Did you know that one in five children have cavities by the time they reach kindergarten? That’s why it’s important to take your child to the dentist early on – even before their first birthday.
The sooner your kids’ dental checkups, the healthier their oral health will be. Early checkups help to prevent many issues like tooth decay and cavities. Youngers with healthy teeth will learn to smile confidently and speak clearly.
Here, we will discuss a few of the reasons that justify why childhood dental visits are important. So, let’s get started.
Why are early childhood dental visits important?
1- Familiarity with professional dental care
Research shows that children who receive dental care as early as one year of age get accustomed to being at the dentist’s office. They learn how to sit on the dental chair and be free of fear when the dentist examines them. Also, it helps to develop healthier oral hygiene habits as they grow up. They learn to brush their teeth twice a day and floss once daily.
2- Proper diagnosis
During early visits, dental experts can easily identify any dental problems in the child’s mouth. So, if there are issues like tooth decays, fillings, or cavities that need to get treated as early as possible to prevent further issues. Early treatment can provide relief to your child and help prevent dental pain.
3- Early intervention can solve problems
A visit with the pediatric dentist before the age of two is equally important for children born with cleft lip or cleft palate. These children will not be able to speak clearly without early dental intervention. Early check ups will let your specialist identify any issues early on and act accordingly.
4- Keeping an oral health journal
The pediatric dentist can record your child’s dental history at the pediatric dental office. The information will help the dentist know about your child’s oral health status. Also, he will be able to advise you on any necessary treatments. Your child’s oral health can be tracked by noting the size of their teeth, missing and extracted teeth, or any other problems or issues that have been fixed.
5- Teaching Children to Value Good Oral Health
Did you know that when parents see the positive impact of caring for their child’s teeth, they also learn important lessons about taking care of their mouths? Parents can make a big difference by practicing good daily oral hygiene at home and making healthy lifestyle choices.
How can parents assist early childhood dental visits?
1- Create a positive attitude about the dentist visit
It is very important for children to feel comfortable with their dentist and the dental team. Explain to your kids that visiting the dentist is a great way of keeping them healthy and preventing many health problems. Also, suggest that they build up a positive attitude toward going to the dentist’s office. Tell your child that they will have a lot of fun while meeting new friends at the dentist’s office. You can even bring your child’s favorite toy or a book for entertainment.
2- Establish good oral health habits
To create healthy dental habits in children, parents also need to set a good example by practicing good daily oral hygiene at home. Encourage your kids to brush their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss once a day. This way, you can keep their teeth sparkling clean and healthy for life.
3- Get a dental checkup for your child
Get in touch with the pediatric dentist, who can provide you with information about your child’s oral health. Also, educate yourself about the different problems that are seen in children. This will help them take good care of their dental health as they grow up and encourage other family members to become more responsible about their dental hygiene.
4- Get yearly checkups
Kids should visit their pediatric dentist once a year to get dental screenings. It includes getting a look at the teeth and mouth throughout the year. Parents should also compare their child’s oral health to how it was as a baby, and this will help them make an early diagnosis of any issues that are going on.
Children who avoid visiting their dentist may experience tooth decay, gum disease, and other problems related to their oral health.
The Bottom Line
We hope you have now an idea about why early childhood visits are important. As a parent, you need to give your child the best possible care. So, it is important to take your child to the dentist’s office before their first birthday.
We also advise that parents should create a positive attitude about dental visits and teach their kids how to brush their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss once a day. Moreover, if you are looking for the best pediatric dentist in Dubai, contact MyPedia clinic.
