You might have heard people say that you don’t need to bother taking your kids to the dentist because their baby teeth will eventually fall out anyway. While it might seem like a common perspective, the reality couldn’t be further from the truth.
In this blog, we’re here to show you eight really good reasons why taking your kids to the dentist is important.
Importance of Taking your kids to the dentist:
- Early Detection: Children’s dental issues can often be subtle and might not cause pain or discomfort until they have progressed significantly. Dentists can identify and address issues like cavities, gum disease, and other dental problems early on, preventing them from becoming more serious and costly to treat.It’s recommended that children start seeing a dentist around their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth appearing.
- Orthodontic Guidance: Dentists can monitor the alignment of your children’s teeth and jaw as they grow, providing guidance on potential orthodontic issues and the need for braces or other interventions.In the case of a single-tooth crossbite, a condition where an upper tooth is positioned behind a lower tooth when the mouth is closed. But here’s a neat trick called the tongue blade method that can help fix this.In this method, your child is supposed to take a tongue blade or ice cream stick and place it between the tooth that is in crossbite, and the child is supposed to push the upper side of the stick ahead.
Your child simply places a tongue blade or ice cream stick between the misaligned teeth and gently pushes the upper side of the stick forward. Doing this for 1-2 hours every day over two weeks can correct crossbites.
Not only does this promote a better bite, but it can also save you money on more extensive treatments down the road.
- Fluoride Treatments: Dentists can provide fluoride treatments to strengthen your children’s teeth and help prevent cavities. Fluoride is particularly beneficial during the development of their teeth.In the case of Early Childhood caries, a simple application of SDF (Silver Diamine Fluoride) can halt the progress of dental cavities.It is especially beneficial in case your child has dental anxiety.
- Sealants: Dental sealants are a powerful defense against cavities, especially for your child’s molars. These sealants work like protective barriers, applied to the chewing surfaces of their back teeth. Sometimes, these teeth have deep grooves that can be hard to clean effectively, even with regular brushing.Sealants fill in these grooves, creating a smooth surface that keeps out cavity-causing bacteria. Dentists can recommend and apply sealants to your children’s teeth to provide an extra layer of protection.
- Behavioral Guidance: Dentists can offer guidance on breaking harmful oral habits like thumb-sucking or tongue-thrusting, which can impact dental development.
- Prevention and Education: Dentists can educate both you and your children about proper oral hygiene techniques, such as brushing, flossing, and diet choices. This education can help prevent dental problems in the future.
- Reducing Dental Anxiety: Early, positive experiences at the dentist can help reduce dental anxiety and fear in children. Familiarity with dental visits can make future appointments more comfortable.
- Customized Advice: Dentists can provide personalized advice based on your child’s specific oral health needs, taking into consideration factors like teething, thumb-sucking, pacifier use, and more.
Conclusion:
Ensuring your child’s dental health involves more than just routine check-ups – it’s about catching potential issues while they’re still small. Remember, even if your children’s teeth appear healthy, regular dental check-ups are still essential for preventive care and to catch any potential issues before they become more serious.
Looking for a kids dentist in Modesto?
At Paragon Dental, we strive to provide high-quality dental care to our patients.
Call us now for an appointment at (209) 548-0100, or come by our clinic at Paragon Dental, 1108 Oakdale Road, Suite A, Modesto, California 95355.
