Dental Fun Facts about your Child’s Oral Health – Phoenix, AZ

Children, particularly babies, are heartwarming and adorable, especially when their pearly whites start to show. Aside from the child’s cuteness, there is much more to know about the child’s dental health.

Tooth decay is a common problem that both parents and dentists always face. It is considered an infectious disease because the bacteria that causes tooth decay can be transferred and shared between people. At 7 North Dental, we care about your child’s overall dental health. To help them achieve and maintain excellent dental health, we offer Pediatric Dentistry Services such as complete checkups, preventive treatments, and restorations. We share some facts below for parents and children to become fully informed about oral health.

Facts about Children’s Oral Health

• Bacteria in the mouth can cause fever and diarrhea during a child’s teething process. The influx of bacteria can overwhelm a child’s developing immune system.
• The enamel layer of the tooth is the hardest substance in the body. Enamel can last a lifetime if well cared for with proper brushing, flossing, and dental visits.
• Thumbsucking can cause oral complications such as a protruding mouth, crooked teeth, or issues with jaw development. Breaking the habit is important for proper tooth and mouth formation.
• A person produces an average of 100,000 gallons of saliva in their lifetime. That could fill two average-sized swimming pools! Saliva helps neutralize acids and wash away food in the mouth.
• Children have a set of 20 primary teeth. These help them chew, speak, and smile until age 6, when permanent teeth erupt.
• Teeth cannot repair themselves, so caring for them properly is essential as soon as they erupt. Small problems become big ones if left untreated.
• Like fingerprints, a person’s teeth are unique from all others, even in twins! Slight variations in shape, spacing, and alignment occur even amongst family members.
• The mouth contains more bacteria than there are people on Earth! Proper oral hygiene keeps the balance of good and bad bacteria in check.
• Tooth size surprises many people because a portion remains hidden beneath the gums, even in adults! Only the crown is visible, while the root stays anchored in bone.
• Tooth decay causes kids to miss more than 51 million school hours per year in the U.S. Pain, infection, and visits to the dentist for fillings or extractions add up.

Cavities Can Be Prevented

The good news is that cavities can be prevented with proper home care and regular dental visits starting when the first tooth erupts. Protecting children’s teeth early on gives them the best chance for excellent long-term dental health.

7 North Dental provides caring, child-friendly pediatric dentistry services in Phoenix, AZ, to safeguard your child’s beautiful smile. We show kids that the dentist’s office doesn’t have to be scary. As you prepare to head back to school, schedule dental exams and cleanings for the family. Let us help you set your student up for success this school year by addressing any dental issues before they become problems later. They can better focus on learning with fewer worries about dental pain and infections.