As parents well know, children can get themselves into all sorts of trouble. One day they’ve managed to break something valuable, another they’ve had a fall and scraped themselves up and down, and another they spill food on themselves just before the big event. Sometimes it’s just hard to keep up.
Pediatric dentist Dr. Stuart Scott has seen it all. Aside from the damage kids can do to their teeth by not brushing properly, consuming too many sugary foods, and forgetting (again) to floss, they also find ways to damage their teeth by misusing them. Here, your pediatric dentist takes a look at common ways children we see in our pediatric dentistry office manage to damage their pearly whites.
Opening Things
Okay, so maybe you’re guilty of this one, too. Many people, frustrated as we all become with plastic packaging, will attempt to use their teeth to tear something open. While teeth are great at tearing and breaking down food, they are less so at managing plastics. Even soft plastic can be hard to stretch, putting undue pressure on the tooth as you pull it. In children, this can be especially problematic, and it may be a painful way to discover a tooth that’s ready to come loose. And, it may mean you need to make a visit to your pediatric dentist.
Related Post: Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures: My Tooth Is Chipped. What Now?
Holding Things
As with opening things, chances are that you’ve given this one a go yourself. While you may really want to get all the groceries inside in just one trip, you really shouldn’t put your teeth at risk. Children may carelessly try to hold a backpack or something else and painfully pull a tooth, chip it, or scrape it. Help them avoid all of these cringe-inducing injuries by advising them, as their pediatric dentist would, to remember that teeth are for food and food only.
Related Post: General Dentistry Advice: Dealing With A Chipped Tooth
Breaking Things
The name “jawbreaker” sounds a bit too much like a dare. Your children may decide they want to take the challenge, or they may just want to challenge one of their friends to break something with their teeth. Whatever games they may come up with, hard candies, rocks, acorns, ice, etc. should not be chomped down on. All of these things could chip a tooth or scrape into the enamel, making it easier to get cavities. To avoid a painful dental visit, make sure your children know this.
For The Best in Pediatric Dentistry, Choose Dr. Stuart Scott
Since 1993, Dr. Stuart Scott has been practicing pediatric dentistry with compassion and care. If you’re looking for the right pediatric dentist for your family, give us a call at 417-262-5515. We’re located right here in Springfield, and we’re ready to give you the best dental care available.
