Understanding Root Canal Procedures

It's Not Just Candy: Other Ways Your Kids Can Damage Their Teeth

1 August 2017

Diane Mason

If you have been diligent about telling your kids to steer clear of candy because you want them to have healthy teeth, then you have done a good thing. But, you need to be aware that there are other things to be concerned about. While everyone makes a huge deal about sugary candy and soda, there are other foods, as well as behaviors, that can do just as much damage to your child's teeth. Here are some to be mindful of.

Brushing Too Hard

You child might be very attentive about brushing their teeth, but if they are too overzealous, then this can be a problem. You don't want them to do damage to their teeth. If they are really into brushing their teeth, then that's great, but you need to make sure that they are not brushing too hard or too often. If they do, then they can end up damaging the enamel on their teeth and causing problems to the gumline as well. This can even lead to long term damage that will require a dentist to do surgery. So, this is why you want to make sure that they understand that they need to be gentle while bruising their teeth and also that they don't use hard toothbrushes. Always choose soft brushes.

Grinding Teeth At Night

If your child grinds their teeth while they sleep, then you need to get that fixed. While they might be unable to control the grinding, you can help prevent the damage by getting them a bit guard. These are molded plastic forms that will shape to their teeth. They then sleep with this in their mouth and it helps prevent the teeth from grinding against each other and wearing away the enamel. Otherwise, they will wear down their teeth and cause a big problem. The plastic bite guards can be bought online or at your family dentist.

Drinking Acidic Drinks

Finally, it's not just sugar to be aware of. Too many acidic drinks such as sugarless iced tea, or juices, can also cause damage to your child's teeth. If they happen to drink lots of tea or juice, make sure you consult with the family dentist as to how to handle that issue. You need to be careful about suggesting that they brush after each drink since that can also do damage to the teeth (over-brushing). So, a better idea might be to have them alternative with plain water. This will help wash away some of the acidity.

For more advice, talk with a care provider like All About Smiles today.

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