5 Facts About Children’s Dental Health Parents Should Know About

Being a parent for the first time, you discover that there is so much to learn about a child and the experience of being a mother or a father. Everyone has something to tell you, be it on the phone, in person, or even online, yet when it comes to your child’s developing smile, there are some important things that you must know to ensure that your child’s teeth remain strong and healthy. Read on to learn 5 things about children’s dental health you didn’t know.

Fact 1: Dental Care Among Children

It is recommended that your child have their first dental appointment before becoming one year old. This may sound a bit young, but it enables their pediatric dentist to build a rapport of trust with your child so that appointments are stress-free.

Frequent early childhood dental check-ups lay the foundation for good oral health later in the child’s development. The first specialist dental visit should be within six months of the first tooth’s emergence or before the child is one year old. The initial visits help the dentist assess the development of the oral cavity, teach the parents how to take care of the child’s teeth, and, if necessary, treat diseased tissues in the mouth.

Fact 2: Teething Can Be Uncomfortable

Teething is a natural process of the eruption of the first set of teeth, also referred to as the primary dentition through the same gum. Although teething is one of the great developmental milestones for a child, it’s sometimes associated with gum sensitiveness and anxiety. To help with your child’s discomfort and prevent sore gums, you should give your child safe teething toys, gum massages, and chilled teething rings.

Fact 3: Baby Teeth Are Essential

Baby teeth are very important to your child’s dental health. The early teeth are important to help a child chew food, articulate well, and ensure proper development of the jawbones and face. Also, baby teeth are important because they hold space for the permanent teeth in the mouth, ensuring they erupt into the right positions.

Fact 4: Enamel Decay Can Be Prevented

Dental caries or enamel decay is one of the most common diseases affecting children under five years of age. However, tooth decay can be avoided by working towards suitable oral hygiene and starting normal dental checkups. Teach your child to brush their teeth at least twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, avoid foods and drinks with high amounts of sugar, and eat a balanced diet to discourage cavities.

Fact 5: Mouth Disorders Affect Your General Health

Oral health is also an important aspect. Careful attention must be paid to ensure your child has a healthy mouth. Neglected dental hygiene and untreated conditions cause pain, infection, eating, and speaking difficulties, affecting school performance and social contact. This means that a careless attitude to your baby’s oral hygiene will deprive you and your little one of the many benefits healthy teeth can provide for your entire life.

As a parent, you must be informed about your child’s dental health to ensure that your kid grows up healthy with a great smile. For this reason, by observing the principle of early dental care, evaluating the role of the first teeth, considering how to help the child through teething, preventing tooth decay, and considering dental care as a part of a child’s health, you can guarantee your child healthy and strong teeth.

Final Thoughts

There is no handbook, and being a new parent is difficult, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Working with a pediatric dentist may teach you how to keep your child’s smile healthy and brilliant into adulthood. Pediatric dentists are specially trained to treat and help children.

Besides, habits like brushing should also be adjusted for children, and regular visits to a pediatric dentist at least once every six months, depending on the dentist’s advice. Once you contact us, you will be considered a family member. For more information about our dental practice, kindly visit us at Cypress Dental, and let your kids keep smiling while healthy. We support working cooperatively with parents, talking openly, and using technology while maintaining children’s safety, well-being, and comfort. We find nothing more fulfilling than seeing the happiness on your child’s face. Do not wait, contact us for an appointment now.