Dental work is as important for children as it is for adults, from children orthodontics to the necessity of regular check ups. In fact, it is recommended that children have regular visits with a family dentist from as early as one years old. In fact, proper dental care should begin as soon as the baby teeth are visible, which for some babies can be as early as three months. Most parents choose to use a wet washcloth or a small toothbrush wet with water to care for their baby’s teeth. Even with regular and thorough at home care, regular dental visits are still recommended. This is not only to correct any problems that may occur, but it beneficial in teaching children good dental hygiene habits that will follow them for the rest of their lives. After all, oral hygiene is critical to the continued good condition of your teeth and your gums, and children orthodontics and a kids dentist will help to provide that care from the very beginning. A pediatric dental exam can also work to identify and correct any existing problems, as well as educate parents on how to care for their child’s teeth before the child can do it for him or herself. For instance, you should not use toothpaste that contains fluoride on your child’s teeth until they are two years old or older.
Unfortunately, around one in every five children, or 20%, go without regular dental care and without a pediatric dental exam in the United States. Of all the children in the United States, nearly half have had at least one cavity by the time they are of the age to attend kindergarten, and children that have regular problems with oral hygiene are up to three times more likely to miss school due to dental pain. In fact, more than 50 million total hours of schooling are lost due to this every single year around the country.
Children orthodontics are often necessary as well, often required in the event of an energy. Children orthodontics can help to repair many sports related injuries, often caused when a child chips or breaks a tooth. These sports related injuries and the need for children orthodontics accounts for nearly 30% of all dental injuries.
Though children under the age of six have most likely not lost any baby teeth and grown their adult set, it is still important that they be provided proper dental care. Though baby teeth are eventually lost, they can have a considerable impact on the health of the permanent teeth that take their place, acting as placeholders until the permanent teeth come in. Because of this, it is important to provide thorough dental care from a young age, not only to instill good habits, but to set children on track to have healthy teeth for the rest of their lives.
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