5 Bad Dental Habits Hurting Your Kids
Healthy dental habits in children take time to develop, but parents need to prevent bad habits from starting and causing kids later dental issues. Learn how to cure bad dental habits your kids may have.
1. Not Going to the Dentist
Many parents believe that kids don’t need to see a dentist until their child experiences a dental problem. In reality, regular dental check-ups are a cornerstone of good dental care. In addition to giving your child a professional cleaning, dental check-ups can prevent later dental problems and detect any bad dental habits or other issues at their earliest stages when they’re easier to treat. Make sure to take your child for dental check-ups twice a year to give them a head start on a healthy smile.
2. Swallowing Toothpaste After Brushing
Children learn at an early age that brushing their teeth is part of good dental care. But since the toothpaste tastes good to encourage kids to brush, they often end up swallowing it as if it were candy. Many parents think this is harmless and are just happy that their kids are brushing their teeth and practicing good dental care. But it’s actually one of the most troubling bad dental habits because excessive intake of fluoride through swallowing can cause brown spots on the child’s teeth called fluorosis.
3. Sucking Their Thumb for Too Long
When parents ask how to cure bad dental habits, they’re usually talking about thumb sucking. It’s such a common childhood habit that many parents assume they have no choice but to wait until their child outgrows it. But if it becomes a regular habit, it can cause teeth to shift forward and misalign their bite. This can lead to later problems with talking, pronunciation, chewing, and cleaning that require orthodontic treatment.
4. Going to Bed with Baby Bottles Full of Juice or Milk
When your kids go to bed with a bottle full of milk or juice, the sugars in these drinks remain on their teeth for hours. This can lead to dental decay and discolored teeth over time. So how do you cure bad dental habits like this in your child? Simply rinse their mouth first thing in the morning to remove the sugars from the surface of teeth. You can also add water to their nighttime juice to lower its sugar content.
5. Using Their Teeth to Trim Their Fingernails
Many young kids use their teeth as tools to trim their overgrown nails. Unfortunately, this can damage their delicate tooth enamel and cause teeth sensitivity by exposing the tooth’s delicate root. But you can regularly cut the child's nails to prevent this problem from starting.
To get the dental care you deserve from an affordable dentist in Michigan, call Gentle Dental of Michigan today at or make an appointment.
Gentle Dental of Michigan offers affordable family dentistry and gentle, compassionate dental care in Michigan. With 4 affiliated practices throughout Michigan, our offices are conveniently located with extended hours to meet your needs. At Gentle Dental of Michigan, we provide most dental services, from basic preventative care and general dentistry to specialized procedures and complete dental reconstruction. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Patient satisfaction is our top priority and we strive to provide the exceptional, affordable dental care and personal touch that lead to lasting relationships. A smiling patient is our greatest reward and we look forward to keeping those smiles healthy, beautiful, and bright. Discover an affordable dentist who truly cares at Gentle Dental of Michigan.
