Epic battles in which good triumphs over evil delight people of all ages. But most parents prefer not to wage war every night when the battle ground is the bathroom sink, and our enemy appears to be the stubborn toddler refusing to brush their teeth. We face teeth-brushing tantrums, hapless hide-and-seek sagas, and night-time negotiations ending in stalemates and stale breath.
As a mom to three kids, all with different feelings about dental hygiene, I was delighted to interview Dr. Dominic Italia, owner of Broomfield Premier Dentistry. Dr. Dom’s warmth, humor, and practical wisdom encouraged and enlightened me. I walked away equipped with some new ways to turn the tide of battle away from me, and toward the real nemesis of our children’s dental health: the sneaky sugar loving bacteria that cause cavities.
Here are a few myths Dr. Dom helped bust so our kids can be the heroes of their own dental health.
Myth #1: Baby teeth are just practice teeth, so it’s fine to put the baby to bed with a Ring Pop and a bottle of Mountain Dew!
Not true.
“Baby teeth are incredibly important,” says Dr. Dom. “They act as placeholders for adult teeth, help children chew properly, and support speech development. Good dental habits start early.”
In other words, those tiny teeth matter more than many parents realize.
Myth #2: My kid can wait for his first visit to the dentist when he has a full mouth of teeth and a beard.
Nope.
“A child should visit the dentist by their first birthday, or within six months after their first tooth erupts,” shares Dr. Dom. “This allows the child time to get used to the environment and to become comfortable having someone examine their teeth.. It also introduces and normalizes healthy dental habits early on.”
Myth #3: Juice is harmless compared to soda.
Unfortunately, no.
“Juice is surprisingly comparable to soda when it comes to cavity formation,” Dr. Dom explains. “Sugar feeds bacteria, which then produce acid that gradually wears away tooth enamel.”
He also warns against letting babies or toddlers fall asleep with milk bottles. Milk contains sugar too, and overnight exposure can cause serious damage.
A better routine? Finish the bottle, then brush before bed.
Myth #4: Brushing is enough — flossing can wait.
This one surprised me.
“If I were stranded on a desert island and could choose only one, I’d take floss over a toothbrush,” says Dr. Dom. “Most cavities happen between teeth, where toothbrushes can’t reach.”
Confession: before this interview, I wasn’t making my own kids floss regularly. It's just one more thing on the bedtime to-do list. However, Dr. Dom suggests starting small by flossing one weekday evening and one weekend night. The habit grows naturally over time.
Dr. Italia’s advice for raising tiny dental superheroes?
- Turn brushing into a game.
- Brush alongside your children.
- Let them help brush your teeth.
- Focus on consistency, not perfection.
Parenting already requires enough daily negotiations. If we can make dental care fun, consistent, and empowering, maybe our kids will learn to fight the real enemy themselves.
Armed with floss, silly songs, and a little patience, your young heroes can defeat those sugar bugs and keep their smiles shining for years to come.
"I"If I were stranded on a desert island and could choose only one, I'd take floss over a toothbrush."
— Dr. Dominic Italia