A research study done by the British Dental Health Foundation concludes that a mother’s maternal instincts play a big role in the oral health of their offspring. Furthermore, the ability to weather stressful situations and environments can also set the tone for the state of your child’s teeth. Dr. Gilly Calcagno, your Rochester dentist, highlights the study that shows how education, or lack thereof, can have a trickle-down effect on the dental well-being of children.
Instilling Good Oral Health in Babies and Toddlers
Children develop at an extremely rapid rate in their early years. Their teeth are a part of this growth. Until a child reaches school age, their understanding of the world is dictated by their home environment, primarily. Dr. Nigel Carter, Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, wants to reiterate the importance of instilling good preventive oral health habits in children before they’re even three-years-old. Preventive oral hygiene includes regular checkups with the dentist, brushing, and flossing teeth. According to the research performed by Dr. Carter and his team, maternal instinct and more extensive general knowledge are predictors of a mother being proactive with teaching their child the important lessons and habits involved in dental self-care.
Prenatal Dental Care
Maternal instincts are shown to result in more effort on the part of the mother to ensure the habits that will reduce the risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Dr. Carter stresses that instilling good oral health in your child can actually begin while your baby is still in the womb, with prenatal dental care. During pregnancy, balanced nutrition, plenty of rest, and taking care of your own teeth will set the stage. Gum disease is more prevalent in pregnancy, so regular visits to the dentist are more important than ever. The three keys that researchers are hoping all parents will remember to implement for themselves and their kids are:
- Brushing twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste
- Cutting down on sugary foods and drinks
- Visiting the dentist regularly
Schedule a Checkup for You, and Your Child, in Rochester
Calcagno Family Dentistry would love to provide you and all of your family members with our comprehensive dentistry services. If you’d like to arrange an appointment for a checkup, contact our Rochester dentist office at (507)281-3659. We are happy to serve patients in Rochester, Red Wing, St. Charles, Winona, Farmington, the 55902 zip code, and surrounding communities.
