6 Myths About Pediatric Dentistry
If you’ve ever Googled questions about pediatric dentistry,
you’ve likely found a lot of conflicting information about what
you should and shouldn’t do when it comes to your child’s
dental health. We’re here to set the record straight on some of
the most common myths about pediatric dentistry!
Myth #1: Children don’t need to see the dentist until all of
their teeth come in.
An
early examination gives your pediatric dentist a chance to put
together a long-term dental care plan that is most beneficial for
your child. For this reason, we recommend bringing your child in
for an exam when their first tooth erupts.
The earlier your child is exposed to dental care and regular
appointments, the more relaxed and comfortable they will be with
routine visits!
Myth #2: Cavities in baby teeth do not affect a child’s adult
teeth.
Untreated cavities in baby teeth can inhibit proper growth of
adult teeth. Tooth decay affects the gums and roots of the teeth,
which means harmful bacteria can be transferred to adult teeth that
are forming. Trauma to baby teeth can also cause problems for the
growth of adult teeth.
Myth #3: Dental sealants are unsafe for children.
With proper brushing, flossing, and nutritional habits, sealants
reduce the risk of cavities by 80%.
Bisphenol (BPA) in sealants has been a long standing concern for
many parents. According to the American Dental Association, the BPA
level in sealants is not significant enough to cause health
concerns, and they are completely
safe for children. Sealants may not be the solution for every
child, which is why our dentists will evaluate each child on a
case-by-case basis.
Myth #4: Only adult teeth need to be flossed.
Just because baby teeth are permanent doesn’t mean they need
less diligent care! Food particles still need to be removed from
between baby teeth with floss. Brushing only removes 30% of plaque
and bacteria from your teeth, so flossing is a must!
We recommend that you assist your child with flossing as soon as
they have two
teeth that touch. Because small children lack the manual
dexterity to floss properly, a parent should help with flossing
until the child can brush and floss thoroughly.
Myth #5: A little blood during brushing is nothing to be alarmed
about.
One of the most telltale signs of
gum disease is blood when brushing or flossing, even in small
traces. A similar comparison is to consider your hand washing
routine. If you suddenly saw blood, chances are you would be
concerned!
With a specialized oral health plan and practicing good oral
health habits at home, gum disease in children can likely be
reversed.
Myth #6: There’s no real difference between general dentistry and
pediatric dentistry.
Though general dentists are vastly educated in many different
aspects of dentistry,
pediatric dentists specialize in working with children. They
study developmental stages and characteristics of children and how
dentistry affects their overall health, as well as the
psychological component of pediatric dentistry.
Many general dentists will refer children to a pediatric dentist
because of their specific expertise and abilities.
Do you have a question about pediatric dentistry that we
haven’t covered? Feel free to get in touch with
us to discuss!
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