Every parent wants their kids to grow up with healthy, cavity-free teeth. To ensure that your children are able to do so, you have to encourage good dental care habits at an early age.
By getting your kids get adjusted to the dentist, they won’t as afraid of the dentist like so many kids are. You can develop good habits in your kids now so they’ll be less likely to encounter problems down the road.
What’s the Big Deal?
There are quite a few parents who provide the minimum or no dental care when their children are young. They do this with the notion that their baby teeth will soon fall out and be replaced by adult teeth. Not taking your kids to the dentist regularly early on is dangerous and can cause permanent harm to their oral health. Their oral health should be a priority as soon as they get their first tooth.
What Does Preventative Dentistry Mean?
Preventative dentistry sounds a lot more intimidating than it actually is. It’s actually just any method or measure that a dentist takes to ensure your child’s mouth is free from tooth decay and other dental health complications. Cleanings and other preventative treatments prevent the need for more serious and expensive treatments later in life.
Benefits of Regular and Early Kids Dentist Visits
You should have your baby visiting the dentist by the age of 1. They may not need an extensive exam until the age of 2 if they are not snacking at night or being breastfed, but you’re better off safe than sorry.
After their first appointment, you should be scheduling dental check-ups with a pediatric dentist every six months. These regular visits will ensure that they are benefiting from all of the benefits preventive care comes with, including:
- Lower chance of gum diseases and infections. Preventative care targets minor cavities, plaque buildup, and general tooth decay. Treating these issues before and when they show up helps stop gum diseases, infections, pain, and speech disorders from developing.
- A trusting relationship with dentists. The sooner you begin taking your kids to the dentist, the more comfortable they’ll be interacting with the staff and doctors. Children tend to dislike the dentist because of the sharp instruments and the authoritative figures all around. The importance of building this relationship is why you as a parent can’t just choose any dentist in your area. You should look for a dentist who is able to connect with your child and can help calm their fears.
- Professional tips to help maintain oral health. Your child’s dentist is an expert in all things oral health. During your kid’s dental visits, you can learn what the best foods and cleaning methods are for at-home care. They can give you detailed tips on how to brush, floss, and eat right. They can also give your child specific advice based on their individual health.
- Helps identify orthodontic problems before they arise. Your pediatric dentist should advise you to get a full orthodontic evaluation for your child at the age of 7. This exam will identify your child’s skeletal makeup, which helps predict crooked teeth early on. The doctors can then set braces in place that can be modified as your child’s jaw grows. Many parents make the mistake of waiting until their child is in their teens to take orthodontic measures, but early care encourages better dental development.
Schedule Your Child’s First Dentist Appointment
Your child’s comfort comes first when choosing the right dentist to take on their preventative care. When you choose our team at Hamptons Dental, you can rest easy knowing that your child’s questions and worries will be handled with care. You can call us today to schedule an appointment. Your child’s first dental check-up and all of the ones after will go by like a breeze. You can trust their teeth will be taken care of with us!