The Importance of Dental Health Education for Parents

You are your child’s first teacher and your home is his first school.

Apart from teaching your kid his ABCs and good manners, there is another important thing that you should teach your child: the importance of taking care of his teeth and gums.

That can be a tough challenge for many parents. One reason behind that is because there are plenty of misconceptions and downright incorrect information going around. It also does not help that some health findings from the past have changed with new discoveries.

As a parent, it is your duty to clear up these misconceptions and find accurate and reliable information that you can use to teach your kid to take better care not only of his oral health but also of his overall health and wellness which are tied to the health of his teeth and gums.

What is the importance of dental health education for parents? In order to answer that question, all you need to do is to look at the numbers. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry or AAPD, about one in three children aged two to five years old is affected by tooth decay. And when a child is affected by tooth decay at an early age, it is more likely that he will suffer from this oral health condition later on in life.

If you wish to brush up on your knowledge of dental health, your best ally would be your dentist. Your dentist can provide you with accurate information regarding oral health and dispel some of the misconceptions about this vital matter.

Apart from finding reliable and accurate information on dental health, there are four important things that parents should learn and teach their kids.

Limit sugary treats

Sugar is the number one enemy of human teeth. And as a parent, you should do your best to limit your child’s intake of sugar, either in the form of treats or beverages. The more your child consumes these foods and beverages, the more your child is exposed to potential damage to his teeth. Remember, the sugar and acids on these foods and drinks can damage teeth.

Don’t let baby sleep with a bottle

Your baby may have grown accustomed to sleeping with a bottle of milk or juice. However, this habit can undermine his oral health as the sugar in milk and juices can cause tooth decay. If you cannot compel your child to stop his habit, replace milk or juice with water.

Wean your child off the pacifier ASAP

Your child may find comfort and security in sucking on a pacifier. However, it is important that you wean him off that habit as soon as possible as pacifiers have been associated with bite problems and increased risks for cavities.

Don’t use teething gels and rings

These products contain harmful ingredients like lidocaine, benzocaine, BPA and other chemicals that can adversely affect your child’s health.