health\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.drlindasteele.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/AdobeStock_231187645-scaled.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.drlindasteele.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/AdobeStock_231187645-scaled.jpg\",\"width\":2560,\"height\":1707},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.drlindasteele.com\/blog\/early-illusions-3-myths-about-childrens-dental-health\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.drlindasteele.com\/blog\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Early Illusions: 3 Myths About Children\u2019s Dental Health\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.drlindasteele.com\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.drlindasteele.com\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"Linda A. 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