4 Reasons You Should Take Your Kid To The Dentist

Children's dental health is equally, if not more, important than that of adults. It is often even more crucial because minor issues ignored at an early age can develop into significant problems as children grow older. As a result, starting at the point when the child begins to sprout their first teeth, regular visits to a child dentist are required.

Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that more than half the children in the United States have a minimum of one cavity in their primary teeth. Every year, almost 51 million school hours are missed by children due to an oral ailment. More alarmingly, 3 out of 5 children suffer from tooth decay, although the condition is completely preventable.  

These numbers show that the dental health situation in children is serious and requires active consideration from parents. The most important thing to do is to consult a dentist regularly for expert advice and suggestions. When a child should go to the dentist for the first time can be debated, but most experts agree that it should be either when the kid turns one or when their first teeth emerge.

Before we dive into more detail about the reasons why you need to take your child to the dentist, let's answer a few common questions first:

Are adult and child dentists the same?

The answer is no. The oral structure of children is substantially different from that of adults. Under the age of 12, teeth are extremely sensitive and so are the gums. As a result, pediatric dentistry is a specialized field where doctors train regarding the specific issues children face with their oral health. You can easily search the keywords expert pediatric dentist near me to locate a qualified professional to take your kid to.

At what age should a person start visiting a dentist twice a year?

When you take your child to the dentist for the first time, they can suggest a future appointment time for you after a thorough evaluation. This is unless they spot a budding issue with the kid's teeth, in which case they can determine the necessary treatment. Most children shouldn't begin visiting the dentist twice a year until they are two years old. This can change depending on a person's needs, anatomy, lifestyle, and behaviors. A dentist can provide precise and pertinent advice in this area.

Reasons for children to visit a dentist

Oral hygiene is just as imperative as other physical and mental well-being. Your mouth serves a lot of functions and there is no harm in keeping these activities under constant observation to ensure their health. Here are all the reasons why a pediatric dentist can help your kid grow strong teeth that make their life easier:

They offer a phase-wise evaluation for your child

Children's dental evaluations evolve as they get older. Here is an ideal timeline if your kid's teeth and oral cavity are healthy.

• It is advised to take children to the pediatric dental professional twice a year, beginning at age two.
• The initial series of X-rays that enable orthodontists to identify any problems that might be concealed inside the mouth are taken when the child is in the age range of 4-6.
• The ideal recommended age for orthodontic treatment like braces begins when the kid turns 9.
• As time goes on, such assessments, tests, and treatments—if required—continue.

Therefore, it is advisable to start taking your child to the dentist as soon as possible to ensure the proper development of their teeth and gums.

Dentists can mitigate the chances of infection in children

No matter how well you train your children to brush their teeth at least twice a day, they are not going to be responsible for it. After all, they are young and worry-free; why would they be? On top of that, you just can't stop them from eating soft, chewy candies and sweets, which eventually get stuck between their teeth.

Since the only way to remove the remnants of these stubborn candies is through floss and you can't possibly expect the kid to do that without hurting themselves, it is best to visit a dentist for the purpose. Sugary substances lodged between teeth can cause severe infections that result in pain. Toothaches are intense, and you wouldn't want your kid going through them.

Prevent the possibility of cavities and tooth decay

Dentists are unanimous about the assertion that as soon as the first teeth grow in a kid's mouth, there emerges a chance that they can catch cavities. If left untreated, these issues can grow, eventually leading to the decay of the tooth itself. Losing a tooth to decay at such an early age can derail the healthy development of your kid's gums moving forward.

Visiting a dentist at the recommended time with your children is the best way to avoid this. Dentists can thoroughly inspect the oral cavity and locate the slightest sign of disease that may be arising. They can then suggest relevant treatments, medications, and prevention guidelines to mitigate the risk of future problems.

Help determine bite and speech issues

Signs of an underbite, overbite, or a variety of other problems leading to speech issues can arise at the early stages of life. In case you are wondering what these are, an underbite is when the bottom part of the jaw extends further than the upper part. An overbite is the opposite; the top part of the jaw or the row of teeth protrudes further than the lower ones. Both these issues are fixable but only when identified at the right time.

Problems of misalignment or crowding can impact a child in numerous ways. Most importantly, it can shatter their confidence in life. There are chances that other kids bully them for the abnormal appearance of their teeth. This coupled with a lack of self-appreciation, can make your child isolate himself and grow in their cocoon. The only way to let them have their confidence back is through effective treatment of the oral issues they might have through a qualified dentist.

Conclusion

It is crucial to take your child for dental visits from an early age. Some dentists recommend doing so when their first primary teeth emerge. These early visits have numerous advantages, eventually leading to the kid having a strong, healthy oral health as they age. So look up a pediatric dentist and get an appointment for your child now.