Maintaining good oral health for children is extremely important to their overall development. It actively promotes their verbal communication skills and their ability to eat solid food.
Today, we will look at all the vital aspects of children dental health. You’ll get to know its importance and how to maintain proper dental hygiene for your child.
Plus, we will also be discussing the significance of setting up regular appointments with your local pediatric dentist.
The Importance of Oral Health Care for your Child
Children’s oral health is closely linked to their physical wellbeing. Dental hygiene affects a child’s ability to properly smile, talk and interact. It’s no secret that oral complications from an early age will hinder their overall progress.
It’s not just about physical conditioning; poor dental hygiene can also impair cognitive development in children. Chronic toothaches and gum diseases will result in missed classes and reduced focus on learning.
Additionally, pediatric dental health care is vital in identifying other health conditions, such as bruxism, acid reflux and vitamin deficiencies.
Good Oral Health for Children: Tips and Tricks
As a parent, you need to instil good dental habits within your child from an early age. Baby teeth appear at the age of 3. So, you’ll need to teach children to brush twice a day with toothpaste and floss from said age.
As they grow, a child’s dental hygiene needs to develop as well. For instance, if children are into sports, make sure that they wear mouth guards to prevent injuries. Also, children with braces need to use power brushes. This helps prevent white spots on teeth after braces are removed.
But, the most crucial tip is to visit your pediatric dentist regularly.
Make Regular Pediatric Dentist Appointments
Pediatric dental healthcare is very, very important.
The AAPD (American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry) strongly advises children to see a pediatric dentist from the age of 1. That way, the dentist can then get a head start and identify any complications early.
Not to mention, young children will get accustomed to visiting the dentist. They’ll feel more comfortable and cooperative with oral health issues.
It’s highly recommended that you schedule appointments with the pediatric dentist at least twice a year, starting from your child’s first birthday.
Recapping Children’s Dental Hygiene
We can’t stress enough on how important children’s oral health is. Dental hygiene from infancy can go a long way in preventing various health conditions like acid reflux, vitamin deficiencies and bruxism along with standard tooth decay.
Furthermore, good oral hygiene promotes physical and cognitive development in children. Teach them to brush, floss and take care of their teeth from a young age. If you’re a soccer mom, please teach your child to wear mouth guards.
Last but not least, make a habit of taking your child to the pediatric dentist every 6 months from the age of 1.
Prevention of oral complications at a young age is better than cure.
