As you raise your kids, you’ll need to take care of their smiles as well. That’s only natural – healthy teeth and gums don’t just “happen,” and children can’t handle the responsibility on their own. Still, what exactly should you know to protect your little ones’ grins? Your Bedford family dentist is here to answer that question, so please don’t worry. Keep reading to learn four children’s dental health facts for your kids’ sake.
The First Dental Visit Should Happen Early
Once your child is born, you shouldn’t wait long to take them to a dentist. Their first dental visit should happen no later than their first birthday.
Remember, kids start getting baby teeth between 6 and 12 months of age. Their smile’s health becomes a point of concern even before they’re a year old. To ensure your child doesn’t have oral issues from the get-go, you should take them to the dentist when their first tooth appears. Your little one’s oral health will then stay on the right track.
Tooth Decay is Very Common Among Kids
While cavities may seem like an “adult” problem, they aren’t. Tooth decay is one of the most common oral issues for kids in the U.S.
Plenty of hard evidence and data backs this conclusion. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in five U.S. children aged 5 to 11 has a decaying tooth. That number only decreases to one in seven for kids aged 12 to 19, representing a marginal improvement. When you look into comparisons, you’ll also see that cavities are five times more common than childhood asthma.
You Should Always Care for Baby Teeth
Baby teeth can seem unimportant in the long run, seeing as they’re temporary. However, the truth is that a parent should always look after them.
You see, baby teeth are crucial for various reasons. They maintain a child’s nutritional health by chewing food, and they play a major role in a baby’s speech development. These teeth also save space for the permanent ones that come later, so keeping them safe improves long-term oral health. Given such points, make sure your child’s young smile always gets brushed and flossed.
Poor Oral Health Hurts Academics
Dental issues don’t just harm your child’s smile. Left unchecked, they’ll also hurt your younger’s academic success.
The core issue comes down to school attendance. When a child has severe oral problems, they’ll frequently miss their classes due to pain and dental visits. In fact, New York’s State Department of Health finds that 51 million school hours are lost yearly due to dental issues.
These are only a few children’s dental health facts a parent should know. To learn about the others, consult your family dentist!
About the Practice
Meadow Park Family Dentistry is based in Bedford, TX. Led by Dr. Durga Buchupally, our practice provides comprehensive dental care for patients of all ages. Whether you’re a child, a young adult, or even a senior, our team will do its utmost to help your smile thrive. We can even provide specialized treatments as needed, including dental implants and Invisalign. For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (817)-464-8655.