Why Is It Important To Teach Children Good Oral Hygiene Habits?

People may notice your smile first, but taking care of your teeth is an important part of your overall health. Taking care of your teeth and gums can stop cavities, gum disease, and other problems. With regular trips to the dentist and good care at home, you can make sure your teeth and gums stay healthy for many years. Read on to find out why having good oral health is something that children should learn from a young age and take that knowledge with them throughout their lives. 

Photo by RODNAE Productions

It Builds Good Habits 

In their early years, children learn a lot from the people and things around them. Because of this, it's easier to start and keep habits and behaviours. Early habits, whether good or bad, tend to stay with you. So, it's important to use your child's formative years to teach them good habits they can keep with them for life.

You don't have to wait until your child can understand you to teach them how to take care of their teeth. You don't know how much little brains can understand and process. Take brushing your teeth as an example. It's easy to teach your child to do this at a young age. Show them how to brush their teeth and tell them why it's important, and this will become a healthy habit for them. 

It Makes Them Less Afraid Of The Dentist 

People can sometimes be afraid of their dentist, and for children who don’t visit regularly and don’t know what to expect, it can be a scary experience. A bad experience with the dentist early on might mean they don’t visit enough as they get older, potentially leading to problems with their teeth. 

By ensuring your child has good oral hygiene and by making the dentist a regular thing from the time they are tiny, you can reduce this fear. It becomes just another appointment. Plus, if they need to have any more indepth work done, such as getting lingual braces, they will already be comfortable in the dental environment. 

It Improves Confidence 

Children (and adults) can be very shy, and if there is something they don’t like about themselves, it can cause a lot of issues when it comes to socalising and making friends. They might miss out on opportunities that would have been good for them because they lack confidence.  

Having good oral hygiene and healthy teeth can boost that confidence hugely. Whether it’s because they have had their teeth straightened or because they always take care of their teeth and know their smile is a happy one, it will become easier for them to make friends and have more confidence in life. 

It’s Good For Overall Health 

Our overall health and wellbeing depend on how well our teeth are taken care of. Every parent wants their child to have the best chance of living a long, healthy life. The best way to do this is to teach your child good dental habits as soon as possible because there is evidence that oral diseases affect more than just the mouth and can lead to more serious illnesses.