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The surprising bad dental habits your child needs to break in 2022

Encouraging a good oral health care practice for your child should begin as soon as those baby chompers come through! The earlier you start, the less likely it is they will develop bad dental habits later on in life. 

Having your little one keep a consistent brushing and flossing routine, limiting highly acidic or sugary foods, drinking water with every meal, and seeing a specialist paediatric dentist regularly is absolutely the best foundation for tiny teeth. 

However, we also need to be conscious of any supplementary dental habits your child may develop which can be more harmful for their teeth than you might realise. 

Here are some of the surprising bad habits that you should encourage your child to break in 2022:

 

CHEWING ON PENS OR PENCILS AT SCHOOL

Once your kids go off to school they may pick up the pesky habit of chewing on their pens or pencils throughout the day. Most children eventually grow out of it, but that doesn’t mean it should just be ignored.

For one, it can introduce all kinds of bacteria into the mouth which could include certain viruses that are floating around the schoolyard. 

On top of that, chewing on hard, everyday objects can wear down the tooth’s surface. If your child has already undergone major dental work like fillings or crowns, then the damage can be even more significant. 

Encourage your child to leave the 2b pencil where it belongs – out of the mouth and on the page.

 

BITING THEIR FINGERNAILS 

Bad dental habits aren’t exclusive to kids – this one is also a big culprit amongst adults! 

While biting fingernails is incredibly common, it’s definitely no good for those little teeth. In fact children who like to nibble on their nails have a higher chance of chipping or damaging a tooth. 

It also puts them at greater risk for developing bruxism, an unintentional teeth grinding and clenching habit that can cause other dental health issues.

Chewing on nails can also lead to the spreading of unwanted bacteria into the mouth, considering children are fairly unlikely to wash their hands carefully before biting.

 

FORGETTING TO WEAR THEIR MOUTHGUARD DURING SPORT

Some bad dental habits can lead to physical trauma of the teeth or mouth. Not wearing a mouthguard when playing sports – particularly those that involve body contact, falls, or flying equipment – is one common example. 

Mouthguards generally cover the upper row of teeth but are designed to protect the whole mouth including the soft tissues in the gums. 

If your child forgets to wear their mouthguard – or even refuses to – it can leave them vulnerable to an injury that could have long term impacts on their dental development. 

If your little one avoids using a mouthguard because it falls out when talking, or impacts their breathing or speech, then they probably don’t have one that’s properly fitted. Custom-made mouthguards consistently offer the best fit and protection for growing teeth. 

 

USING TEETH TO OPEN THINGS THAT AREN’T FOOD

Teeth are tools made for chewing on food, but sometimes people think they’re also an alternative for using scissors!

It can be very damaging for your kids to use their teeth to open up plastic packaging, rip off sticky tape, or undo a bottle cap. Not only could they crack or chip a tooth, they could also cut their gums in the process!

Your child will often watch the way you take care of yourself on a day-to-day basis, so if they see you using your teeth as tools they might think it’s okay for them to do too. 

 

PUTTING OFF THE DENTIST

Bad dental habits are easier to break when your child is regularly seeing their paediatric dentist. 

Your little one should have had their first dental appointment by their first birthday, or no longer than six months after they get their first teeth. Based on the advice of the dentist, your child should then have regular visits every three, six or 12 months. 

Even if you think your kids’ teeth look fine, it’s vital you keep up with consistent appointments to ensure their dental development is monitored and any problems that arise can be addressed early on. 

If your child experiences anxiety about going to the dentist, check out our tips on how to help them overcome this fear.

 

SAY GOODBYE TO BAD DENTAL HABITS IN 2022

The best way to kick bad dental habits is to help your little one establish good oral hygiene practices early on, while also explaining to them in simple terms how important it is that they protect their teeth every day. 

If you have concerns about your child and are unsure how to help them break any bad dental habits they’ve formed, make sure to raise this with your paediatric dentist at their next visit. If you’re yet to make an appointment for the new year, give us a call on (02) 9188-0202 or book online here.

 

This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics and to help begin the conversation with your children’s dentist. It should not be used as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your health care professional prior to incorporating this as part of your child’s diet or health regimen.

 

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