Does Early Dental Treatment for Kids Help?
Do children need to seek out treatment at a young age for the sake of their oral health? The answer is yes. Early treatment helps to save kids’ permanent teeth by halting the decay process or preventing cavities from forming altogether. By catching any conditions and symptoms early, your pediatric dentist will be able to diagnose the issue and treat it properly and effectively.
There are two types of dental care for kids: Primary and Preventive.
Early and preventive dental care (also known as prophylaxis) can help children of all ages establish healthy, comfortable teeth and gums. This type of care helps prevent tooth decay and other oral diseases by removing plaque buildup, tartar build-up, and stains from the surfaces of your child’s teeth. Primary dental care focuses on these, as well as whitening your child’s teeth, before any visible signs of damage occur.
Some important preventative treatments for kids include:
• Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are materials that are translucent and similar to plastic that dentists use to spread on teeth. They remain on the surface of teeth to stop cavities from forming.
• Teeth Cleanings
Children will require a cleaning at least twice a year. The cleaning eliminates plaque and tartar. It’s tough to remove plaque at home so having a dentist with their specialized tools take care of this will prevent cavities from forming.
• Fluoride Treatment
Applying fluoride to teeth increases its strength. It makes it so that teeth are stronger to combat acid and bacteria.
Benefits to Early Treatment
Early treatments can help prevent serious diseases that not only create severe discomfort but also affect a child’s overall health. It is important to visit your dentist every six months to ensure that your child’s teeth and gums remain healthy.
Many young children who form cavities due to falling asleep with a bottle of milk or juice are seen by pediatric dentists. The dentist can inform the parent:
- Why this habit causes decay
- Why children should drink liquids from a cup when they turn one
- How to brush children’s teeth
- Why to stop on-demand nighttime breastfeeding after the first tooth of a child comes through
Having the right amount of knowledge at your disposal is crucial to taking care of your children’s oral health. That is why visiting a pediatric dentist with your child will ensure that you know all of the facts.
The benefits of early dental treatment for kids may include:
• A more positive attitude towards visiting the dentist
• Decreased risk of cavities, tooth decay, and other oral diseases
• Improved appearance that can boost self-esteem
• Reduced need for extensive procedures in the future
• Being able to determine if what you’re doing at home works
• Identifying problems right away and resolving them
• Helping your child learn proper techniques in regards to oral hygiene
When Should I Take My Child to the Dentist?
The recommended time that you take your child to the dentist is around when their first tooth comes in. This is typically around six months of age according to the American Dental Association (ADA). You generally do not want to wait until their first birthday to take them into the dentist.
The first visit will revolve around getting your child used to the dentist’s chair and learning more about how to care for a child’s teeth.
What to Expect During the First Visit
Your pediatric dentist will perform a routine exam searching for tooth decay and checking out your child’s bite, jaw, and gums looking for any problems that can affect teeth. They will also clean the teeth and gums carefully. They will also inform you on how best you can properly care for your child’s teeth.
Your dentist will most likely tell you to come in for appointments at least twice a year. However, depending on your child’s individual needs, this amount could vary.
Conclusion
By the time your child’s first tooth erupts, it’s important to introduce them to the dentist. This forms good oral hygiene habits from the start. It also allows you to learn more about how to care for your child’s teeth. Some of the important things that you will learn include how to brush your child’s teeth and other techniques to implement to ensure adequate oral hygiene. It is important to visit your dentist every six months to ensure that your child’s teeth and gums remain healthy.
Contact our office today for more information.
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