Children with healthy teeth have the confidence to eat, speak and smile. These benefits are long-lasting and can prevent serious dental problems in the future.
Regular checkups allow a dentist to examine the mouth for any abnormalities. These can be resolved quickly if caught early, saving your child money and stress.
Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is the destruction of a tooth’s outer coating (called enamel) and inner material (dentine). Sugary foods and drinks cause cavities by turning into acid that attacks and breaks down teeth. During a dental checkup, the dentist checks your child’s mouth for signs of tooth decay. Early tooth decay doesn’t usually cause any symptoms, but as the cavity progresses it can lead to a toothache and sensitive teeth. Sometimes it leads to infection, causing a painful build-up of pus (dental abscess).
Dental checkups allow a kids dentist to spot small problems and treat them before they develop into major issues. For example, a tooth with a cavity in its very early stages can be treated with a filling to restore the damaged tooth. More extensive damage may require a crown or root canal treatment.
It is mainly poor oral hygiene that causes tooth decay, but diet also plays a role. A child’s teeth are more likely to decay if they eat a lot of sugary or starchy foods that stick to their teeth (such as bread, milk, cake, cookies, candy, ice cream). The bacteria in saliva cling to these foods, turning them into acids that attack the enamel and break it down. If left untreated, the cavities will progress and can eventually erode the entire inside of the tooth, exposing the nerves and blood vessels.
Regular teeth cleanings and good nutrition are the best ways to prevent tooth decay. The dental team can help you find the right habits to protect your child’s oral health.
Having healthy teeth and gums sets the stage for good general health. In addition to regular brushing and flossing, make sure your child has plenty of fresh, clean drinking water. The tap water in most areas contains fluoride, which strengthens tooth enamel and helps prevent decay. Try to limit sugary foods and beverages, especially those that linger on the teeth, such as sticky candies, raisins, taffy, fruit roll-ups and hard candies. Your child’s back teeth (molars and premolars) are harder to clean than the front teeth, so they tend to get more decay than other types of teeth. You can reduce their risk of cavities by having them ‘pit and fissure sealants’ applied, which is a plastic coating that covers the little grooves and pits on their teeth, making them easier to clean.
Gum Disease
You might think of gum disease as a problem for older people, but the truth is that it affects kids as well. It’s an infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth, and it’s a big cause of tooth loss in adults. Like cavities, it’s caused by bacteria in the plaque and tartar that build up on your teeth. If not removed regularly, it can lead to chronic irritation of your gums and, eventually, gum disease. Regular dental checkups help to keep your child’s teeth and gums healthy by getting rid of soft plaque and hardened tartar that brushing and flossing can’t reach.
Gum disease can cause a number of problems for your child, from sensitivity to bad breath, receding gums, and even bone loss. It’s important to teach your children good oral hygiene habits from the start, and dental checkups are a great way to make sure that they have a strong foundation to build on. If they develop gum disease, it’s best to get treatment as early as possible to prevent it from becoming severe.
Mild cases of gum disease can be treated with a combination of professional cleanings and regular home care. Regular brushing, flossing, and using a mouth rinse containing fluoride can all help to keep your child’s teeth and gingiva in tip-top shape. Your dentist can also provide advice about changing certain behaviors, such as smoking or chewing tobacco, to improve your child’s gum health.
Everyone is prone to developing cavities and gum disease, but you can help to reduce your child’s chances of suffering from them by practicing good oral hygiene and visiting the dentist regularly. In addition, catching problems early can help to stop them from worsening and reduce the need for costly treatments later on. It’s also an opportunity to teach your kids the importance of good dental health and help them develop a positive attitude towards it that will last through their entire life.
Bad Breath
Bad breath, or halitosis, is one of the most common oral problems for children. This is because many children don’t brush their teeth often enough or correctly to keep their mouths clean. This can lead to plaque build-up and a pungent, unpleasant odor that’s hard to get rid of. If the odor persists, it could be a sign of gum disease or other oral health issues. This is why it’s so important to have your child see their dentist every six months. Their dentist will be able to remove any plaque that’s caught between their teeth and give them a deep cleaning.
In addition, if your child’s halitosis is caused by a lingering food or drink, their dentist can help them to improve their oral hygiene routine. Brushing their teeth twice a day and after each meal with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing regularly can eliminate the odors caused by leftover food and drinks. Using an alcohol-free mouthwash after each meal can also help to freshen up their breath.
However, in some cases, a child’s halitosis may be caused by an underlying medical condition. For example, acid reflux can cause bad breath in some kids by regurgitating partially digested foods into their mouths. This can produce an odor that smells like rotten eggs. Other medical conditions that can cause bad breath include sinus infections; bronchitis; liver or kidney disease; and diabetes. It’s always a good idea to see your child’s dentist if they have bad breath that doesn’t go away with proper oral care and routine visits to the dentist. They can pinpoint the underlying problem and find the best course of treatment. Frequent dental visits will help your children to become accustomed to the practice, resulting in a positive attitude toward dentistry and easier, quicker treatment for any oral problems that develop in the future. It’s also a great way to teach your children good oral hygiene habits that they can carry into adulthood. Ultimately, regular dental check-ups will give your children the beautiful smiles they deserve.
A Confident Smile
It’s important for children to have a smile that they feel proud of. When a child feels self-conscious about their smile, they tend to hide it or cover it with their hands. This can impact their interactions with other people and lead to problems in school or work. Regular dental checkups can help ensure that their smile is healthy and aesthetically pleasing. Having healthy and beautiful teeth is also a great confidence booster.
Kids need to start visiting a family dentist as soon as their first baby tooth pops up. These appointments can ensure that any crooked or unhealthy teeth are taken care of before adult teeth grow in. This prevents future orthodontic work that can cost a lot of money. It’s also an opportunity to instill the importance of proper oral hygiene habits in their young minds, so they have a habit of brushing and flossing for life.
A dentist can also identify other issues that could be causing harm to a child’s health. For example, gum disease can indicate that a child has diabetes. The mouth is also the main entry point for bacteria. A dentist can identify systemic health issues that may need to be addressed, such as the lymph nodes in the jaw or neck.
Educating children about the importance of regular dental checkups can be a challenge. Parents can try to make dental checkups a positive experience for their children by making them fun and interactive. If a child doesn’t open up immediately, parents can try to re-frame the discussion in a different way. Using humor and positive reinforcement will help the conversation flow more smoothly and help the child build trust in the dentist and their routine dental care. If possible, parents can even bring their children to a dental appointment with them to familiarize them with the environment and show them how much fun it can be.
