Poor dental hygiene may lead to difficulty when chewing, thus poor food digestion. Concentration in school also becomes a challenge. Dental problems can cause damage to the permanent teeth too. Some kids develop speaking and pronunciation difficulties.
Children who don't brush their teeth are at risk for tooth decay and cavities, which can lead to larger issues later in life, like pain, infections, and problems with eating and speaking. It's important for parents to help their children properly take care of their teeth to avoid issues later in life.
Kids may have sensory issues
While many children dislike brushing their teeth, children with sensory issues may be especially resistant when it comes to this task. They may have hypersensitivity or either dislike the flavors or texture of the toothpaste or the feel and pressure of the bristles on their teeth.
Dental neglect can be an indicator of general child neglect. Inadequately treated dental disease may have significant long-term impacts on the physical and psychological well-being of children.
Prolonged time without brushing your teeth can cause tooth decay and gum disease to become more advanced, which can lead to receding gums and even tooth loss. Additional issues, including a higher risk for the onset of Alzheimer's disease, can be linked to high levels of unchecked bacteria in the mouth.
One week without brushing:
As soon as a week goes by, your teeth' enamel will start to break down. The plaque that hasn't been removed will make it easy for bad breath to grow. A dirty tooth will make it hard to clean. You will have a greater chance of getting cavities if you don't brush your teeth for a week.
Not only does poor hygiene habits result in periodontal disease, but an unclean mouth is also linked to heart attacks, pneumonia, dementia, respiratory infections, and more! The best way to maintain your oral and overall health is to get into the habit of brushing your teeth at least twice a day.
Several ADHD traits can make it hard to maintain personal hygiene. Being easily distracted can make you forego things like taking a bath or brushing your teeth. Being sensitive to hygiene products can also pose a challenge. Of course, there are instances of being forgetful with activities that concern cleanliness.
Oral signs of neglect are easily identifiable and are: poor oral hygiene, halitosis, Early Childhood Caries (ECC), or else untreated dental caries with rapid progression, extended on more than a half of teeth found in the oral cavity, odontogenous infections (recurrent and previous abscesses), periodontal disease, ...
While brushing once a day is better than not at all, brushing teeth twice a day further reduces the chance of tooth decay. Our poll found one-third of children aren't brushing their teeth often enough, with one in four parents believing once a day is adequate.
Forcing your toddler to brush, or even trying to brush their teeth yourself, will likely only lead to more resistance from them. Instead, let them take the lead. Give them the toothbrush and make sure they have a safe amount of toothpaste on, and guide them through proper brushing.
Making toothbrushing part of your child's daily routine from the start not only helps to prevent painful problems like tooth decay, but also forms the healthy habits which can set them up for a lifetime of smiles.
The most common reason for toddlers and preschool-age children to resist tooth-brushing is that it is boring. Young kids live in the moment and are focused on having fun — right now.
If your daughter still refuses to use toothpaste, have her brush with a wet toothbrush and no paste, and then follow up with a fluoride rinse. Many studies prove that topical fluoride helps prevent cavities, so this step is critical if she's not using toothpaste that contains fluoride.
While many children may avoid toothbrushing in favor of other activities, children diagnosed with autism may dislike brushing their teeth due to sensitivity issues. Medical professionals typically categorize these issues either hyposensitivity or hypersensitivity.
Untreated cavities can cause pain and infections that may lead to problems with eating, speaking, playing, and learning. Children who have poor oral health often miss more school and receive lower grades than children who don't.
Oral Health Preventive Care
Poor oral health can make your mental health worse. You might feel embarrassed about your teeth, or you may find it hard to eat or drink when you're with other people. This can cause you to avoid being with people, which can affect your well-being.
Some people are naturally neat. They keep their things fairly organized and try to avoid making a mess. But many kids and adults with ADHD are the opposite — they're messy most of the time. And it can cause problems at home, school, and work.
Most people who stop brushing their teeth will develop cavities (tooth decay) and/or periodontal disease (gum disease). Both can be painful and both can cause teeth to fall out.