While some things in life are complicated and offering the proper parenting regarding such things can be tricky, imparting good dental habits for children shouldn’t be. However, Dr. Peter Vanstrom, a dental consultant for CNN medical as well as a member of the editorial board for WebMD, says a tradition of bad habits continues to unnecessarily plague many households.
“For example, many people still believe that hard-bristled toothbrushes are the way to go — and that rigorous brushing is a good method for getting the mouth reliably clean, but that’s wrong,” he says. “Today, we’re seeing more and more young people in their 20s and 30s with receding gums and other problems that could be avoided.”
Vanstrom discusses three ways for parents to set an example for good dental habits for children and their lasting dental health.
Ditch hard-bristled toothbrushes
Don’t be someone who takes out your aggression on your teeth while brushing, especially if you’re an older person. Over time, forceful brushing with hard bristles can accelerate gum recession, which may increase sensitivity. Soft-but-firm is the way to go in a toothbrush. That can be accomplished by using a much higher count of soft bristles.
“With this kind of brush, you can actually improve gum health by gently messaging them, which stimulates blood flow to the area,” Vanstrom says. “I’m seeing more patients suffer from gum recession and disease at a younger age, including some in their 30s and 20s. That’s why it’s important to implement good habits when kids are young!”
Avoid a negative stigma toward oral hygiene
“Another bad legacy parents sometimes impart to their children is to put a stigma on brushing,” Vanstrom says. “In many homes brushing is considered a chore, probably because parents see it that way.”
An easy way to take the work out of oral hygiene is to have easy-to-use products that feel good. Fun products that are visually stimulating are good for smaller children, who are usually more prone to making a game out of brushing and flossing time. There are other products on the market that also make flossing easier.
Be mindful of the development of casual bad habits
For many, especially children, it’s easy to develop bad oral habits like thumb-sucking, nail-biting, straw-chewing, ice-crunching, and teeth-grinding, to name a few. And because they’re not as strong as adults, children may be prone to using their teeth to open plastic bags and such. Of course, the habits of our childhood often stay with us in adulthood, so Vanstrom says to lead first by example and make sure your child doesn’t pick up these habits on their own or through someone else.
Dr. Peter Vanstrom is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry and was inducted as a Fellow in the Pierre Fauchard Academy. He has appeared as a dental expert on several segments of CNN, CBS, NBC, and ABC. He currently serves as a dental consultant for CNN medical as well as a member of the editorial board for WebMD. Dr. Vanstrom has been an invited speaker at the Academy of General Dentistry, the Hinman Dental Meeting, the Greater New York Dental Meeting, the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the Yankee Dental Meeting and the British Dental Association. He is the founder and director of Paradigm Dental Consulting.
