Pediatric dentists recommend that all children should visit a dentist by the age of at least one. Most parents don’t adhere to this advice as they may think that their child’s baby teeth are not as important as the permanent teeth.
Baby teeth are pretty important as your child needs a healthy set of teeth to chew his food which is important if you want him to have good nutrition, proper growth, and development. Baby teeth instill a strong sense of confidence from a young age as they allow your child to speak clearly as well as holding spaces for the permanent teeth that will come through later.
The most common cause of tooth decayin children is due to baby bottle tooth decay. This happens when you put yourchild to bed with a bottle or sippy cup filled with liquid containing sugars. This exposes your child’s teeth to the sugars during this time period as the sugar covers the teeth and causes cavities. Millions of young children all over America develop cavities each year. Cavities can affect your child’s happiness as well as cause pain.
When Should You Start Bringing Your Child for Early Dental Visits?
Getting your children’s mouths checked regularly is best if started early as this will establish a healthy oral practice that will stay with them through the rest of their lives. Early dental exams will prevent cavities and tooth decay which can lead to pain and other medical issues. This will help your child digest his food better along with developing a strong sense of confidence.
The best age to start your child off in oral care is around the age of one, if you delay then the chances are that their oral health may suffer. Roughly about 25% of all children develop at least one cavity by the time that they turn 4 years old. Taking your child for his first dental visit from an early age will establish good dental habits.
What to Expect at the Dental Office
A lot of children usually judge their dental visits by their first visit so make sure to make it a pleasant experience and something that they will not have a problem repeating as they get older.
The pediatric dentist can examine your child’s teeth for any signs of decay so that cavities can be treated before they get out of control. The podiatrist can keep track of how many teeth have come through as well as guide you on your child’s oral hygiene.
4 Benefits of Early Dental Visits
1. Early Monitoring for Dental Diseases or Other Problems
Children’s teeth are just as liable to tooth decay as their adult counterparts. Baby teeth need protection so that they can complete their duty of acting as placeholders for the permanent teeth that will come through later on. Tropical fluoride applications or sealants can be performed to protect your child’s teeth.
2. Bite Development and Accident Prevention
Regular oral checkups will give your dentist an idea of whether your child’s teeth are erupting properly or not as well as preventing a poor bite. Malocclusion can be avoided by installing spacers to guide an erupting adult tooth.
All kids are prone to accidents at some point or the other but we can guide you on accident prevention tips as well as help you design a personalized mouth guard to protect your child’s
teeth.
3. Familiarity with Professional Dental Care
Children have to be comfortable with visiting the dentist and the only way to get them comfortable in a dental clinic is by taking them from a young age. This is pretty easy if your dentist is trained in working with children. Make sure to look around for a good dentist that you think your child will be comfortable with.
4. Advice for Parental Help and Assistance
A child’s dental care is most important if it depends on what happens every day at home. As a parent, you should encourage the habits of brushing and flossing as well as good dietary habits. Your dentist can also advise you on how to get rid of bad oral habits such as thumb sucking.
Starting early with oral care for your child can make all the difference to your child’s future dental health. The earlier you get your child started the better his chances of a lifetime of good oral health. So make sure to find a good pediatric dentist that will help ease your child into good oral health.
Author Bio :
A dental marketer at Michael G. Long DDS and a believer in holistic health, Grace Clark lives by the rule that health and happiness go hand in hand. She writes on various topics focusing on dental and oral hygiene, healthy living and holistic health. When she’s not working or blogging, she enjoys spending her time with her family and volunteering at the local youth centers
where she educates children about the importance of health and fitness.