Why Pediatric Dental Care is Important
Pediatric dentists specialize in taking care of children’s and infants’ teeth and oral health. Most of the dental care providers in the field of pediatric dentistry are required to train another two to three years to specialize in handling small children and infants. Read more information about paediatrics when you click here.
Because every child is different, pediatric dentists have to make a wide range of approaches to make the children’s experience more comfortable. They need to make sure that the child doesn’t develop any fear when sitting on a dental chair.
Other things that these dental care providers provide include making sure that they take a child’s dental needs, parental preferences, history, and other factors into consideration before making any treatments or extractions.
When Does it Start?
A baby’s first tooth can erupt at four to six months. During the eruption of the first tooth, parents should make an effort to see a pediatric dentist to ease their baby’s discomfort and make sure that the rest of the teeth grow healthy.
Going regularly into the dentist will help the child have good dental hygiene, excellent brushing habits, and have excellent oral health in general. Moreover, their dental care provider will also suggest brushing techniques that the child should develop to prevent cavities.
There are a lot of reasons why babies and toddlers should see their dentists regularly. If you are one of those parents who want their youngsters to have healthy and beautiful smiles, here are the reasons why children should visit a dental health provider at a very young age.
Why Visit the Dentist with your Baby?
The American Dental Association recommends that a baby should make her first visit to the dentist by the time the first tooth appears. This can be at age six months and up to one year. This will make sure that the baby receives excellent oral care, and the newly erupted teeth will be free of cavities. Other reasons include the following:
- Prevent Problems Early
A person’s permanent teeth can stay with them until they are old. If the gums and the tooth are both healthy, there’s no reason why one should remove them and replace them with dentures when they get older.
Preventing problems early on will lessen the issues that an individual may experience when they become adults. Most children like to chew on sweet and sticky foods, and this can cause problems if they don’t brush their teeth regularly and thoroughly.
Sometimes, brushing may not be enough, and cavities can form. The pediatric dentist can spot problems that are developing early on. They can treat any oral diseases that might have been transmitted from mother to baby from birth.
Starting with healthy teeth early in life will prevent gum diseases and other complications in the mouth as one grows old. Your child’s first visit to the dentist should be fun and comfortable so that they will enjoy the cleanings and the care given by their dentists.
- Teaching Good Oral Habits
Some caregivers let their babies fall asleep with a bottle of juice or milk still present in the child’s mouth. The right dentist can inform the caregiver why this practice causes tooth decay early on, and they can also give tips on how to brush a toddler’s teeth the right way.
A child that often sees a dental care provider will be able to have a favourable view of oral care, and they can be more conscious of what they eat. Children will also be encouraged to brush their teeth twice or thrice a day to maintain a clean mouth before sleeping. Some good habits include flossing, brushing the teeth, taking care of the gums, and avoiding sweets and sticky snacks.
- Promote the Importance of Good Dental Hygiene
If a child develops good oral health early on, he can save himself a lot of expenses when he becomes an adult. He won’t need to have implants, braces, and root canal procedures that are expensive. Good oral health includes preventing gum diseases, avoiding bad breath, and making sure that the teeth are free from cavities.
Most dental care providers will ask the parents if they are providing their children with water that contains fluoride or if the children are frequently snacking on fruit juice and chocolates before bedtime. The good habits can be reinforced while the bad ones can be discouraged early on.
If kids start oral hygiene at an early age, they will be able to keep their permanent teeth throughout their life. They will also prevent plaque from building up since they know how to brush correctly. With the right dental care, any child won’t be afraid to sit on the dentist’s chair. They will look forward to it because some of them will have the most comfortable and great experience whenever they see their dental care providers.
The Bottom Line
With the right habits instilled to your children, they will be able to know the importance of why they should brush and floss their teeth. As parents, it is your responsibility to introduce the kids to proper dental hygiene early on so that they can practice it until they are adults. This can prevent expensive implants, fillings, gum surgeries and other dental problems. You can begin by searching for a legitimate and trusted dentist today and see your children’s options. Keep in mind that it’s not just saving money for any issues in the future but also giving the children the beautiful and confident smile that they will have for a lifetime.
