As a parent, you want your child to be healthy and happy. However, if you want your child to have healthy primary teeth, good oral hygiene habits should begin as early as infancy. In addition to visiting a family dentist in South Florida, one of the best ways to help your child achieve a healthy mouth is by helping them avoid early childhood dental issues. What are these issues? Keep reading to find out!
If a baby’s teeth are exposed too often to sugars, they are at risk for tooth decay. This includes sugars from drinks such as juice, milk, and formula. These sugary drinks can damage or decay baby teeth, which can lead to dental problems later in life. If your baby goes to sleep with a bottle, help them avoid this dental issue by giving them only a small amount of water.
While it’s acceptable and normal for young infants to suck their thumbs or fingers, dental problems can arise if this habit continues past age 5. Thumb sucking can cause teeth to become misaligned and create an overbite. Luckily, positive reinforcement can help your older child give up this habit.
When it comes to the health of your child’s smile, there is no better time than the present to start practicing excellent oral hygiene. The later you start taking care of their primary teeth, the greater the odds they have at developing early childhood dental issues. Ensure optimal dental health for both you and your child by requesting a reservation with TLC Dental’s experienced family dentist in South Florida today!
