It can seem a bit silly to start thinking about your child’s dental care before they’ve even started growing teeth. However, lifelong good oral hygiene starts in infancy. Parents should make sure children start seeing a dentist early and life, and they should attend regular pediatric dental check ups in Las Vegas every 6 months.
Not only will these childhood dentist appointments help establish proper oral care routines, but they can help prevent a whole host of more serious problems. If you’re still wondering why it’s so important to bring your child for pediatric dental check ups in Las Vegas, here are some of the top reasons to make regular dentist visits a part of your child’s life.
Start Good Hygiene Early
The oral hygiene habits that your child develops during their early years will follow them for their whole life. Since you only get one permanent set of adult teeth, it’s important for parents to stress the importance of taking care of teeth and gums.
Before your child is old enough to care for their oral health on their own, parents should take charge. Infant oral care should begin early, and your young one should have their first dental appointment within 6 months of the eruption of their first tooth or before their first birthday. Initial children’s dental check ups will focus on helping parents care for their baby’s teeth.
When your child becomes more independent, their dentist will teach them the proper techniques for brushing and flossing their teeth.
Prevent Tooth Decay with Cleanings
Even the most diligent brushers and flossers won’t be able to remove all of the plaque that builds up on teeth. You have to be sure to pair home oral care with professional cleanings to help prevent tooth decay and cavities, which is why pediatric dental check ups in Las Vegas are so important. Tooth decay is a very pervasive problem among children — nearly 28% of children between age 2 and 5 will develop tooth decay! Luckily, this can easily be prevented with regular cleanings.
During the cleaning, the dental hygienist and dentist will remove any plaque and tartar that has built up on your child’s teeth. They’ll use a high-powered toothbrush to remove any buildup that they couldn’t remove by hand. If plaque and tartar buildup is left untreated, it can worsen and cause tooth decay and cavities. It’s much easier and less painful to prevent these problems than it is to treat them, so regular cleanings are a must.
Explore Options Like Fluoride and Dental Sealants
If you’re looking for more ways to help your child prevent tooth decay, the staff at your Children’s Dentistry office can discuss optional treatments. Professional, in-office fluoride treatments can help strengthen the enamel on teeth. Strong enamel helps keep tooth decay at bay. They may also suggest the use of fluoridated toothpastes for at-home use.
Dental sealants are another option you can discuss during your pediatric dental check ups in Las Vegas. Dental sealants are protective barriers that cover the chewing surfaces of your child’s permanent teeth. Adult teeth contain pits and fissures, and it’s easy for food to get caught in these divots. This stuck-on food becomes a breeding ground for bacteria which can lead to cavities and tooth decay.
To help prevent bacteria from building up in these fissures, your child’s dentist can apply dental sealants to their teeth. The sealants are plastic-like coverings that fill in all the little nooks and crannies in the teeth so food can’t get stuck there. They’re impervious to bacteria, saliva, and food particles. Paired with preventative dental care, dental sealants will ensure that your child’s teeth stay cavity-free for years to come.
Identify Orthodontic Problems with X-Rays
As your child grows, so do their teeth and jaw. During pediatric dental check ups in Las Vegas, the dentist will take pediatric dental x-rays of your child’s teeth. X-rays let the dentist to gauge the development of your child’s permanent teeth. Certain issues aren’t detectable with a visual exam alone, and s-rays allow the dentist to identify issues that could otherwise be missed. X-rays can identify missing or extra teeth, identify infections, monitor recovery after a mouth injury, and determine if your child needs orthodontic treatment.
If your child’s teeth seem to be growing improperly, these issues will be picked up on the x-ray. Early orthodontic evaluation can help figure out the best way to address any spacing or alignment issues. The earlier that issues are identified and treated, the easier that treatment will be.
Treat Issues Like Thumb Sucking and Pacifier Weaning
Children have dental issues that are unique which is why it’s best to get pediatric dental check ups in Las Vegas rather than visiting a general dentist. For example, your child’s dentist can offer advice and strategies for common problems like thumb sucking and excessive pacifier use that can cause serious problems down the line. It can be difficult to wean your child from their thumb or pacifier on your own, and your child’s dentist can help provide support. It’s important to report these habits to the dentist — if they aren’t discontinued by an appropriate age, they can cause lasting damage to teeth.
There’s no denying that parenting requires lots of juggling, but regular children’s dental check ups are definitely something that needs to be on your radar. It’s much easier (and less expensive) to bring your child in for preventative care than it is to handle the tooth decay and cavities that can occur when you skip out on the dentist. If it’s time for your child’s next pediatric dental check up in Las Vegas, contact Children’s Dentistry today.