Did you know that your children have the same bacteria in their mouths as you do? Not surprising when you think about it. We share the same cups and utensils, steal food off another’s plate, kiss, etc. So, of course, we would have the same bacteria. This isn’t a problem if everyone has a healthy mouth, free of disease. In this case, I am referring to infected gums. And since 4 out of 5 adults have some form of gum infection that means their children have the bacteria that cause it, too.
How do you know if you have a gum infection? Since it is a silent disease (doesn’t cause pain), you don’t know you have it unless it has progressed to a moderate to severe infection. Signs of this infection include bleeding gums (when you notice this, your gums have been bleeding for a while), really bad breath (from your rotting gums), teeth that look longer or dark spaces between the teeth (bone and gum support have been lost), teeth are getting wobbly (bone lost and not enough tooth left in the bone for stability). But you won’t have pain. And now your children have the bacteria in their mouths and are at risk for developing gum disease as well.
As a good parent, what do you do? First, be evaluated by a dentist to see if your gums are healthy and if not, do the recommended treatment. More important, doing your daily homecare so your gums stay healthy. Brush your young children’s teeth for them after they brush until they can do a good job by themselves.
Unfortunately, there is not a whole lot you can do with teenagers when they are in the anti-personal hygiene stage. (I let them know that they can find another way to annoy their parents; that not taking care of their teeth is only hurting themselves.) It starts with you and your health, and that is extended to your children. As the old saying goes, “You don’t need to brush or floss all your teeth, only the ones you want to keep.”
If you want to learn more about how you can you take care of your teeth in Vista, CA, give our team a call at 760-940-0366 today!