Caring for teeth is an essential element of children’s dental health, but unfortunately, less attention is paid to it. Americans spend over 1 billion dollars each year to fix their teeth. Unfortunately, some parents may not fully comprehend why they should take a child for a dental appointment before all the teeth have erupted. Smiles + Grins emphasize that starting these visits early can make a big difference in a child’s oral health journey.
Dental visits within the first year are particularly important because they can remind patients and caregivers of the importance of good habits. Read on to discover why positive dental patterns and regular visits are vital in the early years of childhood.
Establishing Good Oral Health Habits Early On
Routine, early childhood dental visits assist a child to learn proper oral hygiene. First visits familiarise the child with the dental environment thus helping them to have no fears during their subsequent visits. These early visits also highlight the importance of pediatric dentistry and help parents and caregivers teach children how to brush properly, floss, and select foods that promote healthy teeth.
If proper brushing and flossing are incorporated into the child’s daily regimen at an early age, then he or she will be able to brush and floss accurately as he or she grows up.
Preventing Early Dental Issues
Children are vulnerable to developing issues such as caries and early stages of tooth decay, from the time they start teething. Although baby teeth do not last long, they are crucial in the growth of the oral cavity. These act as speech therapists; they assist in chewing; and they assist in positioning permanent teeth correctly. Problems with baby teeth can cause the following:
- Pain
- Infection
- Speech issues
- Difficulty chewing
- Sleep problems
Pediatric dentists can identify certain abnormalities like signs of caries, improper bite, or malformation of the teeth. By making these corrections early enough with an experienced Upper East Side kids’ dentist or facility, parents can prevent these problems from becoming severe, expensive, and painful treatments later.
Understanding the Benefits of Fluoride Treatments and Sealants
Treatments involving fluoride and dental sealants are measures that seek to safeguard a child’s teeth. Fluoride is a natural mineral that can help make your teeth stronger and harder for acid to cause corrosion. For example, applying fluoride gel during a dental visit can significantly reduce a child’s risk of cavities.
Dental sealants are a thin plastic material used on the grooves and the pits of the back teeth, or the molars where cavities are most frequent. They seal the surfaces of the teeth and the areas where bacteria and food particles cannot be easily washed away. Sealants are also popular with children as soon as their permanent molars come in and usually at approximately 6 or 12 years old, the cavity–prone years.
Promoting Overall Health Through Oral Care
Poor oral health and hygiene can cause infections and other disorders ranging from the gums down to the lungs and even heart complications and diabetes. These early visits are crucial in maintaining children’s dental health and their general body health.
First visits serve to warn a patient and his/her dentist about the presence of such diseases as gingivitis, which is a preliminary stage of periodontitis. Oral diseases develop in the mouth and can spread to other parts of the body. Also, malnutrition has its connection with poor oral health in children because eating may become an issue of discomfort when a child is in pain.
Encouraging Lifelong Habits and Positive Attitudes
Biannual checkups give your child a positive attitude toward dental care from a young age. A study by the BBC showed that four in ten children are not attending their dental appointments. Early intervention with children will also reduce dental phobia. The more they get used to attending dental appointments, the better chance they have of maintaining attendance with the dentist into adulthood.
Pediatric dentists are those who deal with a child and the way he or she perceives things, and therefore may employ colorful language and methods to make the child happy. Often they might have some incentive like stickers or toys after the appointment which just adds to the positive experience. Dental healthcare givers ensure that children do not have a negative perception towards dental care procedures to ensure lifelong habits.
When and How Often to Start Dental Visits
The recommended age for a child’s first dental visit is half a year after their first tooth emerges or before they are one. After the first appointment, dentists advise patients to come for a check-up every six months. However, some children may have a higher risk of caries, developmental issues, or even due to recurring orthodontic check-ups they may require more frequent visits.
In Conclusion
A child must visit a dentist as soon as possible because of the importance of pediatric dentistry on their well-being. Check-ups create positive attitudes towards dental health; fluoride and reducing the development of new cavities on young teeth. Early regular dental visits not only promote healthy baby teeth but also solid primary teeth that will gradually deteriorate and pave the way for healthy permanent teeth. Ask your dentist for a consultation to discuss the treatment options for your child.