The importance Of Oral Health Of Children

The importance Of Oral Health Of Children

We all fundamentally realize just how precious the overall mental and physical development of our children is in their early, formative years. We want them to get the best medical treatments, eat the best and healthiest foods, and attend the best schools possible, all to ensure they have a healthy and happy future.

The Lack Of Focus On Oral Care

But despite all of this, studies have shown that one of the key areas that parents, particularly in the United States, have been lacking focus in has been the oral health of their children. Despite all the great advances that have been made in modern and social sciences, their focus on oral health for children in their earliest years is not quite the same as it is in their slightly older, adolescent, and onwards years.

Studies have shown that parents would like to see a greater coalition of support in establishing good practices for a child’s oral health, including better and clearer advice from medical professionals, better dietary options at school, and even mass media – such as television and the internet – doing less promotion of things like sugary foods and beverages.

But at the end of the day, the greatest sphere of influence always comes from parents, as their role in both establishing and enforcing the habits of better oral care, and serving as good role models themselves (in terms of oral care habits) is paramount.

Parents can start the process of ensuring optimal oral health for their children very early on – much earlier than some might even expect. While it may not be pleasant to either of you at first, as your children begin to develop teeth, literally brushing their teeth for them – until they turn about 2 to 3 years old – sets the foundation for future oral care habits. You may just want to take an amount of toothpaste that’s less than the size of a pea, put it on a tiny toothbrush (or even your finger), and just establish the habit from the onset that way. That way, as you wean your child to do so themselves, it’s a more familiar process.

The Dangers Of Thumb Sucking, And The Importance Of Oral Health of Children

And from the earliest ages, we know that we should do everything we can to eliminate children from sucking their thumbs unless we want to incur the host of problems that behavior can lead to. And more than just the obvious medical and dental ramifications the beliefs that allow children to suck their thumb set a bad precedent for coping with situations, which could be potential segues to using other methods (or even substances) to cope with stressors in the future.

Clearly, oral care is about so much more than ensuring your child has a symmetrical smile, healthy gums, strong teeth, or some combination thereof. We often take for granted the importance of what our mouths do for us. Outside of being the primary source for breaking down food in a way that our body can use it properly for fuel, the health of our mouth can have a very non-linear impact on the development of children. One study determined that the prevention, treatment, and improvement of dental health may benefit child academic achievement, as well as both cognitive and psychosocial development.

As mentioned, just like every other part of guiding a child through their overall development in life, ensuring the proper focus, habits, and care of their oral health is no less important than any other area of development.