These 7 habits can ruin your child’s teeth, so it’s important to stop your child from doing these behaviors if you want to avoid them having dental problems later on in life.
1. Chewing on things
This is something that a lot of kids do. You might see them chewing on their toys, on pencils, crayons, you name it. Not only does it ruin their teeth, they might also get sick if they chew on something that was dropped on the floor.
2. Eating too many sweets
Sweets aren’t good for children (even if kids love sweets). Eating too many sugary treats can cause your child to develop cavities which can then cause painful toothaches.
3. Drinking softdrinks
Softdrinks are not only bad for your child’s health, but they’re also bad for your child’s teeth. Make sure to avoid having any softdrinks at home and instead let your child drink juice, or even better, plain old water.
4. Brushing their teeth too hard
Yup, brushing too hard can damage your child’s teeth. Brushing too hard, especially with a stiff toothbrush, can cause the enamel to slowly wear away. Brushing too hard can also damage your child’s gums, so make sure that they do it just right.
5. Using their teeth as tools
Sometimes kids use their teeth to open a pack of snacks, open bottles, or use their teeth as a tool to grab hold of something that’s difficult to open. This can most definitely ruin their teeth, so make sure your kids avoid this behavior.
6. Grinding their teeth
Grinding teeth can not only cause damage, but it can sometimes cause your child’s teeth to become misaligned. Sometimes, grinding can also be a sign of stress or anxiety. If your child grinds their teeth, make sure to take them to the dentist to get it checked out.
7. Forgetting to brush their teeth
Your kids should brush their teeth at least twice a day. Brushing is an important habit that you need to teach your child early on since it’s something that they will take with them well into adulthood. So if you want your kids to avoid making trips to the dentist because of a toothache or tooth problems, teach them how to properly care for their teeth.
Source: rd.com
READ: How to look after your baby’s first teeth