An amazing number of today’s children suffer from poor dental health and numerous complications like tooth decay, cavities and the need for orthodontics.

In fact, Fox News reports that an unbelievable 42% of children between the ages of 2 to 11 have developed cavities in their baby teeth that aren’t being treated, highlighting a serious problem throughout America. Parents are neglecting their young children’s dental needs on a wide scale.

Could you be compromising your child’s dental health and set them up for an adulthood where they need adult orthodontics and emergency dental care? Find out with this list of the three most common mistakes parents make with their kids’ teeth:

Letting young children brush their teeth alone

Most children don’t develop the motor skills that are needed to correctly brush one’s teeth until after they turn 8 years old. Because of this, it’s important for you to supervise your child’s daily brushing routine, examining the teeth to ensure they’re adequately clean and helping him or her when needed.

Scheduling the first dental appointment too late

Many parents think their children don’t need to see a dentist until after all their adult teeth have grown in — however, it’s just as important for a child’s baby teeth to receive dental care. Each year, hundreds of children aged as young as 2 to 3 years old end up requiring anesthesia to treat their cavities and tooth infections. To prevent this, schedule your child’s first dental appointment after his or her first tooth has emerged, or by his or her first birthday.

Providing a sugary diet to your kids

Sugary foods are the mortal enemy of children’s teeth. Sodas, sports drinks and other sugary beverages are heavily marketed to kids — and these beverages help contribute to tooth decay and put your child at risk for periodontal disease. In addition, candy and sugar-laden cereals are also bad news for one’s teeth. Try to encourage healthier eating habits among your kids — and if you can’t wean them off soda or similar foods entirely, limit their consumption accordingly.

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