Dental health is important for every child, but it often gets overlooked. Tooth decay is still the most common childhood disease and if left untreated, it can Tooth Decay Pictures lead to physical and psychological disabilities in children. Tooth decay is increased by the consumption of simple sugars as well as improper oral care.
If you are one of those parents that think pediatric oral care is not important because they lose those teeth anyway, think again. It is very important and this is why. If decay is Medications That Cause Bleeding Gums allowed to go on in the baby teeth, it can damage the permanent adult teeth developing near the roots of the baby teeth. That kind of damage may be permanent and irreversible.
Strong, healthy teeth and gums are important in children so there is no pain when they eat. If their mouths hurt when they try to eat, it can drastically affect their nutrition and cause weight loss. Healthy incisors are necessary for proper speech development. If a decaying tooth is not treated, an abscess of the tooth may occur. For these reasons, and so many more, it is important to stay on top of the dental care.
Proper oral care should begin as early as the first tooth erupts around 4 months. There are special oral cleansers for infants that can help you with the care. Children should first see a dentist around their first birthday to assess dental development and any possible risks. For preventative measures you should never let a child go to bed with a bottle that has anything other than water because studies show it causes decay. Also, you can limit your child’s intake of sweets. Parents are an important role model so brushing your teeth with your children is a great idea and sets an excellent example.
For a child’s first visit to the dentist, a parent can expect a very gentle, yet thorough examination of the teeth, gums, jaw, and bite. With some dentists, there is a cleaning and x-rays as well. When you make that first appointment, go ahead and ask exactly what you can expect from the visit so you and your child can be prepared and armed with knowledge. Pediatric dental offices do have a child friendly environment with activities and age appropriate books. They go out of their way to make it a fun environment for your child and soon, he or she will be excited to go to the dentist.
If you are looking for a pediatric dentist for the first time and you just do not know where to start, here are some things you can try; ask friends or family if they have someone to recommend or ask your dentist of they can recommend one for your child. Once you have some names, you do some research. Check out their level of experience and education. Make your appointment in person so you can check things out. Is the staff friendly? Is the waiting area clean? Are there a lot of people in the waiting room so as your wait time might be lengthy? There are many things to consider when choosing the right dentist for your child but it is worth the time and effort.
