Oral health is an integral component of overall health. Crooked teeth affect not only children’s appearance, confidence and self-esteem but also their speech, tooth decay and gum disease. Two things affect the condition of our teeth - genetics and lifestyle habits and choices. Even though we cannot affect our genetics, we can affect our lifestyle choices and habits. And we can teach our kids to be conscious about their oral health. Keep reading to learn more about helpful tips to help children grow straight teeth.

One of the first and most important things is introducing the dentist when kids are young - we will discuss its importance further in the blog. Moreover, when it comes to bad habits related to teeth and oral health, we should ditch them all. You should be mindful of your kids’ diet and always strive to emphasise the importance of good oral hygiene. Additionally, you should do everything possible to prevent tooth decay and deal with tooth loss issues immediately.

1. Introduce the dentist when kids are young

As parents are not experts (except those who are dentists), they can’t know whether their kids will have crooked teeth. That’s why they should introduce their kids to the dentist early on. If you deal with crooked teeth on time, they can be corrected quickly. So, find a professional kids dentist and take your children for a check-up. Children can also go to a regular dentist, but it’s better to see one who specialises in dealing with kids and their oral health. Pediatric dentists not only know children’s teeth and developmental issues best, but they also know how to approach scared children, which is, you will agree, equally important. This will help children not develop a fear of the dentist.

2. Ditch bad habits

Unfortunately, plenty of bad habits can affect the condition of teeth in children, as well as the accompanying (oral) health issues. The number one bad habit children have that causes crooked teeth is thumb sucking. This happens because children stick their fingers in their mouths, pushing out the upper teeth. Also, what happens is that the lower teeth get pushed back, causing teeth misalignment. Furthermore, another habit that can result in crooked teeth is pacifiers. You can use the pacifier until teeth start coming out - with the first tooth, you should ditch it. Additional habits that affect the condition of teeth include tongue thrusting, reverse swallowing and breathing through the mouth.

3. Be mindful of your kids’ diet

It is common knowledge that sweet and sugary foods have detrimental effects on our oral health. It’s better to encourage them to eat simple and natural food. Be careful about foods that are hard to chew, as they can damage the teeth. Instead, promote foods that stimulate saliva and are rich in calcium, like yoghurt and soft cheese. Plenty of fruit also benefits kids as it contains malic acid, which helps teeth whiten. Also, avoid fizzy drinks, high in sugar - they are also awful for your kids’ oral and overall health. 

4. Emphasise the importance of good oral hygiene

When it comes to good oral hygiene habits, we start developing these from an early age. Teach your kids how to brush their teeth properly and how many times a day. Buy them a quality soft brush and a toothpaste that’s chemicals-free. Also, teach them to floss their teeth, as that is the best way to remove food residue between the teeth and hard-to-reach spots. You can watch some videos of kids brushing their teeth or generally of kids and their morning and evening routines. 

5. Prevent tooth decay

Tooth decay is something every parent wants to prevent. We get two sets of teeth in our lifetime: primary and secondary. We have primary ones for quite a short period, so they are temporary, first set of teeth. As we grow, we start replacing our primary teeth with a secondary, lifelong set of pearly whites. You should address an issue of tooth decay even with the primary set of teeth, as it can be an indicator that something’s wrong. It is dangerous as it can cause misalignment, crowding and poor positioning of permanent teeth. 

6. Deal with tooth loss issues right away

With kids in question, accidents and mishaps are possible and common. If your children lose a tooth in a mishap, you should immediately make an appointment with their dentist. You should do the same if your children lose a tooth without reason. The reason for this is the fact that a missing tooth can cause issues with the surrounding teeth. When a tooth is not supported by another tooth on the side, it might begin to shift to the gap, becoming crooked. You can prevent this by teaching your kids the importance of good oral hygiene and having them wear mouthguards during sports. 

Parents need to be aware that the condition of their children’s teeth depends on how they care for them when they are young. Keep these tips in mind to preserve your kids’ oral health.