Regular dental exams and checkups are important for everyone because they can maintain the health of your teeth and gums in good condition. Dental visits must be scheduled every six months or as recommended by the dental professional. Children, however, must not be kept away from dental visits must be encouraged to expect and enjoy them.
The pediatric dentist near you will explain some differences certainly exist between dental exams and checkups for children. The differences are related to the behavior of the child during the exams and whether he or she cooperates with the dentist or not. The dentist may invite you to the exam room to comfort the child if it is the child’s first or second visit to the dentist. You may even be requested to sit on the dentist’s chair with the child in your lap if needed. If however your child is accustomed to the pediatric dentist’s office, the exams and checkups can proceed without difficulties as the child would know what to expect.
The first part of a dental visit will be an examination of the child’s mouth. The dentist may take x-rays but will definitely look for cavities and any buildup of plaque and tartar on the teeth. Plaque is a sticky layer of bacteria that is clear and when left to accumulate on the teeth can harden into tartar. Removing tartar will be impossible for the child as it is for adults merely by brushing and flossing. It requires assistance from a professional pediatric dentist.
When plaque and tartar are not removed from the child’s mouth it can lead to oral diseases and cause problems that will be difficult to manage later on. The gums of the child will also be checked to identify any problems of gum diseases. The depth of the gums between the teeth and the gums will be measured by using special instruments. Children with problems with the gums will display deep pockets.
Pediatric dentists believe the earlier children are exposed to regular checkups and exams the better it will be to keep their mouths healthier throughout their lives. Prevention of cavities and tooth decay which can be painful and make the child lose concentration and also expose them to other medical conditions becomes easier with regular checkups at the early stages. Young children with healthy teeth can chew food easily, learn to speak clearly and smile confidently.
As a parent, you cannot be under the impression that the oral health of the child needs no attention from the dentist because the baby teeth are going to fall off anyway. Many children have developed cavities just because they manage to fall asleep with a bottle of milk or juice or persisted on nighttime breastfeeding even after their first tooth erupted.
Dental exams and cleaning in Milford, CT, stresses the need to encourage children to have beverages such as milk, juice, and water from a cup by the time they approach their first birthday. They also recommend teaching children how to brush and supervising them until they are past the age of five.
Caring for the child’s teeth is important because the most chronic condition in the United States among children is tooth decay with more than 40 percent of all children affected by this problem before reaching kindergarten. Therefore pediatric dentist Milford, CT, suggests that children be taught to brush and floss under the supervision and prevented from having sugary foods that are the prime suspects of tooth decay and cavities. Caring for the child’s teeth from the early stages ensures good overall health for the child along with oral health and provides them access to a beautiful smile which they will be proud of.
Big Smiles Pediatric Dentistry recommends that the first visit of the child to the dentist should be by age 1 when some teeth would have erupted. Thereafter regular visits as recommended by the pediatric dentist or every six months must be an ongoing affair throughout their lives. This clinic provides gentle and expert care to all children through the age of 18 along with comprehensive services for children with special needs or with medical problems.
Regular dental checkups and exams are essential for children just as they are for adults to maintain the oral and overall health in top condition along with having a beautiful smile.