What Poor Oral Hygiene Can Lead to in Kids

There’s a lot that goes into taking good care of your kids. Making sure they eat well, get enough sleep, and receive a quality education are just a few of the big-ticket items. Then there are the smaller, but no less important details, like making sure they know what goes into taking care of their bodies. Oral hygiene is particularly important since poor oral hygiene can lead to some real problems.

Cavities

Good oral hygiene habits like brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day are important parts of preventing cavities. If good oral hygiene habits aren’t in place and poor oral hygiene is practiced instead, plaque and tartar can develop. The acids in these substances lead to the development of cavities. Cavities don’t go away on their own. Once a cavity develops, it’s important to see a dentist so your child can get treatment to fix it.

Bad Breath

If you’ve ever smelled your kid’s breath before they’ve brushed in the morning, you probably know that poor oral hygiene practically guarantees bad breath. This is because not thoroughly brushing and flossing can leave food particles behind. Garlic and onions are some of the biggest causes of bad breath. Your child doesn’t have to eat garlic or onions to have bad breath though. Food particles from any source can collect on the teeth, tongue, gums, and other surfaces within the mouth. If they start to rot, you can bet that you’ll be able to smell it on your kid’s breath. Regularly and thoroughly brushing and flossing is one of the best ways to avoid this problem.

Gum Disease

Teeth aren’t the only point of concern when it comes to oral hygiene. The gums are impacted by oral hygiene habits as well. If food particles, plaque, and tartar are allowed to build up, they can lead to gum disease. If you notice any symptoms of gum disease in your kid, make sure you take them to see their dentist as soon as possible. They’ll get the treatment they need, which will protect the health of both the teeth and gums.

Teaching your kids to practise good oral hygiene is crucial to their health. It helps prevent things like cavities, bad breath, and gum disease. Start incorporating oral hygiene into their lives as infants. That way it will be much easier for them to develop good oral care habits as they grow older.

Check out this article on how to raise your kids to be healthy!