The sooner children begin getting regular dental checkups, the healthier their mouths will stay throughout their lives. It is recommended that the first visit occur within six months of the child’s first tooth emerging. Preventive care such as cleanings and if necessary, fluoride treatments, provide children with ‘smile’ insurance. Routine dental exams uncover problems that can be easily treated in the early stages, when damage is minimal.
Youngsters with healthy teeth chew food easily, learn to speak clearly and smile with confidence. These early visits also help teach parents and caregivers how to care for their children’s teeth and help them remain cavity-free. For example, pediatric dentists see many young patients with cavities that came from falling asleep with a bottle of milk or juice. The dentist can tell the parent or caregiver:
Why this causes decay?
The importance of encouraging children to drink milk, water and juice from a cup as they approach their first birthday.
How to brush young teeth.
There is also more that goes on during a regular dentist checkup. During your checkup appointment, your dentist will evaluate the health of your gums, and perform a head and neck examination to look for anything out of the ordinary, and examine your mouth for any indications of oral cancer, diabetes, or vitamin deficiencies. Don’t be surprised if your dentist also examines your face, bite, saliva and movement of your lower jaw joints.
The Dental Centre provides gentle, expert care to all children through age 18. And right now we’re giving each and every child who visits a free mouth guard. Any child involved in a recreational activity, such as soccer, hockey, football, rollerblading, riding a scooter, and even bicycling should wear a mouth guard.
No strings attached: Your child’s mouth guard is 100% FREE; you don’t have to be a patient of ours; you don’t even need to make a donation!