Why are Dental visits important for your children
Why are Baby teeth important
This is a common myth amongst parents that the baby teeth are okay to have cavities because they will fall out anyways and their child will have a permanent set of teeth thereafter !! Through this blog, we want to educate parents about the importance of a healthy mouth in childhood. The baby teeth carve the way towards the adult dentition. They erupt between the age of 6 months (sometimes 4 months) to 3 years and last in the oral cavity until 12 years of age. It is so important that parents brush their child’s teeth from the day they see them erupting. Initially, they can just take a gauze and rub it against the tiny erupting front teeth, later followed by a soft small baby toothbrush and using a non fluoridated toothpaste. Only once the child learns to spit and after the age of 3 years, parents should introduce fluoridated toothpaste, using a pea size paste on the brush and encouraging the child to spit the excess while brushing.
One has to remember that Primary teeth (Baby teeth/Milk teeth) preserve the arch space for the permanent teeth. Early loss of Baby teeth can cause loss of arch space and further prevent the eruption of Permanent teeth in their designated space or cause crowding in the arch due to loss of space.
Early loss can also lead to the loss of self esteem of a child along with failure to be able to eat/chew foods that can cause malnutrition in their childhood. One should not forget that teeth are important for speech development as well. Premature loss of Baby teeth can also affect a child’s speech again affecting their confidence and overall growth.
Severe cavities in the baby teeth may cause toothache that wakes them up at night, may cause abscess in the gums which can spread to the permanent tooth underneath and affect its growth. In extreme cases, the abscess has the potential to spread the infection in the body causing high fever and Septicaemia.
Neglecting oral health in childhood creates the same discipline for the permanent teeth. A child that develops high cavities on their baby teeth is likely more prone to getting cavities on their permanent teeth as well and the trend continues.
Factors that predominantly affect the health of baby teeth : Juices/Processed carbs in the diet. We so commonly see little kids with a bottle filled with juice to keep them happy/pacified. The frequent intake of these juices supplies constant food to the bacteria in the oral cavity that break these sugar down into acids and damage the tooth causing cavities. As parents, we can help curb the development of the cavities by watching what we feed our kids. Say no to Juices and the carbs/processed foods. A diet rich in protein and vegetables is highly encouraged. Juices/milk before bedtime is one of the main culprits to cause Rampant decay in a child.
As a parent, one of the best things you can do for your children is get them started on the road to a lifetime of excellent oral health and happy smiles. At Parkway Family Dentistry, we especially enjoy getting to know your littlest family members. By beginning at a young age with good oral habits and prevention, children today can expect to enjoy healthy smiles for a lifetime.
Dr. Jain and our team have lots of experience in treating young children. We know how to speak to kids on their level while we explain what we’re doing in a fun, non-threatening manner.
Your Child’s First Visit
Many of our parents are surprised to learn that the best time to book your child’s first dental exam is around age one – or when they start getting their baby teeth, whichever comes first. For the first few appointments, we might only get to take a look at your child’s development and help them get used to the dental office.
Using a technique called “Tell, Show, Do,” we’ll show your child some of the different things we use so they can see that the dental office is fun rather than intimidating. We’ll count your child’s teeth and let them take a ride in the dental chair.
We love working with parents to become informed about your child’s oral health and development. Their dental appointments are as much for you as them! This is time dedicated for you to ask questions and for us to discuss the importance of proper brushing techniques, good nutrition for healthy teeth, and the ways thumb sucking and bottle-feeding can affect your child’s teeth.
As Your Child Grows
Growing up is hard work, and we strive to make dental care a bit easier for parents and kids. When your child is ready, regular dental cleanings, digital x-rays, and an orthodontic evaluation around age seven will ensure that your precious child has the best chance at a healthy smile and a healthy life filled with confidence!
Gentle Care in a Safe Environment
Our team appreciates the trust you place in us to manage your child’s oral health. We earn that trust every time you visit by providing your child with state-of-the-art dental care in a friendly setting where they always feel safe and secure.
We would love to welcome your child to our practice and look forward to meeting you. After just one visit, we know you’ll be convinced that there isn’t anyone else you would want to care for your children’s teeth!