Oral hygiene is an important part of life and is something that needs to be practiced every day in order to maintain and avoid dental issues. Just like learning to ride a bike or how to swim, children also need to be taught how to care for their teeth at an early age. Pediatric dentistry is necessary for kids of all ages, from infants to teenagers. Oral care is something that needs to be monitored regularly in order to catch and prevent problems early on. In fact, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), over 20 percent of children ages 2-5 have cavities in their primary teeth. Luckily, with proper care and early prevention practices, this can be stopped before it begins.
Regular checkups are the number one early prevention method. All children no matter the age, benefit from getting regular checkups early on. Many people may not know that infants need regular dental care just as often as children and adults. While infants don't have a full set of teeth, it is still important to practice preventative dental care in order to prevent tooth decay from developing in the future. There are many special toothbrushes and kinds of toothpaste that can be used with small children that will go a long way in preventing future oral health problems. A family dentist will teach both children and parents the best dental hygiene practices to use at home as well.
Proper Care Tips
When seeing a dentist, parents will be taught preventative measures and how to take care of their child's teeth as they start to come in. They will learn how cavities develop even in infants and why it's important to avoid certain practices that could lead to decay. One instance where an infant may be prone to tooth decay is by falling asleep with a juice or milk bottle in their mouth. The acids from the milk or juice will stay on their gums and teeth line causing decay in the future.
Starting preventative measures early will ensure that your child is developing good habits in terms of their oral health. Taking a child to the dentist regularly will teach them the value of good oral health and they will learn how to care for their teeth from an early age. Children will learn a routine and will stick to it throughout their adult lives.
When oral hygiene is introduced early on, future issues can be prevented. If a child already shows signs of tooth decay, it can be fixed and won't continue to get worse. If a dental issue goes undetected it can be costly in the future not only in terms of money, but in the overall health of the child's mouth. A dentist can detect any issues and work to fix and prevent them.
Oral health is an important part of life, which is why pediatric dentistry is so important. Good oral health will allow children to grow up healthy with strong teeth and will reduce a number of costly procedures and care needed in the future. With regular dental check-ups, proper care, and oral health knowledge, cavities and dental issues can be prevented.
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