When it comes to oral care for kids, it’s only natural to want to ensure you’re doing everything you can to nurture strong foundations. The habits they establish from a young age can pave the way for their long-term oral and overall health!

That’s exactly why we’re debunking five common myths about kids oral care, so you can feel confident providing them with the tools and guidance they need. We’re also exploring the benefits of our kids hydroxyapatite toothpaste, NEW mild mint toothpaste, and hydroxyapatite floss, spotlighting their important roles in the world of oral care for kids.

So, for a bright smile and an even brighter future, let’s bust some pesky myths!

myth 1: baby teeth don’t require much care

Baby teeth fall out. How important can they be, right?

The truth is that healthy baby teeth are essential. They lay the foundation for your baby’s permanent teeth…and the foundation for their long-term health. Baby teeth play a central role in speech development, eating, jaw health, making room for adult teeth, and more.

Baby teeth can develop cavities if not properly maintained through (1) proper kids oral care and (2) a healthy diet. A 2019 study in the UK found that 23% of children will develop a cavity by the age of five, which can increase their risk of tooth decay once their permanent teeth come in.

To take care of those baby teeth, dental professionals recommend bringing your baby to the dentist within six months of their first tooth or by their first birthday…whichever comes first. We also recommend no bottles in bed, clean pacifiers, avoiding sugary drinks (and sugary rewards), limiting sticky snacks, introducing cups around their first birthday, and brushing with kids hydroxyapatite toothpaste to protect their enamel as they grow.

myth 2: sugary foods are the only cause of cavities

Other common causes of cavities in children include:

• poor kids oral care habits: like avoiding brushing and flossing.
• bottles in bed: bottles in bed are never recommended for little ones, especially if they contain sugary substances.
• teeth grinding: this is usually accompanied by jaw tightness/soreness, headaches, and general discomfort.
• dried fruit and other sticky snacks: sugar, we see you pop up in subtle places.
• vitamin D deficiency: severe deficiencies can cause enamel damage, so be sure to get their levels checked if it seems like their tooth issues are coming out of nowhere.
• acidic substances: foods and drinks like lemons, limes, oranges tomatoes, and more can also wear down enamel.

In addition to these causes, a healthy diet is so important to pave the way for strong teeth and holistic health. A mouth-healthy diet focuses on whole nutrient-dense foods rich in fiber, calcium, protein, vitamins, and minerals…limiting processed, sugary, and acidic foods.

myth 3: flossing isn’t necessary for kids

This one is tempting to believe, especially since it can be so hard to get little ones to floss. But flossing is so important when it comes to oral care for kids, as it fights bacteria and plaque between their little teeth, helping to prevent enamel damage, bad breath, gum disease, and other complications. Not to mention, encouraging them to floss from a young age can solidify this habit into adulthood, which can work wonders for their long-term oral and overall health!

Here are some of our top tips to get your little ones excited (or at least not upset) about flossing.

• floss with them: to demonstrate good habits and create a bonding experience
• use a gentle waxed floss: like our expanding hydroxyapatite floss, which is infused with vegan wax & cocoa for a smooth, gentle glide
• play visual games: try making a diorama mouth with playdough or marshmallow teeth, showing them proper flossing techniques using string as floss
• sing songs and dance with them: flossing is a dance too, so you can play videos or do the dance while you both floss together.

PS: brushing twice daily is just as important as flossing! These two kids oral care habits work together to nurture strong enamel and prevent tooth decay and other dental discomforts.

myth 4: kid’s dental visits are only for emergencies

Preventative care is essential for everyone, especially developing children. As we mentioned in myth 1, you should bring your baby to the dentist for the first time within six months of their first tooth or by 12 months at the latest. After that, it’s important to go back every six months to assess changes and ensure everything progresses as expected.

Between ages 2-3, your little one should have all of their baby teeth, and by 4-5, they’ll be able to get their first X-rays to point out any tooth decay or other complications. Each visit is so important because the dentist can make suggestions about your kids oral care to help prevent dental problems down the road, reduce anxieties surrounding dental visits, and assist in developing a positive attitude around oral care.

myth 5: fluoride is the only/best option for healthy enamel

It’s easy to believe this myth, as the American Dental Association (ADA) will only place its seal of approval on fluoride toothpaste. However, science reveals that fluoride is not the only ingredient that can effectively remineralize and strengthen the enamel. Our favorite remineralizing hero ingredient, nano-hydroxyapatite, has shown promising results (especially for children) in recent studies.

• This 2018 study recommends hydroxyapatite as an effective remineralizing ingredient for children, especially since it’s non-toxic (and kids are more likely to swallow their toothpaste accidentally).
• This 2020 study confirms that hydroxyapatite oral care products effectively nourish and strengthen children’s enamel.
• This 2021 clinical trial concludes hydroxyapatite toothpaste is not inferior to fluoride when it comes to reducing enamel damage. It also confirms that it’s safer to swallow than fluoride.

Our own third-party lab testing (conducted with adults) revealed that our hydroxyapatite outperformed other leading sensitivity toothpastes. It effectively repaired and remineralized weakened enamel to soothe sensitive teeth within days. Check out the results for yourself!

 

optimizing kids oral care with Davids

Now with our orange vanilla hydroxyapatite toothpaste, strawberry watermelon classic toothpaste, and mild mint toothpaste, we have the perfect kids oral care lineup at Davids.

Your little ones can also get used to flossing with our innovative expanding dental floss, infused with remineralizing hydroxyapatite for strong enamel and vegan wax + cocoa butter for a smooth, gentle flossing experience.

buy now.