The formative years are important in a child’s life on several different levels. Youngsters are curious, eager to learn and eager to please. Taking advantage of this where your child’s dental care is concerned is a good way to create a firm foundation for oral health. Visits to the dentist when your child is young can have a major impact on how he or she views future encounters in the dental office.
Start Them While They Are Young
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child’s first visit to the dentist ideally happens when the first tooth erupts or at least by the first birthday. You may be thinking that a one-year-old with just a few teeth may be starting a bit to early. After all, unless there is a child-size chair, your baby will be dwarfed just sitting in the dental chair!
Dental visits at such an early age may seem odd, but there is a method to the madness. When you start your child out with positive experiences at an early age, the chances of developing dental phobias decrease and can be completely eliminated.
In addition to developing a positive rapport with the dental office and dental team, you and your child’s dentist have a better opportunity to keep your child’s oral health at its best. You will learn how to keep your child’s teeth clean until he or she can manage to adequately brush and floss alone. If there are any developing dental problems, they can be addressed before they have a chance to develop into painful situations that can be traumatic all the way around.
Preventive Care
As the saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Starting your child early with dental care gives prevention a foothold. Good oral hygiene habits are reinforced. Dental sealants can be placed on your child’s teeth as they erupt, reducing the likelihood of dental decay.
At Mint Dental, we want all our patients to enjoy oral health from childhood. We can help make that happen when you make your child’s dental care a priority. Schedule checkups and let us know if you have questions about your child’s oral health.
