Is making a dental appointment for your child way at the bottom of your “to-do” list? You may think it can wait – after all, how much damage can young teeth have? And won’t those teeth be falling out soon, anyway?
No, You Shouldn’t Skip Those Dental Visits!
There are several reasons why you should start taking your child to the dentist even before they are a year old. Yes, dental care really should begin that early! Although baby teeth are destined to fall out, it is important to take care of them. They help to ensure that when permanent teeth come in that they will do so correctly, and baby teeth with lots of cavities can be quite painful and can lead to more serious problems.
Your dentist will:
- Check for any issues. Your child’s dentist will check to make sure the teeth that are there are healthy and that new teeth are coming in correctly. This is especially important if your child often uses a pacifier or sucks their thumb, as this can affect how teeth come in.
- Give you good advice. Children aren’t known for having the best oral care habits, and when you take them to the dentist at least twice a year, it gives the dental staff a chance to see what your child could improve upon. If they aren’t brushing and flossing as thoroughly as they should, your dentist can make you aware of this and can give you tips on how your child can improve.
- Set up your child for a lifetime of dental care. When you start taking them to the dentist at a very young age, they’ll know that keeping their teeth healthy and clean is important, and it will also get them used to and comfortable with the idea of going to the dentist. Also, any feedback you get from the dentist about how they are caring for their teeth can help your child to develop good dental habits for a lifetime.
Does your child need a dentist? Pound Ridge Cosmetic Dentistry in Pound Ridge, New York, offers dental care for the whole family. Call 914-468-4759 for an appointment today!
