Did you know that children love to smile. It's part of their nature. Having healthy teeth and gums are critical for kids. One of the most important aspects is getting your child to develop good oral health care habits. If they’re going to the dentist from a young age, it’s something they’re going to be used to and more likely to do as they get older. Regular dental visits will just be something that’s already in their routine.
The dentist can also help establish good brushing and flossing techniques. Dentists that are trained in pediatric care know how to interact with children and make them feel comfortable. They can use fun things like games and free toothbrushes to demonstrate how children should be brushing and flossing their teeth. This can help them at home, realizing that brushing isn’t something they need to fight.
Seeing their parents do the same thing is also helpful. Children love to mimic, and seeing parents getting dental care and brushing their teeth makes them want to do it too. If your child has anxiety when visiting the dentist, it’s helpful for you to be able to be there beside them. With a dentist that works with all ages, you’ll be able to coordinate appointments together to make sure you’re there to reassure your children
The sooner children begin getting regular dental checkups, the healthier their mouths will stay throughout their lives. Early checkups help prevent cavities and tooth decay. If treatment is ignored or severely delayed, lack of pediatric dental care can lead to pain, trouble concentrating and other healthcare issues. These little ones with healthy teeth chew food easily, learn to speak clearly and smile with confidence.
The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics report that every child should visit a dentist by age 1 – or as soon as the first tooth appears. This “well baby visit” teaches parents and caregivers how to care for their children’s teeth and help them remain cavity-free. Proper dental hygiene even at this young age is important.
For example, pediatric dentists see many young patients with cavities that came from falling asleep with a bottle of milk or juice. The dentist can tell the parent or caregiver:
Why this causes decay
The importance of encouraging children to drink milk, water and juice from a cup as they approach their first birthday
How to brush young teeth.
Dentists also encourage mothers to stop on-demand nighttime breastfeeding, after the child’s first teeth come through. Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease among children in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than 40 percent of children have decay by the time they reach kindergarten. As a result, learning is hampered and development is slowed during their formative educational years.
Also, there’s a link between early childhood tooth decay and having things like tooth loss and gum disease later in their life. Prevention is extremely important. Going to the dentist teaches children the techniques to learn how to fight tooth decay. Establishing those oral health care habits is both good for overall dental hygiene and also for the prevention of tooth decay.
Cavities often don’t show signs or symptoms until they’re severe and may need a root canal. This would cause significantly more discomfort for your child. It’s important to get to tooth decay early before it’s too damaging to their teeth. The dentist can use x-rays to locate any potential problems and make sure to address any underlying health issues which can be identified and corrected.
Pediatric dentists educate families on their diet as well. Children tend to have a diet that’s high in sugar, leading to problems with their teeth. With a diet balanced with fruits and vegetables, with less added sugars, they have less of a chance of developing tooth decay. Changing the diet can be beneficial for the entire family.
Getting children to the dentist early establishes good oral habits and encourages dental care for years to come. If you need an affordable dental plan for your children, visit the information on this website: https://www.careingdentalgroup.com/choose-your-dental-plan .
Or, contact me to learn more about the right dental plan for your family.