Your child’s sweet smile is likely one of their best features, and you might have waited for months to see that first tooth show when they grin. Once your child has a first tooth, they’ll need to see the dentist around once a year as long as they have good oral health. Making sure your children see their dentist for regular visits offers these five important benefits for their development.
1- Keep Tooth Enamel Strong
Feeding your child a healthy diet that includes sources of calcium helps to build strong tooth enamel. But, you’ll also want to help those cute little teeth maintain their strength. Regular dental visits involve teeth cleanings that help to keep bacteria levels in the mouth lower. Your child’s dentist might also recommend using a fluoride treatment to further strengthen their tooth enamel.
2- Prevent Early Tooth Loss
Even young children are at risk of losing teeth due to tooth decay. If a cavity reaches too far into the dental pulp, then the dentist might need to extract the tooth. Going to the dentist for regular dental exams helps to identify small problems when a simple filling could be the solution to stopping the decay from spreading. Since baby teeth serve as placeholders for adult ones, early treatment of tooth decay can also stop shifting in the mouth which could lead to a need for braces.
3- Perform an Early Orthodontic Assessment
Speaking of braces, many parents wonder when to begin orthodontic care. Children’s dentists tend to begin checking jaw development and tooth alignment early. In some cases, your child might be able to begin orthodontic treatment while they still have baby teeth. Doing so can help their adult teeth grow straighter, which could prevent long-term forms of orthodontic treatment as they grow.
4- Support Healthy Oral Hygiene Habits
Children often leave plaque and food debris behind as they brush, but it’s still important to encourage them to do their best. During dental cleanings, a hygienist will help to remove any build-up that develops on your child’s teeth. Cleaning around the gum line and between teeth prevents tooth decay. Your child can also get help learning proper brushing and flossing techniques during these visits.
5- Create Positive Dental Experiences
One of the most important reasons why your child should see a dentist regularly is to develop good relationships with the team at their dental office. Most cases of dental anxiety involve the fear of the unknown or an unpleasant experience. Giving children multiple positive experiences with going to the dentist as they grow makes it more likely that they’ll maintain their routine as they reach adulthood.
If you’re unsure of how often your child needs to see their dentist, then simply ask the team at your local dental office. They’ll help you set up a first visit and create a schedule for future ones based on their age and oral health needs. Staying on top of these essential early dental visits helps your child maintain a lovely smile for a lifetime.
