Why is it important to for children to practice proper Oral Hygiene?
58% of children aged 6-8 experience tooth caries in Massachusetts. If left untreated this can lead to:
Excruciating Pain.
Teeth only feel Pain. Warm is pain. Cold is pain. And touch is pain. If teeth are not taken care of properly, harmful bacteria will eat through the hard structure of the tooth (the enamel) and quickly reach the nerves in the pulp. The nerves from teeth are directly linked to the brain which is why toothaches cause such sharp intense pains.
Poor school performance
According to American Journal of public health, low academic performance of students with poor oral hygiene is largely due to missed days of school-due to emergencies and dental pain. Children with oral pain are 3x more likely to miss school than healthy children.
misalignment
Teeth damaged by cavities will cause overbites, and bite alignment problems. They will also interfere adult teeth from growing in straight and healthy. This will cause a misaligned smile which will negatively affect children’s self-esteem.
lack of self-confidence
Children with dental problems often lack self-confidence and are reluctant to smile. They also may be the targets of bullying. The mouth is usually one of the first things people notice when meeting someone new. Having bad teeth can induce false judgements on first impressions.
very expensive
Treating cavities can parents cost anywhere from $100-$400. If left untreated, tooth decay will become severe enough to require emergency room treatment. Hospital stays for this can run for multiple days and cost over $20,000. These problems also mean parents must miss work days.