NOT MAKING A CHILD’S FIRST VISIT TO THE DENTIST BY AGE 1 !
A child’s first visit to the dentist must be by age 1 as recommended by the American Dental Association.
A well baby dental visit must be done by age 1 rather than going to a dentist only when there is a tooth ache ! Introduce your child to a pediatric dentist and help acquaint your child to a dental home from age 1 to have healthy teeth through their childhood years !
NOT MONITORING CHILD’S BRUSHING !
Do not allow your child to brush or floss on their own atleast until age 9 ! Studies have shown kids do not have the proper dexterity to brush on their own until they are ready to tie their shoes on their own flawlessly !
FEAR TO TAKE KIDS TO DENTIST AS PARENTS GREW UP WITH THE SAME FEAR !
Some parents have a habit of going to the dentist only when they are in pain as they are scared ! Hence they transfer their fear to the child saying “it would hurt” if they go to the dentist !
Going to a pediatric dentist for your child through adolescence is very important just like you would go to a pediatrician for a well baby visit !
IGNORING CAVITIES ON BABY TEETH !
Parents think cavities on primary teeth need not be fixed as they are going to lose them anyway ! Actually all primary teeth are not supposed to be lost until age 11 or 12. Cavities treated early can be restored as simple cavities rather than waiting too long on them which can cause decay to advance ending in root canals and crowns. Also extracting primary teeth early is not always the solution as it will cause a child to lose space when their permanent teeth come in !
NOT USING FLUORIDE !
When kids are ready to rinse and spit out thoroughly after brushing they are ready to use a pea size amount of fluoride toothpaste for their twice daily brushing ! Professional fl2 application twice a year after a hygiene visit helps remineralize teeth and prevents cavities.