As impressionable young children, most of us were taught to brush our teeth at least twice a day, floss at least once, and to visit the dentist every six months for a dental checkup and cleaning. If you have children, we hope you’ve continued the tradition of teaching proper dental care to your children, as well. To highlight the importance of instilling good hygiene habits in your children, Ankeny family dentist Dr. Amanda Foust explores a study that suggests a mom’s influence on her child’s dental health may be more profound than you think.
Early Dental Education
Perhaps the most obvious influence on your child’s oral health is what you teach them. If you never teach your child how to properly clean and maintain their teeth, then chances are that the habit of neglect will carry on throughout their lives, leading to disastrous results that can severely damage or destroy his/her natural smile. However, by teaching them early how to brush and floss their teeth, you can help prepare them for a lifetime of strong, healthy, and beautiful smiles. Until your child can brush and floss alone, it is your responsibility to ensure good dental health. The American Dental Association (ADA) suggests wiping your baby’s gums before their teeth come in to keep the mouth free of germs and debris. Once the first tooth erupts, brush it with a soft-bristled infant toothbrush and water. Do not use toothpaste until your child is old enough not to swallow it. As your child grows, the habit will become stronger, and soon they will brush and floss as naturally as you do.
A Study on Mom’s Influence
A recent study conducted by researchers at Case Western University School of Dental Medicine examined the long-term dental health of 224 adolescents. The researchers studied health and dental information from the students from as early as three years old, as well as interviews with their mothers to determine how dental care was approached in these early years. The results of the study suggest that mothers with more education and healthy emotional states had children with significantly healthier teeth and gums. Researchers point out that these results exemplify the importance of a mother’s influence during her child’s formative years, and advise mothers to take special care of their own, as well as their child’s, dental health.
Excellent Dental Care in Ankeny
To learn more about excellent dental care for you and your family, call Dental Impressions today at (515) 965-0230 to schedule an appointment with your Ankeny family dentist. Located in the 50021 area, we proudly serve patients from Ankeny, Polk City, Bondurant, Elkhart, Alleman, and all surrounding communities.
