Have you yet to take your son or daughter to the dentist? While you might think that family dental care is only important after your children reach a certain age, the science shows that the earlier you take your children to the dentist, the better their oral hygiene and health will be as teenagers and adults.
Maintaining Children’s Dental Health Before They Go to the Dentist
Many pediatric dentists recommend you bring your children in for regular checkups by the time they are a year old. However, as the National Institutes of Health write, there are things you can do before your children reach that age to promote their oral hygiene. Specifically, you can use a dab of toothpaste on a soft-bristled toothbrush to keep their gums and fledgling teeth healthy. Further, you can avoid feeding them sugary foods that lead to decay.
Why You Need to Take Children to Pediatric Dentists Early
As soon as you feel comfortable with taking your child in for affordable dental care, usually right around a year of age, you should do so. Their pediatric dentists can make all the difference in the world to their future health.
- Normalize Visiting the Family Dentist
- Babies Can Get Cavities
- Teach Your Children Lifelong Habits for Social Success
According to About.com, 80% of Americans fear the dentist. If this fear becomes bad enough, it is called odontophobia. By starting your children with their pediatric dentists early, you can show them that there is nothing to be afraid of.
Did you know that young children can get cavities just as easily as adults? Indeed, according to the Center for Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Washington, 40% of American children show advanced tooth decay by the time they’re in kindergarten. With regular visits to their pediatric dentists, you can help your children beat the odds.
The biggest reason to start your children with the dentist early is to teach them the healthy habits they’ll carry with them throughout their lives. Consider, according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, 96% of Americans say a smile is crucial to finding someone attractive. By learning important hygiene skills as children, your kids can grow up to be socially successful young men and women with beautiful smiles.
By bringing your children to the dentist early, you can teach them important dental habits, protect them from developing odontophobia, and keep their smiles healthy and clean. Knowing that, why wouldn’t you start them early? More like this blog.