It’s difficult to make sure your child brushes and flosses their teeth every day, but it’s important to instill good dental hygiene habits in them now to avoid potential health problems in the future. Poor oral health has been linked to some life-threatening conditions such as heart disease and stroke, and good dental hygiene is key to keeping your overall health in check.
The Utah Department of Health recently released a report showing more than two-thirds of children in Utah ages 6 to 9 have had cavities. What’s more worrying is that several of the kids involved in the report had severe undiagnosed dental issues such as infections or abscesses.
You should start to take care of your child’s teeth as soon as they begin coming in. There are several tooth-related issues that can happen in infants and small children such as bottle rot from excess exposure to milk, formula, juices, etc. Our family dentistry office in Salt Lake City recommends you bring your child in for their first dental exam by their first birthday. You should also watch what foods they consume, and brush their teeth until you feel they can adequately do it on their own.
Signs of Tooth Decay in Young Children
There are symptoms you can watch for in your children to identify early to late stages of tooth decay including:
- White, light brown or dark spots on their teeth
- A hole appears on the tooth
- Sensitivity to cold or sweet foods and drinks
Your children are more likely to develop cavities during the holiday season, so make sure they brush twice a day and floss before bed.
Schedule your child’s dental exam with our family dentist in Salt Lake City today at (801) 216-3713. Warr Dental serves patients in Salt Lake City, Midvale, West Jordan and surrounding areas of Utah.
