Bad Habits That Harm Your Child’s Teeth

Children are naive while they are growing up. They might not adopt habits that are good for them. But they keenly follow their parents. Kids often repeat activities that they might find fun or interesting. This usually leads to bad habits. Some habits can damage their oral health. It will also disrupt their oral hygiene routine.

This article will help you understand which habits are bad for your child’s oral health. You can also learn how to protect your child’s health. You will explore these bad habits in detail and learn tips to avoid any damage. Let us dive into the details of bad oral habits for your child.

Thumb and Finger Sucking

Most infants suck their thumbs. It is a common oral habit that your child might outgrow. However it is persistent for their school year, and it becomes a concern. You need to observe your child’s habits. And also observe their thumbs and fingers. This will help you understand if they still suck their thumb or fingers.

Here are some common problems your child might get into if they continue to suck their fingers:

• tipping of the lower incisors
• misalignment of the permanent teeth after they emerge
• open bite of the front teeth
• flared upper incisors
• deformities of the roof of the mouth

Other than these, some kids also have a habit of lip-sucking. However, it is not as problematic as thumb-sucking. It can lead to inflamed or chapped lips. But you need to ensure your child avoids it as a serious habit. If not, your child’s teeth might flare out, or the lower teeth might tilt towards the tongue.

Chewing Hard Objects Like Ice

Most kids love chewing things when they are teething. They might bite objects, even toys, during this period. But if your child has a habit of biting off things, it can be a serious problem. Your child might inhale plastic and even chip off their enamel.

Most oral injuries happen during childhood because of this habit. Cracked teeth, damaged soft tissue, and even oral infections. This is why you must watch out if your child chews stuff out of boredom. You must try to stop your child from biting ice as well; it can also be dangerous.

You can offer your child some other things to bite. It might include sugarless gums, veggies, or their favorite fruit. You must keep them distracted to ensure they do not start biting things again. Small efforts to change a bad habit always work.

Teeth Grinding

Pre-teens often have a habit of grinding or clenching their teeth. This is called bruxism. It is a common habit that most kids outgrow. But if your child continues to teeth grinding, it can affect their sleep. It also impacts their oral care. This habit is linked to anxiety, stress, and depression.

Most kids with this habit often complain of headaches and earaches. They also might experience jaw pain. You need to keep a check on your child’s anxiety and stress. It is a common cause that often leads to teeth grinding.

You can use a night guard to protect your child’s teeth. It also prevents further enamel damage. You can ensure your child can sleep properly if they use protection tools such as mouthguards. This will eventually lead to minimized symptoms of bruxism.

Missing Dental Appointments

Most parents do not find it necessary to take their kids to dental appointments. However, as per expert recommendations, visiting a dentist from a young age introduces them to the world of oral hygiene. They get familiar with their dentist. Children get comfortable over time and can share their problems with them appropriately.

Kids may have bad habits that affect their oral health. A dental exam can help them prevent upcoming problems in advance. Your dentist can suggest your child what to do and what to avoid. Over time, the child learns why dental appointments are great for oral health.

Eating Too many Candies

Who does not love eating candies? Maybe not now as adults, but we all loved having candies as children. But there is a limitation to things even if we love them. When stuck in hard-to-reach areas in the mouth, Candies can cause tooth decay. Too much sugar also invites bacteria overgrowth in the mouth. It can lead to infections, tooth decay and severe cavities.

As a parent, it is your duty to keep your child’s diet in check. You need to regulate their candy consumption. You must ensure that your child does not eat candy over a limit. However, one or two candies a day cannot do much harm. Just ensure they maintain oral hygiene to avoid the risk of tooth decay.

Using Teeth As a Tool

Kids who use their teeth to open packaging might find it cool, but it damages your teeth. You need to avoid using your teeth as a tool. You must consult your child to help them understand how it affects their oral health. It can lead to severe bleeding, damage to soft tissue, and even cause infections.

Too Much Toothpaste In Mouth

Fluoride consumption should be kept in check. Most parents introduce it in the form of toothpaste ingredients to their children. However, if consumed over a limit, it can be extremely harmful to your child. Too much fluoride content can lead to fluoride poisoning. You must educate your child about it. You need to supervise your child while they use such toothpaste.

Conclusion

Children take most habits from their parents. This is why you must make sure you introduce them to good habits. And become the right representative of better oral health. If your child adapts a habit to avoid boredom, you need to keep them distracted.

You can visit our experts at Potranco Road Pediatric Dentist to consult about your child’s oral health. You can explore how to avoid such bad oral habits. With effective tips, you can better manage your child’s oral health.