Children require the same standard of regular dental care that adults do in order to keep their teeth healthy, strong and looking good. From the time a child’s teeth erupt, it is beneficial that the child see a dentist on a regular basis. Doing so can better ensure that the child’s overall oral health is maintained. Additionally, the process of initiating regular dental visits at an early age can set the stage for a lifetime of good oral health habits.
For parents that are wondering when to bring their child to a dentist, and whether they need to bring their child to a pediatric dentist that solely focuses on child patients, there are a number of considerations to keep in mind in relation to the benefits that come from dentists specializing in the treatment of younger patients.
Children should see a dentist shortly after their full set of teeth erupts in their mouth. Although this first set of teeth, or “baby teeth”, will eventually fall out and be replaced by a set of permanent teeth, neglecting a child’s oral health during this period can still result in potential problems. It is best to initiate a regular regimen of professional cleanings to ensure that the child’s teeth and gums stay healthy. Doing so will also provide the dentist with the opportunity to teach proper dental hygiene techniques and procedures from an early age.
Another benefit to starting your child off early at the dentist is that through routine screenings and cleanings, any potential problems can be recognized and dealt with before they become more serious concerns. For example, if a child tends to develop a large build up of tartar on their teeth, this can be addressed at a routine visit before it turns into a cavity or results in more extensive tooth decay. Screening x-rays can also provide insight into any possible issues that may prevent the permanent teeth from coming in as they should, due to spacing problems or other concerns.
Dental visits are also a good time to talk to children about the potential issues that can arise from eating too many sweets, not maintaining a proper regimen of brushing and flossing, or not taking the proper precautions to protect teeth from harm, such as by wearing mouthguards when engaged in certain sports of physical activities.
Although children do not have to go to a dentist that solely caters to children, it is worth taking the time to find a dentist that has experience in treating children. Pediatric dentists are better prepared to focus on the specific issues that can arise with children’s oral health. Equally as important is the fact that dentists that are committed to treating children, and that are used to treating younger patients, are typically more adept at handling the intricacies of children’s emotional and developmental states that can impact a child’s trip to the dentist.
By making children feel more comfortable at dental visits, and by bringing a child to a dental office that is experienced in treating children, it can put the child more at ease. A trip to the dentist can be frightening for people of any age, and this can especially be the case for a young child that does not know what to expect. By bringing them to a dentist that creates a kid-friendly environment within the office, it is more likely that the child will feel not fear the dentist and that they will have a more positive experience. This is important because good early experiences with the dentist are more likely to result in a lifetime of good dental habits. A good “first impression” of the dentist allows children to recognize the importance of proper oral health, and will make it less likely that children will turn into adults that neglect regular visits to the dentist.
For more information about the benefits of pediatric dentistry, or to speak with a pediatric dentist in Queens, contact Park Dental Care at 718-274-1515.
