2 Bad Habits You’re Teaching Your Child

Posted February 3, 2016

Do you consider yourself a wonderful role model when it comes to teaching your child how to care for his or her smile? If you are making sure your child brushes and flosses his or her teeth every single day according to our suggestions, then you are definitely on the pathway toward maintaining your child’s oral health. Combine this with consistent commitment to scheduling checkups and exams, and things are looking good. Unfortunately, parents sometimes become unaware of not-so-great habits that might be damaging their own teeth, while their little ones follow suit. Allow us to help by highlighting a couple habits to rethink.

Habit #1: You Chew Gum With Sugar

While indulging in sugar occasionally is okay – particularly if you rinse your mouth afterwards and brush 30 minutes later – chewing sugar-filled gum is quite bad for your teeth. This creates an acid environment in your mouth that does not let up for extended periods of time, which may greatly increase your chance of developing cavities. Switch to sugarless gum, which actually offers benefits to your oral health (and the long-term habits and health of your child).

Habit #2: You’re Constantly Using Your Smile

If you’re showing your smile off because you are happy, you are chewing your food, or you are speaking, then you’re using your smile as it was intended. However, the overuse of your teeth and your jaws may lead to problems like injury, bruxism, or TMJ disorder. Teach your children to reach for tools and accessories when they need to open a package or tote something around. As a result, you won’t need to worry about your child developing functional oral health problems that can result in significant discomfort and long-term damage.