When it comes to your child’s smile, there’s so much to think about to protect their oral health during these critical years…even beyond brushing and flossing. From sneaky sugars hiding in healthy snacks to surprising habits that can weaken enamel, tooth troubles can sometimes start with habits and things you least expect.

Luckily, understanding these common (yet surprising) culprits can help you take proactive steps to protect your kids oral health. Let’s explore five sneaky culprits and how you can avoid them…with the help of our kids toothpaste, of course!

1: sneaky sugars and acids in healthy snacks

While avoiding sugary drinks and candy might seem obvious, sometimes it’s the healthy, whole-food snacks that can sneakily impact your child’s teeth. Sugary, sticky snacks like dried fruit, fruit snacks, granola bars, flavored yogurts, and more often contain lots of sugar that can bind to their enamel. Not only do these sticky, gooey foods stick to their teeth….they also trap bacteria. This gives bacteria a prime place to thrive and weaken your little one’s enamel.

To promote oral care for kids, we recommend they rinse their mouths (at the very least) or brush their teeth with kids hydroxyapatite toothpaste after consuming these sticky, sugary snacks. We also encourage you to examine nutrition labels, check out the sugar content, and swap for better options like real fibrous fruit (crunchy fruits often have a “scrubby” effect), nuts, and cheese.

2: skipping water after meals

We place so much emphasis on flossing and brushing with kids toothpaste, but the truth is that the “in-between” time is just as important when it comes to oral care for kids. Drinking water, especially during and after meals, can help to flush bad bacteria, food, debris, and acids from your little one’s teeth. Adequate water intake also works to prevent dry mouth, a condition that allows bacteria to flourish more than usual. Did you know that more than half of all children and adolescents in America are not hydrated enough? Without drinking enough water, food particles, acids, and sugar can linger on your kid’s teeth, which can increase the risk of plaque buildup and enamel damage.

To avoid this, we recommend leading by example and staying on top of your own hydration! You can also incentivize your little ones to maintain healthy hydration habits by giving them a fun reusable water bottle. Make water their go-to drink throughout the day and save sodas, juices, and sweetened milks for special occasions.

3: pacifiers, sippy cups, and thumb sucking

Research shows that prolonged thumb sucking, pacifier use, and drinking from sippy cups can lead to many kids oral health complications down the road. These complications can include poor jaw development, crooked teeth, a bad/misaligned bite, a narrow palate, and more.

How old is too old for thumb-sucking? This study found that the most significant problems occur when children continue to suck their thumb or pacifier beyond four years old. Most little ones will naturally grow out of thumb-sucking between ages two and four. But if they show no signs of stopping around three years old, dental professionals recommend stepping in to stop the habit.

Whether it’s a thumb, pacifier, or sippy cup, when the time comes to “step in”, we have a few recommendations to help them wean. You can try keeping track of triggers, implementing a reward system (like introducing a new fun kids toothpaste flavor), using open “big kid” cups, replacing the habit with a toy they can squeeze or fidget with, or in difficult cases…resorting to gloves. You can also try enlisting help from a dental professional to reason with them (we know reasoning with a little one is easier said than done). Whatever approach you choose, don’t give up! When it comes to oral care for kids, these early years and habits are critical to their long-term oral and overall health.

4: warm milk at bedtime

Warm milk before bed is a soothing tradition that dates back thousands of years! While milk has many mental and physical benefits for growing kids that extend far beyond sleep, it also has pretty substantial sugar content. Giving them milk before bed (especially after they’ve brushed their teeth) or giving them a bottle of milk to take to bed allows sugar to linger on their teeth all night long. These sugars feed bad bacteria, which can lead to plaque buildup and enamel erosion.

To avoid this, try giving them water before bed (and solidifying this habit early) and brushing their teeth with kids hydroxyapatite toothpaste to help remineralize their enamel. All of our kids toothpaste formulas are made with intentional ingredients that fight bacteria, scrub their teeth, and nurture their oral and overall health. Our kids hydroxyapatite toothpaste contains added nano-hydroxyapatite particles to replenish essential minerals in their enamel, from the inside out.

5: brushing too hard (or with the wrong toothpaste)

It’s easy for little ones to think that aggressive brushing will clean their teeth better, but it can actually lead to enamel and gum damage. On the same note, using kids toothpaste that’s too abrasive or full of chemicals can harm their vulnerable mouths too.

To avoid this, try explaining to your kid(s) that aggressive brushing is harmful….just like if they brush their hair too aggressively! Instead, encourage them to focus on small, gentle, circular motions on every individual tooth. We also recommend getting them a safe and effective kids toothpaste from our lineup. Our kids toothpaste options are formulated with gentle, effective ingredients that fall well within the ADA’s safe recommendations for Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA).

On top of that, our toothpastes are made with ingredients that are sourced and derived from nature. Our formulas do not contain fluoride, sulfates, animal-derived ingredients, or artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. With options like our mild mint toothpaste, orange vanilla kids hydroxyapatite toothpaste, and strawberry watermelon toothpaste…you can find a fun flavor that you and your little one(s) can enjoy for years to come.

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