Parents try to do everything they can to ensure their children’s health, but a good pediatric dentist knows that passing on effective oral hygiene habits means doing more than brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist. Dr. Robert Petrtyl is a family and pediatric dentist in Cincinnati, OH, and he has compiled the top four mistakes that parents often make when it comes to their kids’ teeth:

• Letting Kids Brush Alone: While it’s good to instill a sense of independence in your children, there are ways to do it that don’t put their oral health at risk. Most children don’t have the motor skills to brush their teeth effectively until the age of 8, which means parents should be helping them do so until then.
• Putting The Baby To Bed With A Bottle: Going to bed with a bottle is the fastest route to tooth decay, yet countless parents still do it. Taking a bottle to bed or using a sippy cup all day long allows bacteria to thrive in the mouth far longer than it should.

• Visiting The Dentist Too Late: Parents should schedule the first dental appointment within six months of the first tooth erupting, and definitely by the child’s first birthday. If they wait until the child is two or three years old, the dentist may have to use general anesthesia to treat infections and cavities that developed over the years.
• Offering Sticky Foods: Raisins, bananas, and whole-grain crackers might seem like healthy snacks, but they’re high in sugar, and they’re so sticky that they often get stuck in the grooves of tiny teeth. Instead, parents should offer crunchy vegetables and fruits like apples and oranges.

Parents have a lot to think about when it comes to their children’s health, and it’s no wonder that some things slip through the cracks; however, a healthy smile will last a lifetime, and it starts in infancy. If you need to schedule dental appointments for your children, Dr. Robert Petrtyl will take care of you. Visit his website to learn more about the pediatric dentistry services he offers. Call (513) 554-4657 to schedule an appointment with the best dentist in Cincinnati, OH, today.