What Are the Benefits of Seeing a Pediatric Dentist Early?
By your child’s first birthday, or when their first tooth comes in, you should take them for a visit to a pediatric dentist. Cavities can form as soon as their first teeth come in, so to prevent oral health issues and enforce positive dental hygiene, introduce your child to the dentist early on.
Dental checkups are important for all ages, but there are a few specific benefits of taking your child to the pediatric dentist early on.
Monitor the Development of Your Child’s Mouth
Your pediatric dentist will be able to keep track of the development of your child’s teeth and jaw with regular visits from a young age. This will not only help with detecting issues early on but also with how and when they will introduce healthy dental habits.
When your child is young, pediatric dentists will focus on teaching the basics of caring for their teeth and gums. As your child grows older, they’ll be able to learn about the development of their adult teeth and how to make good dental hygiene a priority for life. Your pediatric dentist will be able to gauge what stage of learning your child is at with routine visits.
Prevent Oral Issues
Even though they are temporary, keeping your child’s baby teeth clean and healthy is very important. Problems with these teeth can lead to issues with speech development, and they also help guide the permanent teeth when they start coming in.
Preventing long-term dental issues is one of the main reasons children should be taken to the pediatric dentist early in life.
Your Child Will Be More Comfortable
The first trip to the pediatric dentist can be overwhelming for your child (and you), so the sooner you introduce them to the dental cleaning process, the more comfortable they’ll become. Pediatric dentists are also specially trained in child psychology and behavior management to treat your child with unique care that is specific to their needs.
Bringing your child to the kid-friendly environment at Pediatric Dentistry of Central Iowa will help ease their apprehension and reduce the likelihood of dental phobia as they grow older.
Stop Bad Habits Before They Start
There are a few bad habits that are notorious among children, like thumb sucking and teeth grinding. These habits can be challenging to break, and they can also harm your child’s teeth. A pediatric dentist can help teach your child the importance of breaking these habits and can help you with tips on helping them kick the habit too.
Schedule Your Child’s First Cleaning Today
Get in touch with Pediatric Dentistry of Central Iowa to set up an appointment for your little one sooner than later. At the first sign of tooth development, dental exams, and cleanings are crucial for prolonged healthy teeth and gums. Call today!