Your baby’s need for oral dentistry begins nearly from day one, but most certainly during the first year of life. Seeing to it that your child receives timely dental checkups helps to establish good oral hygiene practices.Teeth are Coming InIt usually takes your baby until about six months of age for his or her front teeth to begin showing, but it could take as long as a year or more, according to the American Dental Association.When they do raise their pearly-white heads, your local dentist can ensure their health and teach you the best way to keep them clean and cavity-free. Even before your baby’s teeth come through the gums, they are prone to cavities.The American Dental Association recommends you use a clean, moist gauze or washcloth to clean your child’s gums and helpprevent cavities. Once the teeth do come through, you can use a very small dab of toothpaste and gently brush your child’s teeth at least twice per day until your child eventually can to it properly on his or her own. Your dentist can help teach your child when the time comes.Ensure Baby Teeth Are HealthyMany parents wait until their child is 3 or even 4 years old before seeing a dentist for the first time. Parents.com says many parents make the mistake of thinking baby teeth don’t need care because they just fall out. Yet, your baby is vulnerable to gum disease and other oral health problems before his or her adult teeth eventually arrive and ever thereafter. Your child relies on your care for good oral health, and nursing, sugary foods, and baby food can cause cavities. Your dentist can help to ensure your baby’s teeth are in good health and eventually are replaced by strong and healthy adult teeth.Your Child Has a ToothacheIf you’ve ever had a root canal, then you know teeth can be very sensitive. The younger your child is, the more sensitive those teeth will be, and your child likely will develop a toothache due to a variety of possible reasons. It could be something as simple as a seed getting caught, orsomething more serious, like a cavity or gum disease. Instead of guessing about causes, bring your child in to see a good dentist and ensure the best oral health.Child Knocked a Tooth OutKids play, and sometimes they play too rough or just have a simple accident that leads to a sprain, broken bone, or possibly a chipped tooth or one that’s completely been knocked out. A child losing a tooth due to an errant ball throw, falling on a slippery surface, biting down on something hard, or simply moving from children’s teeth to adult teeth, there are many reasons a tooth might fall out or be knocked out.Especially when your child chips or knocks out an otherwise healthy tooth, you should take him or her to the dentist to ensure it is cleaned properly and to replace it if possible. If the tooth can’t be fixed, it might need a crown or extraction to prevent other health issues. No matter what the situation, your dentist is the best source of info and treatment for a tooth that is chipped, broken, or knocked out.Sports and Other ActivitiesThere is a good chance your child will become interested in sports, dance, cheerleading, or other activities that require special protection for your child’s teeth. Usually, that added protection will come from a custom mouth guard that stops your child from chipping or breaking teeth and can stop him or her from biting into the tongue.Your dentist should have a great deal of experience dealing with your child’s oral health when it comes to sports and can recommend the best mouth guards and other safety devices that will make it easier and safer to participate in sports and other extracurricular activities.It’s Time for BracesAfter your child has lost all of his or her baby teeth but has an overbite or other issue that needs correcting, you should see your dentist to discuss braces or an alternative treatment. Braces align the teeth to ensure proper biting and help to improve a child’s self-esteem with perfect teeth when the braces are removed.Braces used to be very costly and a generally unpleasant experience for children. Fortunately, with advancements in technology, children wear them for much shorter periods than they did in the past, and many new treatments, such as invisible braces, have done much to alleviate the former stigma that came with wearing braces as a teenager. Even movie stars have their teeth worked on with braces and invisible fixtures, and there is no reason your child can’t have a smile that is just as dazzling as a movie star’s.Every Six MonthsEven when all seems well, your children are happily chomping down all the meals you make for them, and they brush and floss their teeth at least twice per day, you still need to bring them in to see a dentist.Every six months is the best interval for seeing your favorite family dentist. This allows your dentist to stay on top of every subtle change that could lead to a cavity or other problems later on due to tooth decay, plaque buildup, and other potential health issues. When you take your child in every six months, a small problem can be dealt with to prevent a larger problem, your child can undergo regular teeth cleanings that get rid of plaque and tartar buildup, and you will know your children have the best possible oral health.Even better, regular dental visits ultimately lower your health care costs by preventing bigger, costlier problems later in life. At Cashion Dental, we love happy, healthy smiles at every age.Sources:http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/babies-and-kids/http://www.parents.com/advice/big-kids/hygiene/when-should-my-child-start-seeing-a-dentist/http://www.aapd.org/resources/frequently_asked_questions/#40
