Dental care is essential at any age, but even more so for children. Getting your child’s dental health in order can bring many benefits, as well as decrease any potential risks from arising. Many parents don’t realize just how crucial the early stages of oral health are, which according to Canadian Dental Association, is recommended to begin as early as by a child’s first birthday or 6 months after the first tooth appearing.
Children’s untreated dental treatments may lead to pain and infection. It can also affect a child’s sleep, speech development and eating abilities. Regular early visits to the dentist will facilitate an easier treatment in adulthood, as well as reduce anxiety when visiting a dentist and educate children on proper tooth care such as proper brushing and flossing.
What most people don’t realize is that oral health is linked to overall health, with a neglect to early dental care as early as in childhood years possibly leading to health issues like diabetes and heart disease. In addition to regular visits to the dentist early on, it’s also important for kids to maintain regular oral health at home. This includes brushing teeth twice a day, especially before bed. For children under the age of 3, a small smear of toothpaste can be used, while for children over 3, a pea-sized amount of toothpaste is recommended. As soon as your child has teeth, a nylon bristle toothbrush will do its magic.
While baby teeth do indeed fall out, they’re vital for saving space for permanent teeth. If not cared for properly, permanent teeth can become damaged and/or misaligned, which leads to more necessary dental care in later years. Baby teeth need more care than anyone would assume, as they are weaker than adult teeth because they have a less dense and a much softer structure. Baby teeth are less protected than permanent teeth. They’re less anchored into the jaw, which makes them more leaner to damage even from a minor impact. Therefore, cavities can start and spread much faster than in permanent teeth. Good daily oral hygiene, on top of regular checkups with the dentist, protects baby teeth until they fall out.
As your child grows, so their teeth. You can expect constant changes in teeth just like you do in your child. That’s completely normal. What doesn’t change, however, is the importance of taking good care of these teeth. Caring for your child’s baby teeth isn’t like caring for your own adult teeth. It takes a much more delicate approach to make sure that baby teeth are in good health. Taking care of your child’s teeth is a big deal, but it doesn’t have to be hard. By teaching them good habits, easing their teething, and getting them used to the dentist early, you’re setting them up for a lifetime of healthy smiles.
Chroma Dental is all about making dental care fun and stress-free for both you and your kiddo. Reach out to us to book a visit. Let’s keep those tiny teeth shining bright!