When was your child’s last dental checkup?
It’s no secret that your child’s health always comes first and that regular health checkups are a must. Your child may often spend time playing outside. A regular health checkup will allow you to detect any illnesses your child may suffer from.
However, many parents overlook the importance of oral health. Regular dental checkups in early childhood can teach your child about oral hygiene. If you’re a parent, dental checkups are often as important as regular checkups.
Are you worried about your child’s oral health? In this article, we discuss the importance of getting regular dental checkups. Read on to discover seven great reasons to prioritize dental health.
1. Baby Teeth are Important
It may be easy to forget the importance of baby teeth when they’re the first set to fall out. However, the health of your child’s baby teeth may determine the future of your child’s oral health. The AAPD says that healthy baby teeth are essential to normal speech development.
It will also help their mouths create enough spacing for permanent teeth. Healthy baby teeth teach your child the proper way of chewing at an early age. This helps to maintain good nutrition and promote overall health.
Dental checkups in early childhood help them get comfortable with future checkups. You can give your child anxiety-free dental checkups with us! Start building a regular checkup schedule to keep track of your child’s oral health.
2. Prone to Tooth Decay
Your child’s baby teeth are not immune to tooth decay. Like a permanent set of teeth, tooth decay can affect your child. One in five children between the ages 5 and 11 suffer from tooth decay.
One of the main reasons for poor oral health is the quality of home oral care. Dentists recommend taking your child for dental checkups at least twice a year. This helps you ensure that your child’s teeth a growing well.
Your dentist will also help you and your child learn the best hygiene practices. It also prevents the formation of cavities or stops them from getting worse.
3. Baby Teeth Need Professional Cleaning
While temporary, your child’s baby teeth need professional cleaning like yours. Dentists recommend that your child get a professional cleaning at least once every six months.
Baby teeth have hard to reach places that are prone to building plaque along the gumline. Allowing your child to get regular cleaning helps them get rid of stubborn plaque and tartar. Sometimes, even the best home routine may need professional assistance.
A consistent dental provider allows you to keep track of changes in your child’s mouth. Regular cleaning can also grant you detailed dental records and X-rays. If you have a developing child, regular cleaning is a must.
4. Check for Systemic Health Issues
Your child’s oral health could help your dentist detect any systemic health issues. Not many know that a dental checkup includes a head and neck exam. Your dentist will check your lymph nodes, jaws, and neck for swelling.
The mouth is the main entry point for many bacteria in your environment. Other oral health problems related to systemic health issues include gum disease and dry mouth. Periodontal disease is often a sign of a person’s diabetes.
Many people with diabetes also suffer from dry mouth. Periodontal disease could also link to stroke and cardiovascular disease.
Lumps and other deformities could be a symptom of an illness. You can also get a thyroid checkup for a lower price with a dentist. If your dentist finds any issues, they will refer you to the right medical professional.
5. Educate Your Child on Proper Hygiene
Many adults still don’t know the proper way to take care of their oral hygiene. Many people brush their teeth only once a day and forget to floss. While it may not sound like an immediate concern, it can lead to more issues.
Children often take after their parents. If you don’t have healthy oral hygiene, your child may follow and their oral health will suffer. Dental checkups can help educate your child on the proper way to take care of their teeth.
Teaching your child small habits like brushing after every meal can help fight bacteria. Regular flossing can also promote healthier teeth.
6. Treat Bad Breath
Chronic bad breath could be a sign of systemic disease. If it’s not morning breath or too many onions, it could be halitosis. This condition occurs when you have poor oral hygiene habits.
Halitosis is not a condition that you can treat alone or wait to go away on its own. If your child experiences chronic bad breath, your dentist can help you identify the issue. They will pinpoint the exact reason for your child’s condition.
Then, your dentist can suggest proper treatment. If your child has an unknown medical condition, your dentist can help you catch it early.
7. Let Your Child Smile With Confidence
A good smile is one of the more superficial benefits of regular dental checkups. However, confident smiles can lead to deeper advantages. One of the first things a stranger notices when meeting someone is their smile.
A smile with crooked or unhealthy teeth could mean a dip in your child’s self-esteem. Studies show that irregularities in jaws and teeth are one of the most common causes of teasing. If your child doesn’t feel confident in their smile, it could ruin simple interactions.
Your child may have difficulty forming relationships. It may be simple, but many children bring their insecurities with them as they grow. Regular dental checkups can ensure healthy teeth and confident smiles.
Your Kids Need Their Dental Checkups
Oral health and overall health should have equal importance. Here are 7 important reasons why your child needs regular dental checkups. From baby teeth to overall health, these reasons will convince you to schedule a dentist appointment soon.
Thank you for reading our article! Are you looking for a pediatric dentist or for more child oral health tips? Contact us today!
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