There’s nothing more heart-melting than the half-toothed smile of a child. Protecting your child’s smile is important, which is why experts recommend regular visits to the dentist. Not only does taking your child to the dentist help promote good habits, but it also ensures your child’s smile stays happy and healthy for years.
Here are four reasons to schedule regular dental visits for your child.
1. Teaches Your Child Lifelong Dental Habits
We all know how important dental hygiene is. Having your child visit the dentist around their second birthday ensures they learn the basics early. The earlier they learn why it’s important to care for their teeth and how to do so, the easier it will be for them to keep this habit.
Your child’s dentist will teach your child the following:
- How to floss properly
- How to brush
- How to prevent cavities
Not only will your child’s dental team teach them, but they will educate you as well. Some common childhood issues a dental professional may help with include:
- Teething
- Thumb sucking
- Nutrition, such as how your child’s food may impact their oral health
- Teeth grinding
As a parent, you may be worried about how your child’s habits may affect their teeth in the future. Your family dental practice will answer any questions you may have.
2. Keeps Your Child’s Mouth Happy and Healthy
Forming good dental habits is the best way for your child to keep their mouth happy and healthy. As mentioned above, teething, thumb sucking, and teeth grinding may impact your child’s teeth as they grow.
When you take your child to their regular six-month checkup, their dentist will look for cavities and other signs of tooth decay. They will also perform a thorough exam, looking for bacteria and signs of gum disease, and will perform a cleaning.
In addition to these basics, they will check for issues with your child’s bite or speech, as well as physical problems caused by teeth grinding or thumb sucking. They will also take regular X-rays of your child’s mouth to look for any abnormalities that may cause future problems, such as impacted wisdom teeth or the need for braces.
3. Provides Individualized Care
Every mouth is unique. Your child’s smile needs a different treatment plan than another child’s. Therefore, finding a dental practice that provides individualized family dental care is essential to ensure your child’s smile gets the treatment it needs.
Another benefit of taking your child to a practice focused on personalized care is that their team will know your child’s dental history. Your child’s dentist should know them by name, not just as a patient number.
By knowing your child’s dental history and name, they’re able to create a long-term plan and identify when a new problem is developing. This quick identification allows them to fix the problem before it becomes worse and impacts your child’s future oral health.
4. Eases Dental Anxiety
Another benefit of individualized dental care and starting your child at the dentist early is that it can help ease dental anxiety. According to a study by the Cleveland Clinic, more than ⅓ of Americans have some form of dental anxiety. In some instances, a person’s dental phobia may be so bad they avoid going to the dentist completely.
Getting your child acquainted with dental offices early can help reduce their anxiety. The feeling of having a stranger’s hand in your mouth while a bright light shines in your eye intimidates a lot of people. However, with time and a child-friendly atmosphere, your child will become less scared.
Family Dentist In Boynton Beach
Regular dental visits for your child are essential to promote good oral hygiene. As an adult, you should visit the dentist every six months. Since children should also visit the dentist every six months, take the hassle out of remembering various dental appointments by attending a dental group specializing in the whole family.
At Eriks Dental Group, our passion is ensuring all our customers feel comfortable by providing a warm atmosphere for all ages. Visit our website today to schedule an appointment with our family-friendly dental team, or call us at 561-733-4004.