Sucking Their Thumb
While your child is under the age of four, it is not uncommon for him or her to be attached to sucking their thumb. About 90% of children between the ages of 2-4 suck their thumbs. Many children will start doing this as soon as they are born. It is a self-soothing method that develops while still in the womb. It can be a security action and help to reduce any anxiety the child may have. While this is not an unusual habit to pick up, it may be a very hard habit to break the older a child gets. Thumb sucking can start to impact your child's teeth and mouth composition (including the shape of your child's bite and palate) if this habit goes on for too long. Our knowledgeable dentists in Southern Missouri are here to help you understand common thumb sucking tendencies, as well as some ways to help wean your child away from this habit.
Putting Items in Their Mouth
Younger kids are especially curious and tend to explore the world with their mouths. Once babies can crawl, they can find lots of random items on the floor that they will stick into their mouths out of curiosity. This can be incredibly dangerous due to choking hazards, but it is also bad for your kids because it introduces a lot of bacteria into their mouths. You can help prevent this by keeping the floors clean and picking up any items that your baby might put in their mouths.
Not Brushing Their Back Teeth
Little kids may not realize how important it is to brush every surface of their teeth. Food particles can regularly get stuck in between their back molars that then need to be cleaned out. If they aren't brushing their back teeth well enough, they could be missing important areas and could develop cavities. Make sure you teach them the importance of tooth brushing and use a tooth brushing timer (for 2 minutes) to help them not rush through the activity.
Fear of Dentists
Some kids are afraid of going to the dentist. It's intimidating to a little one to have a stranger that close to their face and sticking things in their mouths. Access Dental and Dentures is great with kids, and we can help them feel comfortable during their dentist appointments. You can also help by getting them used to the process and what the tools will look like. There are small dental tool kits at local drugstores that you can buy for a very affordable rate. You can show you kids what the little dental mirror and scraper look like so they aren't scared when they see them in the office. Just make sure you don't let them scratch at their own teeth with the tools. Someone who isn't an expert can easily damage the enamel on your teeth.
Best Pediatric Dentist in Southern Missouri
Access Dental and Dentures specializes in children's dentistry and we always do our best to make sure you little one's visit to the dentist is a positive experience that they aren't afraid of. We also have several locations in the southern part of Missouri so you don't have to have the kids in the car for too long of a drive. Check out our locations and services on our website, and give us a call to schedule your next appointment!
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