Proper oral hygiene is something that will benefit your children for the rest of their lives. It’s important to instill healthy practices early; oral health plays an important role as they develop. The staff at Thomas A. Tohill DMD in Somerset, KY, advises that children’s mouths require specific oral care and by establishing healthy oral hygiene, you’ll help them avoid numerous dental issues.

3 Reasons to Instill Proper Oral Hygiene in Your Children

1. Preventing Decay in Baby Teeth

Many parents make the mistake of believing cavities in baby teeth are okay since they’ll eventually fall out. Tooth decay affects all areas of the mouth and can lead to gum disease when untreated. Dealing with this at such a young age significantly affects your child’s oral health. To keep baby teeth healthy, take extra steps to promote brushing and flossing. Whether it’s using fun-flavored toothpastes, brushing together, or creating oral health care games, building a healthy habit will prevent decay and gum disease.

2. Helping Permanent Teeth Come In

Although your child’s permanent teeth are contained within their gums, they can still suffer the effects of poor oral hygiene. The bacteria that cause decay can work their way below the gumline and cause infections in the gums. This can harm your child’s permanent teeth, and if gum disease or other conditions develop, they may not rupture properly. This can lead to extensive surgeries, alignment issues, and other oral health problems that negatively impact their smile for years.

3. Ensuring Long-Term Health

Building healthy habits early increases the chances that they’ll remain intact for years to come. By teaching your child the importance of oral hygiene, they’ll adopt and implement proper care through the many phases of change the mouth will undergo during their childhood and adolescence. These benefits will continue into adulthood, ensuring they have a healthy smile throughout their life.

If you’re interested in more dental care tips for your family, turn to the staff at Thomas A. Tohill DMD. They offer comprehensive general and preventative dentistry services and are dedicated to ensuring children and parents maintain healthy oral hygiene. Call (606) 679-4450 today to schedule an appointment and visit their website and Facebook to learn more about their services.