The dental care you provide your children now will determine a lot about your child’s dental health for decades after he or she is grown and on his own. Dental health in childhood underlies dental health in adulthood, and habits built as a child affect the long term outcome just as habits of study and school attendance affect your child’s future financial and career success.
However, many people have trouble deciding what they should and should not be doing, and hope for some advice for dental care of their children. What is important and vital? What is just fretful worry?
While working closely with your child’s dentist is the very best way to get advice for dental care, it is possible to go in armed with a basic understanding of the issues. Learning beforehand makes things simpler for all concerned.
Dental Care for Children
The first thing a dentist can do is determine if there are any hidden problems threatening your child’s long term dental health. Getting regular check-ups in spite of the fact that your child only has “baby teeth” is crucial in this regard. A dentist can assure you that teeth are coming in on time, in appropriate alignment.
He can help pull damaged teeth quickly and painlessly, and can in many instances provide help that will assure you of proper alignment of later teeth. Likewise if there are clear indications of problems that may develop over time, such as the need for orthodontic treatment, your dentist can not only make recommendations and referrals, but he or she may be the very best person to lay the groundwork for orthodonture that will only occur as much as a decade or more from now.
Likewise a good dentist seen regularly can help your child develop healthy teeth and healthy attitudes toward dental health care. A child fascinated with his painless, entertaining regular checkup is far more likely to dedicate care to his own teeth than a child traumatized by irregular dentist visits that occur only when problems present themselves and pain is more likely.
Regular cleaning and checkups give your child a clean, healthy mouth when combined with good domestic dental care patterns. These consist of regular brushing and flossing, education in the care of fragile tooth enamel, and good eating habits that support oral hygiene rather than interfering with it. A lack of sugars and refined starches will reduce tartar and plaque on baby teeth and set up great habits for adulthood.
If a tooth is damaged, or slow to fall out naturally on schedule, be sure to consult your dentist. In particular if a baby tooth is knocked out during play or by accident while rough housing, recover the tooth and call your dentist immediately. In some instances the tooth can be replaced. Doing so helps ensure that permanent teeth will grown in correctly later. Likewise preserving and replanting an adult tooth that has already come in can ensure that later teeth growing in proximity will come in properly.
Above all remember that your dentist is your partner in ensuring your child’s dental health not only now, but for a lifetime. When he or she gives you advice for dental care for children you’re not just being told how to take care of your child now, but for forever.
By caring for your children and ensuring their dental care both at home and in the dentist’s office you are providing for a lifetime of health, happiness, and attainment.
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