Your child’s teeth can last a lifetime (that is, if their permanent teeth have grown into place), and they need to take good care of them. Unfortunately, there are many things in the world today, especially habits, that can harm your child’s smile and damage their teeth and gums. Today, Dr. Don Niu would like to talk about a few of those things and give you the tips you need to help your child’s smile.
The first is chewing on anything other than food, which also includes ice. Kids tend to chew on pens, pencils, and other objects, especially when they’re bored at school, and it can likely break one or two teeth in their mouth. So, help your child stop this habit by giving them sugar-free gum to chew instead.
The second is constantly snacking. This is dangerous for the smile because it never gives the teeth time to recuperate from being exposed to bacteria, acid, and other substances that food leave behind. This can easily create cavities. If your child absolutely has to snack, make sure they eat tooth-healthy foods, like vegetables, fruit, and cheese.
The third is refraining to use a mouthguard while they are active. If your child participates in high-contact sports or activities, there is a high chance a hard, forceful object can hit their smile and injure it. However, if they wear a mouthguard, their smile can be protected.
If you have any questions or if you would like to know more about how to protect your child’s smile in Irvine, California, please call Irvine Dental Group at 949-551-8877 at your earliest convenience. We look forward to helping you help your child!