There’s no shortage of advice about kids’ teeth. It comes from family members, social media, other households, and even memories from childhood. Some of them still hold up. Some of them don’t. And some of them can quietly lead to dental problems later. Let’s take a closer look at a few common dental myths and replace them with information that helps protect growing smiles.
Myth #1: Baby teeth aren’t that important
It’s easy to think this way since baby teeth eventually fall out. However, baby teeth play an important role in everyday development. They help with chewing,speech, and facial structure, and they hold space for adult teeth to come in properly. When baby teeth are lost too early because of cavities, adult teeth may come in crowded or misaligned.
Keeping baby teeth healthy often means smoother transitions as adult teeth arrive and fewer complications later.
Myth#2: Cavities are only caused by candy
Sugar plays a role, but cavities are more closely linked to habits than specific foods. Frequent snacking, sipping juice or sports drinks throughout the day,and even regular access to milk outside of meals can increase cavity risk. Teeth need time between meals to recover.
Treats don’t have to be eliminated entirely. Limiting how often sugary foods and drinks are consumed — and encouraging water between meals — can make a meaningful difference.
Myth #3: If there’s no complaint, there’s no problem
Children don’t always recognize or communicate dental discomfort the same way adults do. Early cavities and bite issues can exist without obvious symptoms. Regular dental visits help catch small concerns early, when they’re usually easier and less stressful to address.
Myth #4: Kids can manage brushing on their own
Most children need help brushing effectively well into elementary school. Even when they’re enthusiastic about independence, certain areas — like the back teeth and gumline — are often missed.
A helpful guideline: if tying shoes is still a challenge, brushing likely needs supervision too.
Dental care doesn’t require perfection. It works best with consistency, support, and reliable information.
At The Spot for Smiles, we make it our mission to introduce dental visits in a fun and engaging way. Give us a call! We have kid’s dental offices in Elk Grove (916) 290-0029 and Folsom (916) 283-3850.
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