{"id":131,"date":"2025-05-01T19:06:04","date_gmt":"2025-05-01T19:06:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mightymolarspediatricdental.com\/blog\/?p=131"},"modified":"2025-06-13T19:07:28","modified_gmt":"2025-06-13T19:07:28","slug":"fact-checking-myths-childrens-dentistry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mightymolarspediatricdental.com\/blog\/?p=131","title":{"rendered":"Fact-Checking Myths About Your Child\u2019s Teeth"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Little<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

If you\u2019re a parent, you probably know that your child\u2019s health needs are often very different from yours. Their teeth are no exception, but if you try to do your research on the internet, you\u2019re bound to run into some misinformation! That\u2019s why this post is fact-checking several common myths about children\u2019s dentistry<\/a>. Keep reading to get the truth from a qualified professional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou Don\u2019t Need to Brush Baby Teeth\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sure, your child\u2019s baby teeth aren\u2019t going to be around forever. However, they do serve several important functions. For one thing, they pave the way for your little one\u2019s future adult teeth. If baby pearly whites are straight, their permanent counterparts are also likely to grow in straight! For another thing, these temporary pearly whites help your child learn how to talk and chew more effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If bacteria build up leads to cavities and tooth loss, then not brushing baby teeth can have a negative impact on your child\u2019s development. It\u2019s important to keep them healthy and clean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cChewing Gum is Always Bad\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Believe it or not, chewing gum isn\u2019t necessarily bad for your smile. While the sugary kind can increase cavity risk, sugarless gum actually helps keep teeth clean by stimulating saliva production and picking up excess bacteria. If your kiddo really likes gum, sugarless will do!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJuice is Fine When It\u2019s in a Sippy Cup\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The problem with fruit juice is that it contains a lot of sugar, and sugar accelerates bacteria growth, making it more difficult to prevent cavities with regular brushing. And the problem with drinking juice through a sippy cup is that children tend to bite and chew on the mouthpiece. Straw-like openings only limit a drink\u2019s contact with teeth if you take care not to launch the liquid straight towards your pearly whites!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basically, it\u2019s more likely that your child is increasing <\/em>the sugar content in their mouth with a sippy cup, not decreasing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cKids Can Brush Their Own Teeth Just Fine\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Just because someone is technically scrubbing a toothbrush back and forth doesn\u2019t mean they\u2019re doing a good job of eliminating oral bacteria. The Journal of Periodontal Research found that 5-year-olds only get about 25% of their dental surfaces on their own. It\u2019s good to encourage your child\u2019s independence, but for the sake of their oral health, it\u2019s better to supervise their routine until their motor skills become more refined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now that these myths are officially busted, do you feel better informed about your child\u2019s oral health? If you still have questions or concerns, or if there\u2019s a \u201cfact\u201d this post didn\u2019t cover, don\u2019t hesitate to contact your pediatric dentist. They\u2019ll gladly set the record straight!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Author<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Matt Strumpf<\/a> completed his pediatric dentistry training at the University of Illinois Chicago, and is an active member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. He believes children\u2019s dentistry is kind of like teaching them how to swim: it can be scary, but with the right people, it\u2019s not so bad! If you\u2019d like more information about your child\u2019s oral health needs, schedule a checkup and cleaning at Dr. Strumpf\u2019s office<\/a> by calling 651-450-6111.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re a parent, you probably know that your child\u2019s health needs are often very different from yours. Their teeth are no exception, but if you try to do your research on the internet, you\u2019re bound to run into some misinformation! That\u2019s why this post is fact-checking several common myths about children\u2019s dentistry. Keep reading […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nFact-Checking Myths About Your Child\u2019s Teeth | Mighty Molars<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Your child likely has different dental needs than you do, but there\u2019s plenty of misinformation out there! 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