Over 13% of children ages five to 19 have untreated dental caries (cavities). If your child hasn’t visited their Lexington pediatric dentist recently, it’s time for a check-up. During the appointment, feel free to ask questions about any dental myths you’ve heard.

Here are seven common myths your Lexington pediatric dentist can help debunk. Differentiating fact from fiction can help you help your child with their dental care.

Read on to learn more.

1. Aggressive Brushing Works

Some patients believe that brushing their teeth aggressively will make them cleaner. They also believe that brushing harder will improve discoloration. However, brushing your teeth too aggressively can do more harm than good.

In fact, brushing too hard can cause protective tooth enamel to erode. Once tooth enamel erodes, your child can’t grow it back. Instead, it’s important to teach them the proper method for brushing their teeth. 

Brushing too aggressively can also impair your child’s gum health. For example, their gums might begin swelling or bleeding.

If brushing becomes painful, your child might avoid brushing their teeth. Bacteria and food particles can mix to form plaque; the tacky substance that clings to our teeth. When we don’t brush and floss plaque away, it can harden into tartar.

Your child’s risk of cavities and gum disease will increase if they’re not brushing properly. Their gumline might start receding, causing new dental complications.

During your child’s next dentist appointment, have the dentist demonstrate how to brush properly. Your child should brush at a 45-degree angle using slow circles. Have them reduce the pressure they apply to their teeth.

Consider switching your child to a soft-bristled electric toothbrush, too. 

2. Flossing Is Unnecessary

Flossing is essential to proper oral health care.

Flossing ensures your child removes any lingering food particles from between their teeth. Sometimes, brushing isn’t enough to clear these food particles away. Remember, food particles, saliva, and bacteria can mix together to form plaque.

Since a brush can’t clean the narrow spaces between our teeth, we need to floss!

Flossing every night will ensure the preservation of your child’s teeth and gums. It can help eliminate the risk of bacteria build-up by clearing away food debris. Flossing regularly could decrease your child’s risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and cavities. 

The next time you visit your kid’s dentist in Georgetown, have them show your child how to floss. In the meantime, help your child floss between each tooth before bed. 

3. Only Visit With Problems

You shouldn’t wait until your child begins experiencing problems to take them to the dentist. Instead, make sure to schedule routine check-ups every six months. Routine visits will allow the dentist to assess your child’s oral health.

If there’s a problem, the dentist can recommend proper treatment before more extensive problems develop. Otherwise, your child might need more expensive, time-consuming treatments.

Routine visits also allow you to take preventative measures in regards to your child’s oral health. 

For example, the dentist might recognize signs your child isn’t brushing or flossing often enough. They might recommend a fluoride treatment to protect your child’s tooth enamel before there’s a problem. They can also schedule X-rays to assess how your child’s teeth and jaws are developing.

4. Sugar Causes Tooth Rot

If you’re afraid to give your child sugary snacks, don’t worry: sugar alone doesn’t cause tooth rot. Rather, it’s what your child does after consuming sugary foods that can cause problems. If your child neglects to brush their teeth, their risk of tooth rot can increase.

Your child doesn’t have to cut their favorite sweets and snacks out of their diet. However, brushing and flossing are important to ensure the sugar doesn’t linger. Neglecting to brush can cause decay, tooth abscesses, and gum disease. 

If you’re worried about how your child’s diet is affecting their oral health, talk to your Georgetown dentist. They can recommend foods that can benefit your child’s oral health (like crunchy veggies and calcium-rich snacks).

5. Gum Disease is Rare

About one billion people (19% of the global adult population) have gum disease. Gum disease occurs due to plaque overgrowth. If your child isn’t brushing and flossing, their gums could become inflamed.

When left untreated, gingivitis can advance into a more serious infection: periodontitis. Periodontitis is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. 

Teaching your child how to prioritize their oral health now can help them avoid gingivitis in the future. When left untreated, however, periodontal disease can increase their risk of lung disease, stroke, diabetes, and heart disease. 

6. Lip Ties Are Rare

Tongue and lip tie conditions are often misdiagnosed and overlooked. Consider searching “pediatric dentist tongue tie near me” to bust dental myths about tongue ties. Some common myths include:

  • My child will grow out of it
  • All tongue ties have speech issues
  • We have to wait to treat their tongue tie
  • Tongue tie won’t cause sleep issues
  • Tongue tie won’t cause eating issues

Ask your child’s pediatric dentist lip tie questions and discuss their treatment options. They can help you determine the best course of treatment based on your child’s needs. 

7. We Don’t Need a Pediatric Dentist

Instead of taking your child to a general or adult dentist, make sure to take them to their Lexington pediatric dentist. Pediatric dentists complete additional training specific to children’s health, development, and psychology.

A pediatric dentist and their staff are more likely to put your child at ease during appointments, too. The cold, sterile environment of an adult dental practice could trigger your child’s dental anxiety.

Instead, ensure they receive the care they need by visiting their local pediatric dentist. 

Debunked: Visit Your Lexington Pediatric Dentist Today

If you have any concerns outside of these dental myths, don’t hesitate to visit your child’s Lexington pediatric dentist. With routine appointments, you can prioritize your child’s oral health. Routine appointments today can set them up for success with their oral health for years to come.

Ready to schedule your child’s next appointment? We can’t wait to see you both.

Contact us today to get started.