Tom Clark — Children are often the leading patients in dental offices. This is in part because most parents want to ensure that their children have a proper start for their growing teeth. However, one of the other reasons for this trend is the growing problems caused by their diet and dental hygiene.
The case against overconsumption of soda
While the war on soda may be overinflated in regards to obesity, it is not overinflated with regard to their teeth. Too much soda consumption can be a real problem when it comes to dental hygiene. Children’s teeth are very susceptible to cavities and other problems, and without proper care they can and do have significant dental health issues. The sugar amounts in soda, in addition to the acidic contents in soda, can cause significant damage to a child’s teeth. While many parents tend to minimize their concerns when a child is younger because they have only their first set of teeth, this can be a mistake.
Most often children as they grow have a combination of their first set of teeth and their second set of teeth. Because of this, there is most certainly a significant risk of the permanent teeth being affected by the soda consumption. Soda causes not only cavities, but overconsumption can cause tooth decay and staining. In addition parents who minimize the risk of soda consumption can find their children getting into an unhealthy habit of consuming too much soda instead of more healthy drinks.
Other childhood dental risks
The main issue for children and their dental habits is to establish the care and hygiene of their teeth as an important issue. In doing so, children learn a lifetime of proper dental care for brushing and flossing. Statistics show that this can lead to important strides in the long-term maintenance and preservation of their adult teeth. Children who do not learn the importance of brushing their teeth when they are young are much more likely to fail at caring for their teeth in their adulthood.
Dental visits are important
While some parents may feel that their children need only to go to the dentist rarely, the case for childhood dental visits is important. Parents who bring their children to the dentist when they are young have a better chance of warding off teeth misalignment and long-term dental problems. There are occasions when the combination of adult teeth and childhood teeth can cause dental deformation of the overall teeth structure. In these cases, there may be need to pull out a baby tooth before it falls out so that proper room can be made for the incoming, more permanent teeth.
Making sure children’s teeth grow in properly and are maintained can literally save thousands of dollars on their long-term dental care. In addition proper childhood dental care can prevent the need for braces as well. If teeth start to crush as they grow due to the combination of baby teeth and adult teeth, this can cause the need for braces. This is because the excessive teeth in the child’s mouth as new larger adult teeth come in can cause their teeth to become misaligned and thus cause the need for braces.
About the Author
Tom Clark is a freelance writer, professional blogger, and social media enthusiast.