Why Dental Care in Childhood Is So Important

Many parents can attest to the fact that when it comes to getting their child to visit a dentist, it is often met with a lot of bargaining and sometimes a bit of a tantrum!

A lot of children are fearful of visiting a dentist, but good oral care is incredibly important in childhood. It may seem easier to simply shirk off getting your child to see a dental professional, but this can have very bad consequences.

So, why is dental care and visiting with oral healthcare professionals so important for children? Read on to find out!

Early Intervention

the most obvious reason why you and your child should be visiting your dentist every six months is because of early intervention. Any pediatric dentist Asheville will state that children have different oral health needs to adults and may require different treatment options such as fluoride sealants, scales, and polishes, as well as lessons on how to brush and floss correctly. Early intervention is vital to keep children’s teeth looking good and in the right positions to act as the markers for the adult teeth when they come through.

Lower Fluoride

Many children have gleaming white smiles naturally, so it is easier to assume that their oral health is in top-notch condition simply by looking at their grins! However, any dental team who specializes in pediatric dentistry will state that children actually have lower fluoride in their teeth, which can leave them susceptible to dental decay. This is why it is so important to minimize the amount of sugar that your children have in their diet. Your dentist can caveat for the naturally lower levels of fluoride by providing fluoride sealants.

Braces

Across the Western world, many children will need to visit an orthodontist by the age of 7. This is more likely if they have had baby teeth removed early due to decay or other issues. Braces at an earlier age are more affordable, less painful, and are also linked to better outcomes with facial and smile symmetry later in life. Childhood is also the perfect time for palatal expanders or compression devices because the roof of the mouth is not fused, meaning the mouth can be widened or made narrower if necessary.

Phobias

Children who have not visited dental teams early in life are more likely to have dental phobias as adults, which can lead to poor oral health and a heightened risk of other health concerns such as heart disease and diabetes. It’s a well-known fact that a lot of children don’t like going to the dentist, but if you choose a pediatric dentist who will make the experience fun, then your child is less likely to have a phobia and will not need to visit a dentist when they are in extreme discomfort after missing appointments. Thus, there is no negative association to hold on to.

Good Habits

In a similar vein, it has been found via research that people who were exposed to dental care earlier in life go on to have better oral hygiene habits as adults. So, you’re not just taking your child to the dentist; you’re also setting them up for a lifetime of good oral hygiene and a bright white smile. Try to remember that if they are having a tantrum in the dental surgery waiting room; it will all be worth it in the long run!