Misconceptions of Parents About Dental Problems

Many parents allow their misconceptions regarding dental problems to cloud their dentistry related decision making. If ill-informed about the importance of dental care for their children, these individuals could make decisions that may have a negative impact on their tot's dental history. To decrease the likelihood that they make dental missteps, these parents must overcome these per-conceived notions and recognize the truth regarding dental care.

Taking Care of Baby Teeth is Unnecessary

• Although baby teeth are only temporary mouth fillers, taking care of these teeth is important. If these teeth become decayed due to lack of care, they may well exit your child's mouth ahead of schedule, having an impact on the child's future oral health. As Thomas R. Nalepka, DDS, reports on his website, if parents fail to care for their children's baby teeth, they expose their child to a host of potential problems, including: severe dental infection, lifelong fear of dental care, the development of poor oral hygiene habits and the need for future orthodontic care.

If My Child Loses a Baby Tooth Prematurely, It's No Big Deal

• While your child's baby teeth will fall out, losing them ahead of schedule is not desirable. If your child loses baby teeth early, due to lack of care or trauma, he is at an increased risk for the development of maloccluded teeth, or teeth that are not sufficiently spaced. If your child does lose one of his baby teeth early, visit his dentist to discuss the potential need for a spacer to ensure that his teeth remain properly aligned.

All Children Have Cavities

• Cavities are not uncommon in children, but they are hardly a requisite part of growing up. As the American Academy of Periodontics reports, approximately 50 percent of all children have a filling by the time they reach age nine. By age 17, this number increases to 78 percent. With conscientious oral care, you may be able to help your child remain on the right side of this statistic.

Oral Health Isn't Tied to Overall Health

• The health of your child's mouth can impact his overall health, reports the American Academy of Periodontics. If your child's teeth become diseased, he is at risk for these bacteria to enter his blood stream and potentially travel to major organs. If your child's oral health is lacking, he is at an increased risk of developing an assortment of issues, including, in adulthood, heart disease. Because oral hygiene is tied to overall health, taking care of their teeth is even more important for children whose health is already compromised, such as those who suffer from respiratory diseases or diabetes.