Parents often think visits to the children’s dentist are only about preventing cavities. But our children’s dentist in Lombard, IL, actually offers a wide range of services and expertise that connect your child’s oral health with their overall health.
Our children’s dentist focuses not only on your child’s teeth but also on how their habits, diet, and development affect their smile and long-term wellness. That’s why yearly visits with Dr. Julie Glud are so important – she can spot problems before they impact your child’s health. So, call (630) 629-5700 to request a children’s dental appointment at Dental Care of Lombard, IL, today!
Little smiles require special care and attention. In this blog, we reveal surprising things our children’s dentist in Lombard, IL, wishes all parents knew. Let’s get started!
1. Skip the Sippy Cup After Age Two
Many parents assume sippy cups are harmless, but your children’s dentist may caution against long-term use. Constant sipping can lead to cavities, even if the cup contains milk or juice. Prolonged use can also impact tongue posture and jaw growth.
Dr. Glud usually suggests transitioning children to open cups around their second birthday. This helps support healthy swallowing, speech development, and proper jaw positioning. By moving away from sippy cups early, parents protect both their kiddos’ teeth and overall growth.
2. Limit or Avoid Juice Altogether
Even 100% fruit juice can be harmful to teeth. Our children’s dentist often explains that juice contains natural sugars and acids that erode enamel and increase the risk of cavities.
Many parents think juice is a healthy choice. However, sipping juice throughout the day is particularly damaging, as it exposes teeth to sugar for long periods. Water and milk are better options. But if juice is allowed, Dr. Glud recommends limiting it to special occasions and offering it only with meals.
3. Start Dental Visits by Age One
Some parents delay dental visits until preschool, but Dr. Glud encourages the first visit by age one. This early visit helps catch problems such as cavities, tongue-tie, or improper bite before they worsen. It also allows parents to receive guidance on diet, brushing techniques, and fluoride use.
Plus, starting visits early also makes children more comfortable in the dental chair. By age one, your children’s dentist helps set the stage for lifelong healthy dental habits.
4. Pacifiers and Thumb-Sucking Have Age Limits
Your children’s dentist understands pacifiers and thumb-sucking soothe babies, but these habits need limits. If they continue past age two or three, they can change how the teeth and jaws grow.
Extended sucking can lead to open bites, crooked teeth, or speech issues. Your children’s dentist can provide gentle strategies to reduce these habits. The goal is not to cause stress but to protect long-term oral health and proper bite alignment.
5. Oral Health Affects Speech Development
Parents may not realize how much oral health influences speech. A children’s dentist looks for issues like misaligned teeth, tongue-tie, or narrow jaws, which can make certain sounds harder to pronounce.
Early intervention supports clearer speech and prevents frustration for children. Dr. Glud may recommend dental treatments, exercises, or referrals to speech specialists when needed. This connection between speech and oral health highlights why regular checkups at Dental Care of Lombard are about more than cavities.
6. Dental Sealants Are Helpful for Young Children
Many parents associate sealants with older kids, but your children’s dentist may recommend them for younger kids, too. As soon as permanent molars come in, sealants protect against cavities in the deep grooves.
Sealants block food and bacteria from hiding in hard-to-clean areas. According to the CDC, children without sealants have nearly three times more cavities compared to children with sealants. So, your children’s dentist in Lombard, IL, may suggest sealants as part of preventive care.
7. Snacks Matter More Than Meals
It’s not only what kids eat but also how often they eat that matters. Constant snacking means constant acid attacks on teeth.
Your children’s dentist recommends structured snack times instead of all-day grazing. By spacing out meals and snacks, saliva has time to wash away food and neutralize acids.
8. Breathing Habits Can Affect Development
Mouth breathing may seem harmless, but our children’s dentist knows it can impact facial growth, sleep, and oral health. Children who breathe mostly through their mouths may develop dry mouth, narrow jaws, or crowded teeth.
Our children’s dentist often checks for signs of airway issues and may suggest evaluations by an ear, nose, and throat specialist. Correcting mouth breathing helps protect both dental health and overall well-being.
9. Sports Drinks Are as Bad as Soda
Many parents assume sports drinks are healthier than soda, but our children’s dentist will tell you they are as bad or even worse than soda. Sports drinks are highly acidic and sugary, which erodes enamel quickly. They are particularly harmful for kids involved in sports who sip them frequently.
Your children’s dentist in Lombard, IL, recommends water as the best hydration option, even during athletic events. Teaching children this habit early prevents unnecessary enamel damage.
10. Dental Health Affects the Whole Body
Perhaps the most surprising advice from your children’s dentist is that oral health connects to total health. Gum infections, untreated cavities, and chronic oral pain can affect sleep, concentration, growth, and even heart health.
Your children’s dentist views the mouth as part of the whole body, not a separate system. By caring for oral health, parents help their children thrive in every aspect of life.
Why Listening to Your Children’s Dentist Matters
A children’s dentist does more than check for cavities. Dr. Glud provides advice on habits, diet, speech, growth, and even sleep.
Parents may be surprised by some recommendations, but these tips prevent bigger problems later. But remember: choosing a children’s dentist means investing in your child’s long-term health, confidence, and happiness.
Visit Our 5-Star Children’s Dentist in Lombard, IL, Today!
Following the guidance of your children’s dentist can save you time, money, and stress. Most importantly, it ensures that your children grow up healthy, confident, and cavity-free. So, book a visit for your kiddos on our website here, or contact Dr. Glud and the Dental Care of Lombard team at (630) 629-5700 for scheduling, information, and more!
