Taking care of the little one’s dental health can be a frustrating task for adults. For one thing, brushing and flossing are nobody’s idea of a good time, so it may be difficult to get your child to do these activities at least two times a day.
But oral health isn’t just maintained at home. Taking your child to frequent dentist appointments is essential for their preventive care, and can help you stay on top of the child’s needs long term.
Here are some of the major benefits of preventative dentistry for children:
Even adults struggle to get food particles and bacteria from the mouth. There are many nooks and crannies which are hard to reach with a toothbrush, and over time these places actually increase the risk of cavities and tooth decay.
With professional dental cleaning, the dentist is able to thoroughly clean the mouth and make sure this debris doesn’t cause any harm to your child’s dental health, effectively reducing the risk of cavities and even gum disease.
Routine dentist visits allow your dentist to get to know your child’s specific needs, which means their treatment plans become much more accurate. This is an amazing perk of preventative dentistry because when the dentist understands your child’s medical and oral health history, they will be able to give you better advice on how to care for your child’s teeth and overall dental health.
Because the dentist knows the child’s history, they are also able to tell when something might need their attention at the very first stages. From potential cavities to gum inflammation, and even signs that their teeth are misaligned and require orthodontic services, the dentist will be able to act fast and address these concerns before they cause a lot of discomfort or even pain to your child.
Dental anxiety runs high even among adults because a lot of people associate going to the dentist with pain. But, by taking your child to routine appointments, where the chances of pain are very slim, you can show them there is nothing to fear while at the dentist’s office. This will serve them well even when they grow up and make them more likely to seek treatment should they need it, rather than avoid it because of fear and anxiety.
If you’re looking for compassionate dentists who can address all your child’s oral health needs, Dr. Lee is at your service!
Schedule your first appointment at Smile Ark Pediatric Dentistry online, or call us directly at (617) 372-2532 to find out more about our services and how we can help.