By Soumava Goswami
If your child has already started showing signs of their first teeth breaking through their gums, you may be wondering when they should visit the dentist.
Everyone tends to downplay the importance of taking care of their teeth, even at a baby level.
Experts advise new parents to start promoting kid’s dental habits from the first six months of having baby teeth.
Keep reading as we explore the best reasons why this is good advice and why regular dental visits thereafter are equally valuable.
Dental Check-Ups Are Important At Any Age
Routine dental check-ups form an important part of any oral hygiene routine. If you’re not fond of going to the dentist, you may be tempted to put off subjecting your child to a potentially unpleasant experience for as long as possible.
In some cases, you may be setting yourself up for a hassle down the road. The following are reasons why your child should visit the dentist.
1. Facilitates the Detection of Cavities Earlier
It’s usually the feeling that, while kids do get dental care technically from the point when the actual teeth begin erupting, their actual oral care shouldn’t start unless their permanent teeth start growing in behind the current-day baby teeth.
The common problem is always a matter of “Why bother with teeth since they’re just going to come out anyway?” Pay attention to your child’s adult teeth growing rapidly under the current teeth.
Since baby teeth also guide permanent teeth into place, baby teeth must be taken care of as soon as possible. Consistent dental appointments will prevent cavities and fill in any cavities that are already present.
Children who eat too many sugary foods are more likely to get cavities. Without treatment, your little one might need a root canal.
Not only will this hurt your little one, but it will also stress you out. Stop cavities in your little one’s mouth by following these tips:
- Restrict sugary foods and soda drinks
- Encourage your child to brush and floss
- Don’t give bedtime bottles
- Select healthy snacks
- Avoid over-snacking between meals
- Make your child drink water after meals, since this will rinse off bacteria
- Make your children chew raw vegetables such as carrots
- Let your child choose their cartoon-themed toothbrush in order to make them brush
2. Ensures Proper Development
Not all kids get to have beautiful, straight teeth, and some begin with crooked teeth. The regular dental visits also enable your dentist to keep an eye on your little one’s permanent teeth as they develop properly.
Crooked teeth that are developing can be seen, and early detection makes corrective treatment more possible. Correct growing of your children’s teeth also rules out the risk of future speech and eating issues.
3. Evaluate Dental Habits
It may be difficult to make your little one brush and floss their teeth correctly. Your dentist will be able to assess your child’s current brushing routine and check to see if all surfaces are being cleaned.
They will also provide tips on brushing and flossing methods, which can be a big help if it’s your first time handling small hands and teeth. The visit may also involve teeth cleaning and polishing.
This activity helps to remove the accumulated tartar and plaque that may be forming in the hard-to-reach areas of your child’s mouth.
You can be sure that the harmful bacteria are being destroyed, even at periods when your child is being stubborn about you helping them brush their teeth.
4. Check for Possible Dental Problems
No matter how good you are at taking care of your child’s teeth, there is always a chance that your child can still get teeth problems.
Some of these include the following:
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Chewing issues
- Crowded teeth
- Protruding teeth
- Abnormally spaced teeth
- Thumb sucking that may lead to twisted teeth
First visits can enable your dentist to review these potential issues and recommend the treatment that they will required. It is worth dealing with such issues and will minimize the risk of issues from getting in the way of healthy teeth.
5. Educates Your Child to be at Ease with Dentists
It is typical for children to fear the dentist, and it typically stems from not understanding what happens. Your child may also react to your own actions when confronted with the dentist.
Going there regularly can do a world of good to get your child familiar with dental checkups.
It’s best to visit the same dentist that you go to so they can get comfortable with the doctor and the process. They won’t be afraid as much of someone you like visiting, too.
6. Reduced Pain and Anxiety
If a child is not regular with his or her dental care, then it can be the cause of pain and anxiety.
With a proper dental routine and checkups, it becomes easy to reduce any dental problems and prevent any future dental problems as well.
7. Improved School Performance
As per studies, it has been seen that children with good oral hygiene perform good at school. While it has been seen that students with bad oral hygiene are likely to lose focus and concentration in school, which results in them getting lower grades.
8. Increased Self-Esteem
Children with good dental care tend to have a healthier smile that directly impacts their self-esteem and confidence.
So, it is one of the major reasons why your child should visit the dentist to keep up with their dental hygiene.
For A Brighter Smile!
Learning to practice good dental hygiene at home is just the start of teaching your little one the importance of taking care of their teeth properly are reasons why your child should visit the dentist
Teaching your child how to relax in the dentist’s chair will not only prevent future dental issues but will also set them up for a lifetime of having a healthy oral routine!
Read Also:
