Visiting the dentist regularly is not just about having whiter teeth or a more beautiful smile. It is about improving your oral and overall health so that you are less likely to develop diseases.
Image credit: Stuart Miles | FreeDigitalPhotos.net
This fact is particularly important to a child whose teeth and body are still developing. Without proper care, the teeth and gums deteriorate before the child becomes an adult.
Learn seven reasons why it is a good idea to send your child to the dentist more often.
To prevent diseases in the mouth
Gum disease is an issue that affects dentists more than it affects patients. That is because many people do not worry about it until it is too late. Then, the signs start showing up like severe inflammation and tartar that is hard to remove.
If left untreated, gum disease destroys the gums and surrounding teeth. Dentists work with this problem all the time, but they cannot find it if you do not get checkups.
To avoid tooth decay
If any child does not brush properly, it is never a good sign. Even if your child does brush often, this decay could be inevitable. In an unclean mouth, the plaque hardens, the gum pockets deepen and the bone gets eaten by bacteria.
Soon enough, the teeth fall out or need to be replaced. Detecting tooth decay and gum disease are tasks that dentists are prepared for, not regular people like parents.
To look at dental cosmetic options
Almost everyone has heard about teeth whitening and straightening. There are plenty of other procedures in the cosmetic dentistry field. Dentists can place newer, better teeth into the mouth in the forms of crowns, implants and veneers.
They can also lift the gums or remove pigment from dark areas. Your dentist can recommend the best method to improve the look of a child’s teeth.
To receive early diagnoses
Countless diseases go undetected because they are not found on time. Getting a regular dental checkup is the way to find the early signs of gingivitis or tooth decay.
If the problem gets too severe, your child may need a root canal or other expensive procedure. Symptoms do not always appear in obvious ways, so a dentist has to check out the mouth.
To improve the body’s health
There is medical evidence that links oral health and whole body health. Severe gum disease has been linked to strokes and heart attacks. Excessive mouth bacteria are known to travel throughout the body and affect major organs.
Even though children are not likely to get strokes, they should learn the importance of having good oral health in order to have good health in general.
To use your insurance benefits
Insurance is the best option to have when you are stuck in a health bind. Most insurance plans have reduced or no payments for preventive procedures like dental checkups and physicals. It is important to use benefits to the fullest advantage.
Down the line, you avoid having to pay for expensive dental repair procedures.
The American Dental Association wants people to stay in touch with dentists every year. Without routine visits, there is no telling what could happen to teeth and gums. These body parts are more fragile than most people think, especially when it comes to a child’s body.
Dentists have all the tools and exams needed to care for young teeth in growing mouths. The preventative care procedures are affordable for any adult who has insurance. With or without insurance, every parent should understand the importance of getting a child checked out by a dentist.
Information provided by Eastgate Dental Centre, a Grimsby denture clinic.
Erika Remmington
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[…] your child to a relaxed and comfortable dental practice, beginning at an early age. Children should begin seeing the dentist after the eruption of their first tooth and definitely before they turn a year […]