Recent research reveals parents’ alarming lack of dental knowledge is putting their children at risk.
Results from a recent study have revealed that a shocking percentage of parents are unprepared to safeguard their children’s dental health.
According to the study of 1,000 parents with kids under 13, the following head-turning statistics are true:
25% admit they lack knowledge about children’s oral health.
25% think that cavities in their children’s baby teeth don’t matter.
33% don’t take their children for their first dental visit until they have all their milk teeth.
50% stop helping their children brush their teeth too early.
50% don’t know how much should fluoride should be in their children’s toothpaste.
66% didn’t know what kind of toothbrush their child should be using.
The knowledge gap is leading to dangerous behaviour, such as up to a third of parents giving their children milk to drink before bed – after they’ve brushed their teeth.
We hope that, as regular readers of the 543 blog, you feel better informed than most. However, it’s always good to have a reminder – so here are the top 10 ways to ensure your children’s dental health gets off to a good start:
- Bring your baby to see the dentist when their first tooth pokes through, or before their first birthday – whichever comes first!
- As soon as you can see a tooth, you should be brushing it gently.
- Give them a toothbrush with a small head and soft bristles.
- Help your children to brush their teeth twice daily, for two minutes each time.
- Make sure they are using a toothpaste containing the recommended amount of toothpaste check here.
- Teach them to spit after brushing, but not rinse.
- Limit snacks between meals, as they extend the duration of acid attacks on teeth.
- Any snacks they do need should be sugar-free, such as cheese and vegetable batons.
- Give them water to drink between mealtimes and if they need a drink at bedtime.
- Never put them to bed with a bottle of anything but water.
And if you know any first-time parents out there who might benefit from some free and friendly dental advice, please share this post with them! You might also direct them to the Teeth Team website, which has loads of great information for children and parents at all stages of the adventure!
