Teaching children good habits starting from a young age is an essential part of helping them lead a healthy and happy life. And part of those good habits should include taking proper care of their teeth and gums. Practicing good oral hygiene is imperative for maintaining a healthy smile and also for maintaining good overall health as they continue to grow into adulthood. To highlight the importance of this, here are 5 reasons to develop healthy dental hygiene habits at a young age.
Reduce Dental Phobias
Introducing your child to the dentist at an early age can help them feel more comfortable with the process, reducing the likelihood of them experiencing dental phobias. Attending checkups will also ensure that your child’s teeth and gums are developing properly and are in good shape, which can help to create more positive associations with the dentist instead of negative ones. Bottom line: starting them off early can make it much easier for attending future appointments.
Avoid Cavities and Other Issues
Taking care of teeth and gums is an essential part of maintaining a healthy body. By developing good dental hygiene, such as brushing twice a day, flossing once per day, and attending scheduled cleanings and checkups as recommended by the dentist can help to avoid many preventable problems such as tooth decay.
Develops Self Confidence
When teeth and gums are neglected, this can lead to an unhealthy and unattractive looking smile which can impede children’s self-confidence as they grow older. By adopting healthy habits early, they have a much better chance of maintaining a healthy and beautiful looking smile which can improve their self-esteem.
Promotes Speech Development
Even baby teeth can experience decay, and in severe cases, this can require an extraction which in some cases can lead to speech impediments such as a lisp. Teeth are essential for assisting kids with proper annunciations as they develop, and by maintaining regular brushing and flossing habits, they can avoid these risks.
Keeps Them Healthy
Poor dental hygiene has shown to correlate with numerous illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, certain cancers, rheumatoid arthritis, and more. By encouraging good habits now, you can help your children avoid future complications with their health as they enter adulthood.
As parents, we always want the best for our kids. And keeping them healthy and strong means taking care of their mouth too. It’s recommended by the Canadian Dental Association to begin regular visits to the dentist about 6 months following the emergence of the first tooth or around their first birthday. You can bring them to meet our team here at Yazdani Family Dentistry so they can feel comfortable and safe during their appointments. Contact us today to set up an appointment or to learn more about our clinic and services.
