Your child’s baby teeth play an important part in oral development. When they’re damaged or decayed, it can impact your child’s speech and how adult teeth come in. Tackling bad habits like the following and enforcing proper dental care will ensure your child maintains a healthy smile.

3 Ways Your Child Is Harming Their Teeth

1. Chewing Hard Objects

Biting down on hard objects like ice, toys, and lollipops is one of the fastest ways to wear down enamel and potentially fracture teeth. Instruct your child to keep inedible objects out of their mouth, and explain that crunching ice and candy can weaken their baby teeth.

2. Thumb-Sucking

Many children develop a thumb-sucking habit, which is normal and often peters out naturally. However, if a child continues after age four, the continuous sucking motion will gradually draw their baby teeth out of position, which may hinder the emergence of adult teeth. Additionally, their thumbs are coated in harmful bacteria. Help your child transition to other self-soothing methods like hugging a plush toy, and reward your child as they begin breaking the habit.

3. Drinking Sugary Beverages

Many parents limit sweets since sugar promotes tooth decay. However, some might forget that drinks like soda and fruit juice contain unhealthy amounts of sugar as well. Check the sugar content of beverages before serving them to your child. If you allow your child to drink one as a treat, have them follow up with water or simply rinse out their mouth afterward.

In addition to breaking bad habits, your child should learn that taking care of their baby teeth involves regular dental exams. Bring them to see the team at Pedodontic Associates for the next one. The children’s dentists have served young patients for over 25 years, and as an American Dental Association-accredited practice, pride themselves on creating a comfortable environment. Call (808) 735-1733 to schedule an appointment at their Honolulu office, (808) 487-7933 for Aiea, or (808) 877-0066 for Kahului. Explore their services on their website.