If you’ve ever Googled questions about pediatric dentistry, you’ve likely found a lot of conflicting information about what you should and shouldn’t do when it comes to your child’s dental health. We’re here to set the record straight on some of the most common myths about pediatric dentistry!
Myth #1: Children Don’t Need to See the Dentist Until All of Their Teeth Come In.
An early examination gives your pediatric dentist a chance to put together a long-term dental care plan that is most beneficial for your child. For this reason, we recommend bringing your child in for an exam when their first tooth erupts.
The earlier your child is exposed to dental care and regular appointments, the more relaxed and comfortable they will be with routine visits!
Myth #2: Cavities in Baby Teeth Do Not Affect a Child’s Adult Teeth.
Untreated cavities in baby teeth can inhibit proper growth of adult teeth. Tooth decay affects the gums and roots of the teeth, which means harmful bacteria can be transferred to adult teeth that are forming. Trauma to baby teeth can also cause problems for the growth of adult teeth.
Myth #3: Dental Sealants Are Unsafe for Children.
With proper brushing, flossing, and nutritional habits, sealants reduce the risk of cavities by 80%.
Bisphenol (BPA) in sealants has been a long standing concern for many parents. According to the American Dental Association, the BPA level in sealants is not significant enough to cause health concerns, and they are completely safe for children. Sealants may not be the solution for every child, which is why our dentists will evaluate each child on a case-by-case basis.
Myth #4: Only Adult Teeth Need to be Flossed.
Just because baby teeth are permanent doesn’t mean they need less diligent care! Food particles still need to be removed from between baby teeth with floss. Brushing only removes 30% of plaque and bacteria from your teeth, so flossing is a must!
We recommend that you assist your child with flossing as soon as they have two teeth that touch. Because small children lack the manual dexterity to floss properly, a parent should help with flossing until the child can brush and floss thoroughly.
Myth #5: A Little Blood During Brushing is Nothing to be Alarmed About.
One of the most telltale signs of gum disease is blood when brushing or flossing, even in small traces. A similar comparison is to consider your hand washing routine. If you suddenly saw blood, chances are you would be concerned!
With a specialized oral health plan and practicing good oral health habits at home, gum disease in children can likely be reversed.
Myth #6: There’s no real difference between general dentistry and pediatric dentistry.
Though general dentists are vastly educated in many different aspects of dentistry, pediatric dentists specialize in working with children. They study developmental stages and characteristics of children and how dentistry affects their overall health, as well as the psychological component of pediatric dentistry.
Many general dentists will refer children to a pediatric dentist because of their specific expertise and abilities.
While We Dispell Dental Myths, Let's Discuss 5 Myths About Baby Teeth Health
When it comes to baby teeth and dental care, moms and dads often receive a ton of conflicting advice. Things like when to take your child to the dentist for the first time, or the reasons why baby teeth are important, or the benefits of tap water versus bottled water, make it easy to see why so many myths exist on the subject.
Dispelling 5 Myths About Your Baby's Dental Health
We appreciate how much parents care about their kids’ dental health, so we’ve compiled a list of the top five myths we hear the most about young children’s teeth:
I Put My Baby to Bed with a Bottle. What’s the Big Deal? He Doesn’t Even Have Teeth Yet
Although you may not be able to see any baby teeth in your child’s mouth, they’re there -- and they are just as susceptible to tooth decay as adult teeth. A big concern is Early Childhood Caries, or baby bottle tooth decay. Letting your child fall asleep with a bottle full of anything other than water is like soaking those developing teeth in sugar – not a good thing for anyone’s teeth, especially your baby’s.
Baby Teeth Aren’t Important Since They Fall Out Anyway!
After all of the discomfort children go through to sprout those 20 baby teeth, having them eventually fall out seems almost cruel.
Yet, baby teeth have many important functions in your child’s development. Baby teeth are natural placeholders for their adult teeth, and the health of your child’s baby teeth can affect the health of their permanent teeth. If dental decay is left on a baby tooth, it not only could affect the adult tooth growing underneath it, but the infection also could spread to other parts of the child’s body.
As soon as baby teeth begin to appear, start brushing twice daily with a soft, age-appropriate-sized toothbrush. Use a “smear” of fluoridated toothpaste for a child under 2 years of age; for 2-5 year olds, use a pea-sized amount.
I Don’t Need to Take My Child to the Dentist Until They Start School
“First visit by first birthday.” According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, your child should visit a pediatric dentist when the first tooth comes in, typically between 6-12 months of age.
My Child Can Brush Their Own Teeth
Young children often don’t get at the “hard to reach” places in their little mouths. The better thing to do is to allow them to brush their teeth on their own first, and then have a parent do a “follow-up brushing” immediately after.
Bottled Water is Just as Good for Teeth as Tap Water
Tap water contains fluoride - an important ingredient proven to strengthen tooth enamel. On the other hand, most brands of bottled water do not contain fluoride, meaning that your child is missing out on an important vitamin for their teeth.
Questions About Common Children's Dental Myths?
Do you have a question about pediatric dentistry that we haven’t covered? Feel free to get in touch with us to discuss!
