Why Are Childhood Dental Visits So Important?
Implementing dental hygiene standards from an early age is very important for parents with young children. Many pediatric dentists and health professionals alike believe that starting oral and dental care from the time that the first few teeth break through will help build for a healthier dental future for a child. The healthy and proactive practices implemented early on are thought to set up a healthier dental trajectory.
The Proof is in the Numbers
Early visits help prevent a plethora of issues including tooth decay and cavities. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that nearly 40% of children experience tooth decay before they reach kindergarten age. Another 20% of children from the ages of 5-11 experience at least one case of untreated tooth decay. If dental care is neglected from an early age, a child may easily fall victim to otherwise preventable dental issues.
What to Expect from Early Pediatric Dental Visits
Many early childhood dental visits include education on best practices for at-home dental care, dietary suggestions, and the application of fluoride and sealants to teeth when necessary. It is important for children to brush their teeth 1-2 times a day, to learn the importance of flossing early on and using a fluoride mouthwash after brushing and flossing is complete. Dentists will also cover some basic dietary practices that can prevent tooth decay and damage in the immediate future and further on down the line. For example, by the time a child starts having teeth break through the gums, a mother should lessen the times that a child is nursed to sleep. Leaving breastmilk or formula on the teeth prior to a full night’s rest (hopefully!) can cause tooth decay. As a child begins to consume table foods and other liquids such as juices, it is important to know what is most harmful to teeth and limit the amount of sugars and cavity-causing food intake a child experiences. Though some of the aforementioned information may seem like common sense, it is always a healthy reminder for parents – and is also beneficial for children to hear and absorb.
The Added Benefits of Early Dental Care
Aside from the health-related benefits of early dental care, visits from a young age also create a level of comfortability for a child. Many children – and adults alike – experience dental anxiety and can find themselves overcome with panic attacks and extreme anxiety when it is time to visit the dentist. A main goal of early childhood dental care is to create a sense of comfort within the pediatric dental office – to make your child feel at ease with their dentist, to feel safe with the lights and tools found within an office, and to make them excited to receive good reports instead of fearing the worst. This is a key factor in ensuring lifelong dental proactivity!
Are you ready to start your child’s dental journey? If you are in the Brooklyn, NY area and looking for the best kids’ dentist around, Dr. Yury Slepak, Board Certified Pediatric Dentist @PediatricDentistryNYC would love to help guide you and keep your child’s smile healthy! Doctor Slepak’s Pediatric Dental Center located at 2464 Coney Island Ave., 2nd Floor in Brooklyn NY. Call 718-998-2424 to schedule your child’s appointment today!