Bad Habits That Can Damage Your Kid's Smile

Bad Habits That Can Damage Your Kid's Smile

Posted by Unique Kids Pediatric Dentistry on Dec 17 2022, 10:30 PM

Your baby's smile is precious. When you watch your baby smile, it fills your heart with happiness. But, if your baby's smile is marred by dental problems, it can break your heart. Here are some bad habits that can damage your kid's smile.

  • Poor Oral Hygiene Habits

If a child doesn't brush or floss their teeth at least twice a day, sugary foods can linger on the teeth while bacteria feed on them and cause cavities. Also, skipping regular dental visits allows decay to progress unnoticed until it becomes painful and causes the tooth to rot and fall out. The sooner your child gets used to visiting the dentist for checkups and cleanings, the better their oral health will be in the future!

  • Biting Fingernails

Nail biting is one of the most common bad habits for kids to partake in; doing so can lead to chipped teeth from digging into the nail. Kids who bite their nails are also at a higher risk for contracting bacterial infections that can lead to swollen gums and even tooth loss. The best way to help kids stop biting their fingernails is by helping them replace the habit with something more positive and enjoyable. This can be something simple like a fidget spinner or coloring book.

  • Chewing On Ice

When your kid bites down on a piece of ice, their teeth are held tightly in place as the ice contracts from the cold temperature. This can lead to chips and cracks that may require a restorative dental treatment like dental crowns. Additionally, chewing ice is bad for the teeth because it increases your risk of tooth decay. This is because when kids chew on ice, they expose their teeth to bacteria that can form plaque on their teeth. If your little one has a habit of chewing ice, you should consider talking to them about avoiding this bad habit to protect both their smile and their health.

  • Chewing Pencils And Pens

Having a pen or pencil in the mouth for long periods of time can cause teeth to move or shift into the wrong position. This can damage the alignment of your child's mouth and enable misalignment to continue into adulthood. It can also cause the teeth to wear down prematurely. Make sure your kids know not to chew on pencils or pens!

  • Eating Hard Candies And Sticky, Sugary Treats

Hard candy is bad for your kid's teeth because it gives them sugar that wears away the enamel. Even diet sodas and other sugar-free foods can cause damage due to the acidic content that can erode the enamel on your kids' teeth. In general, it's a good idea to avoid giving your children these types of foods and beverages. It's not only bad for their smile but for their health.

Unique Kids Pediatric Dentistry is equipped with the latest technologies and modern amenities that enable the best dental care facilities for patients. Call us at (832) 930-7732 and schedule an appointment with the dentist to know more about the dental services provided at the practice. 

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