As a parent, you should always keep in mind that 42% of kids under the age of 13 are reported to have cavities in their baby teeth. As it turns out, regular brushing isn’t enough to get the job done. In fact, without knowing it, we (parents) end up making a number of kids dental mistakes thereby setting our little ones up for a lifetime of poor oral health. Here are a few of examples of things you might be doing wrong – and how to get things done the right way.

Leaving them to Brush Unsupervised

Most parents stop supervising their kids when tooth brushing before they even turn 6. However, dentists across the world recommend that parents should supervise their children when brushing until they are well above 7 years of age. Just because they know how to apply toothpaste and move the brush back and forth for a few seconds doesn’t mean they’re doing everything right.

*Most kids press the toothbrush too hard and this weakens the enamel in addition to damaging the gums

*Some kids end up eating and swallowing the toothpaste instead of using it to brush the teeth

*Quite a number of kids only brush the front and behind sections of their teeth leaving 3 surfaces untouched

So, as a parent, you need to make sure you’re spending enough time with your kids as engage in this all-important ritual. It may take a bit of your time, but in the end, most of the habits you teach them will end up serving them for a lifetime.

Considering introducing your kids to activated charcoal? We’d recommend not doing so until they’re 13 years old. Still, if your son or daughter turned 13 recently, we would encourage you to supervise them brush with charcoal until you’re confident they’re in a position to handle it on their own.

Not Taking Cavities Seriously

Cavities among kids with milk teeth may not seem like a big deal until you realize that they can cause permanent damage to their dental health. Did you know that healthy baby teeth are needed to create adequate space for adult teeth? You need milk teeth to guide permanent teeth so they can grow well aligned.

What’s more? In case a dental cavity gets infected, it can lead to the formation of abscess whose treatment entails sedation. To make matters, cavities can slow down speech development and lead to poor sleep – and as you know, these two can have a severe impact on your little one’s wellbeing.

The problem with cavities is that as soon as one develops, it can spread throughout the mouth. So, the moment you spot any signs of a cavity, be sure to take them to the dentists. A timely extraction can help prevent what would, otherwise, be a tough situation to deal with, a few years down the line.

Sticking to Conventional Tooth Brushing Products

Brushing the teeth alone and controlling the kind of stuff your kids eat during the day may not be enough to guarantee them of a future of white, undamaged teeth. In fact, regular brushing, no matter how well it’s done, doesn’t remove teeth deposits completely. That’s why it’s important to invest in a dental flosser as well. Routine flossing helps get rid of particles that may be stuck in between teeth and also destroy bacteria colonies in areas that your toothbrush may otherwise not penetrate. If your kid has turned 13, consider introducing them to activated charcoal brushing. This will help them get rid of plaque and get their teeth stronger, healthier and pearl white – something that’s nearly impossible to accomplish when using ordinary toothpaste products.

Final Thoughts

Don’t leave anything to chance. If you really want your little ones to own a perfect set of choppers into maturity, you need to start today by guiding them on every aspect of dental care. Take baby steps – don’t just limit what they eat, be keen enough not to put them to sleep with a bottle as well. Encourage them to drink milk and pure water as opposed to sugary drinks. Most importantly, don’t leave them to brush on their own until you’re 100% sure they’re doing everything right – and consistently.

Don't forget to Like and Share!