{"id":7,"date":"2023-01-02T01:07:29","date_gmt":"2023-01-02T01:07:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.baytowngentledental.com\/blog\/?p=7"},"modified":"2023-02-14T01:07:57","modified_gmt":"2023-02-14T01:07:57","slug":"myths-about-childrens-smiles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.baytowngentledental.com\/blog\/myths-about-childrens-smiles\/","title":{"rendered":"Busted! 5 Myths About Children\u2019s Smiles"},"content":{"rendered":"
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There are many exciting milestones that take place with your child\u2019s smile. From their first tooth to their last baby one to growing a full set of permanent pearly whites, you want their oral health to be in its best condition<\/a>. As you seek to find out what\u2019s best for your child, you hear a broad range of information. It\u2019s important to be mindful of what is true and false so your child\u2019s teeth and gums get the proper care. Here are five misconceptions about children\u2019s dentistry so you can know the truth about keeping your favorite smile in tip-top condition!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

#1. Baby Teeth Don\u2019t Need to Be Cared For<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, some people believe that since baby teeth fall out anyway, they do not require as much dental care as permanent teeth. However, this is completely false! Your child\u2019s primary teeth play a significant role in their development. Not only do they help them adequately nourish their bodies by breaking down the food they eat, but they also help them to speak properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, their primary teeth preserve the structure of their face and act as placeholders for permanent teeth. If your little one\u2019s primary teeth are neglected, there is an increased risk of dental problems and complications down the line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. Cavities Are Only Caused by Sugar<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the \u201csweet stuff\u201d is certainly one of the main culprits behind tooth decay, it\u2019s not the only one! Starchy, high-carbohydrate foods like chips and crackers can also increase the amount of plaque by triggering bacteria to create acid, which can attack the enamel in the mouth. If your little one\u2019s enamel wears down, it leaves them susceptible to cavities. The key is to remind your child to brush and floss regularly to prevent plaque and bacteria buildup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. Pacifiers Are Bad for Children\u2019s Teeth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Did you know that growing babies suck their thumbs or fingers in the womb? It\u2019s a natural reflex that begins even before birth. With that in mind, it\u2019s completely safe for newborns and babies to use a pacifier. Studies have even revealed that this self-soothing behavior can decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). In general, most children use a pacifier or suck their thumb between the ages of two and four. It is only a source of concern if the habit continues past the age of four.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. Children Shouldn\u2019t Chew Gum<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gum often gets a bad rap, but it may surprise you that chewing sugar-free gum can actually be good for your child\u2019s teeth! It helps increase saliva production, which washes away food debris and plaque. This helps to keep cavities at bay. And since it has no added sugar, the bacteria in their mouth won\u2019t produce acids to cause damage to their pearly whites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now that you are aware of the truth of several common misconceptions about your child\u2019s smile, you can set your child up for great oral health for years to come!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Author<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Ashraf Seif and his team at Baytown Gentle Dental are eager to help you keep your child\u2019s teeth and gums healthy throughout every stage of their childhood. He provides a full range of family dentistry, including checkups and cleanings, dental sealants, and fluoride treatments for your little one. By using advanced technology and personalized plans, he can keep you and your family\u2019s smile whole and healthy! To schedule an appointment, contact him through his website<\/a> or call (281) 837-9122<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There are many exciting milestones that take place with your child\u2019s smile. From their first tooth to their last baby one to growing a full set of permanent pearly whites, you want their oral health to be in its best condition. As you seek to find out what\u2019s best for your child, you hear a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.baytowngentledental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.baytowngentledental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.baytowngentledental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.baytowngentledental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.baytowngentledental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.baytowngentledental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.baytowngentledental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7\/revisions\/9"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.baytowngentledental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.baytowngentledental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.baytowngentledental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}