One of the best ways to ensure that children maximize oral health throughout their lifetime is by starting them out early with good habits and positive dental experiences. From the time they are babies, teeth and gums play an important role in the overall health of an individual and caring for those teeth is as important for a child as it is for an adult.
Pediatric Dentistry For A Lifetime Oral Health
Children should start seeing a dentist when they are still very young. In fact, most dental professionals recommend that a child visit a dentist around six months after the first tooth erupts or by the child’s first birthday. Taking your child to a pediatric dentist can make the experience more comfortable and inviting, since dentists who specialize in treating children will have not only the professional expertise, but the personality and environment to make children feel at ease.
While not much will happen during your child’s early dental visits, these pediatric dentistry appointments are still vital since they provide the dentist with the opportunity to make sure that teeth and gums start out healthy, while also making it easier to identify any potential issues that may arise as the child ages. Most importantly, they offer the chance to acquaint the child with the dentist, his or her staff and the office.
By taking children to a pediatric dentist early in life, it sets the stage for a lifetime of better oral health. This is primarily because children who start out going to the dentist at a young age (and who see a dentist who is experienced in dealing with children and can make them feel comfortable) turn into adults who are more comfortable visiting the dentist and who place more importance on maintaining a regular routine of preventative care.
If children are exposed early to pediatric dentists who make them feel at ease, they do not develop a fear of the dentist, like many current adults may have from their own childhood. This means that they have no reason to avoid going to the dentist later in life when they may experience a problem. It also means that they often better understand the importance of regularly visiting the dentist for preventative reasons so that no major problems occur.
Many dental offices are equipped to handle pediatric patients and have made their offices inviting to younger visitors. Family and pediatric dentists know how to adapt any procedures that need to be performed for younger patients so that they feel more comfortable. Additionally, these dental professionals will be able to provide you and your child with information about proper oral hygiene, effective tooth safety (such as wearing protective mouthguards when playing sports and not biting on non-food objects) and recommendations for services that may be needed down the road, such as orthodontia.
Starting your child off early with a pediatric dentist or a family dental practice that welcomes kids and makes them feel comfortable can go a long way in providing your child with the foundation for a lifetime of better oral health.
For more information about the pediatric dental services offered by Park Dental Care in Queens, call 718-274-1515.
