Why Is Children’s Dental Care So Important?

Celebrating National Children’s Dental Health Month

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, and to celebrate, we’d like to discuss the importance of children’s dental health and why it is essential to be proactive about your child’s oral health. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children begin to see their dentist by age one, or within six months of their first tooth appearing. Taking your child to the dentist early is a great way to prevent unpleasant dental issues down the line. Many people make the mistake of thinking that baby teeth do not matter because they will eventually fall out, but this is not the case. In fact, the risk of tooth decay and discoloration begins with a child’s first baby tooth. Listed below are some of the reasons why it is important to be proactive about your child’s dental care:

• Children with healthy teeth are able to chew food more easily, which can help them stay healthy.

If your child’s teeth become decayed, it will be more difficult for them to chew their foods and get the proper nutrition they need. This is especially troublesome during the early years of their life when you want them to be open to trying new foods and establishing healthy eating habits. There is a strong link between tooth decay and malnutrition, and taking care of your child’s dental health from an early age will help combat this issue.

• Taking care of your child’s teeth will help elevate their confidence levels.

When a child’s teeth are healthy, they are able to speak more clearly and smile with confidence. This will help them establish greater self-confidence from a young age, and this is a feeling they will be able to carry with them throughout their lives. Your smile activates muscles in the face that signal for the brain to release the “feel-good” hormones called endorphins. When your child feels great about their smile, they are likely to smile more, which will help get those good feelings flowing!

• Taking your child to the dentist early will help them avoid dental anxiety throughout their lives.

Dental fear is estimated to affect about 36% of the population, with 12% suffering from extreme dental fear. This is an issue that prevents people from getting the necessary dental care they need, and it creates the conditions for more extensive procedures to be needed down the line. When you take your child to the dentist early, it will help them create positive associations with the dentist that can last them throughout their lives. These efforts will go further than helping their smiles stay beautiful. Good oral hygiene is also associated with greater health overall.

• Early dental visits will help your child establish good oral hygiene habits from a young age.

As a parent, you are in charge of teaching your child many lessons, but you should not have to handle them all. At your child’s early dental visits, we can walk them through the best ways to take care of their smile. We can also brush up the skills of any parent who needs help. Whether you have questions about the best ways to take care of your child’s teeth or you would like to motivate them to care about their smiles, the experts are here to support you both throughout this journey.

How Does a Pediatric Dentistry Specialist Help?

Pediatric dentistry specialists, like the ones on the team at Adventure Dental and Orthodontics, are professionals who specialize in caring for children’s teeth. At every stage of life, a human’s healthcare needs are unique, and this applies to children’s dental care. Our team is compassionate and we understand that visiting the dentist can feel intimidating for a child. That’s why we want to make their visits as fun, welcoming, and successful as possible. The members of our team are experts in behavior management. If you are not sure how to start caring for your child’s teeth, a pediatric dentist is the perfect place to begin.

At Adventure Dental and Orthodontics, we believe that National Children’s Dental Health Month should be every month. To learn more about our services, call us today at (661) 251-0200 or contact us online.