Dental Care is Important!
Keeping your child’s teeth clean and heathy is an important part of maintaining their overall health and well-being. Whilst children’s baby teeth will inevitably fall out, it is still important to help them maintain proper oral hygiene.
It is recommended that children start seeing a dentist from as early as 6 months or after their first tooth has erupted. This is done so that your child’s teeth can be well cared for and to help them build excellent dental care skills which will serve them for life.
Why You Should Take Your Child to See the Dentist?
Even if your child’s teeth seem fine, there may be other problems that you are unaware of which is why it is so important to take them in for regular check-ups.
It is also important because it:
Gets them comfortable:
Children are notoriously afraid of the dentist, but if you avoid taking your child to the dentist, you will be robbing them of the opportunity to enjoy healthy clean teeth. By taking your little one to the dentist regularly, they will have the chance to get to know the dentist, staff and appointment procedure, making them more comfortable and future appointments much easier.
Keeps their teeth healthy:
Children’s teeth are more susceptible to damage and decay making proper oral hygiene all the more important for them. As with adults, regular dental check-ups and cleaning for children are vital in keeping teeth clean and healthy and avoiding tooth decay. During these check-ups, the dentist can check your little one’s teeth and treat any problems in a timely manner.
Keeps their teeth clean:
During these check-ups, the dentist will also complete a thorough cleaning of your child’s teeth. These professional cleanings are imperative in keeping your child’s teeth healthy. Plaque begins building up on teeth after every meal or snack and if not cleaned away properly can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Whilst brushing and flossing can help with this, there are some spaces your child’s cleaning won’t reach. However, their dentist will be able to effectively clean away any dirt or plaque that may have accumulated.
Teaches them:
Dentists, especially paediatric dentists, are trained to treat children and therefore have an understanding of them. The dentist can help teach your child about the importance of good oral hygiene and the techniques on how to properly brush and floss their teeth which will help them from now until adulthood.
Identifies bad habits:
Despite checking your child’s mouth and teeth, there is a chance that you won’t find any problems, however, dentists are trained to spot oral problems even in their early stages when no real visible symptoms are present. Dentists are able to identify developmental problems such as those caused by bad habits like biting nails, chewing pens and pencils or thumb sucking. These bad habits can affect the way your child’s mouth and teeth develop and it is important to catch it early on, so it can be rectified before any permanent damage is done.
Offers advice:
The dentist will also be able to offer you and your child advice on how to properly care for their teeth and will even provide tips on how you can get your little one to stop any bad habits such as thumb sucking. Additionally, they can give you dietary advice to help your child eat right and strengthen their bones and teeth.
Identifies problems early on:
Children’s bones and teeth are still growing and even the smallest of dental problems can have a major effect on proper development. Dentists are trained to spot any problems in their early stages, so regular dental visits can help them pick up on any abnormalities early, resulting in a quicker and more effective treatment for your child.
Saves you money:
By taking your child to the dentist regularly, the dentist can spot any potential problems and treat it before it becomes much worse and costlier. They can also help keep your child’s baby teeth clean and healthy so that they don’t fall out too early which could result in the surrounding teeth moving. If the baby teeth move to awkward positions and then fall out, the emerging permanent teeth will also grow awkwardly and in the incorrect position resulting the need for orthodontics which can be expensive.
Taking care of your child’s teeth is more than just getting them to brush and floss every day and avoid sugary foods. Dental disease and infection can happen at any time, even when tooth decay is not the problem, so it’s important to get your child’s teeth checked out regularly to rule out any serious illnesses.
The earlier you get your child to the dentist, the better chance to combat any oral problems and help them maintain a set of healthy teeth.
Somerset Dental
Get your child to a Somerset Dental to help fight infection and bacteria and help your little one keeps their teeth clean, happy, and bright no matter what. Make your appointment today by calling 1300 707 046, emailing info@somersetdental.com.au or completing the enquiry form on our Contact Us page.
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