Early dental care is a set of dental visits and services that aim to prevent oral health concerns and address any developing concerns promptly. This is recommended for children as young as one, and much like with adults, it involves regular visits to the dentist for a check-up and routine cleaning.
Early dental care helps with cavity prevention, reduces the risk of gum complications, improves mouth function, and helps children keep a beautiful smile. The oral health lessons children learn during early dental care most often carry into their adolescent and adult years and help them maintain optimal oral health for decades.
Perhaps the primary benefit of early dental care is the prevention of dental cavities. Cavities, which occur when the outermost layer of teeth (enamel) erodes, are often more common among children. Early dental care can help prevent dental cavities by strengthening enamel and removing plaque and tartar that largely contributes to cavity formation.
Many consider periodontal disease an adult concern, but children can also develop gum disease. Of course, the focus of early dental care is on the prevention of gum complications. However, dentists can also address any warning signs promptly as well.
An often overlooked way early dental care helps children is through an improvement in mouth function. This notably includes chewing and talking. Speaking, in particular, is a major part of a child’s development. Parents can make this developmental trait easier through improved oral health with early dental care. Of course, proper nutrition and digestion are equally important for toddlers and adolescents.
While many think of cosmetic improvements to one’s smile as an adult concern, a beautiful smile benefits children the same as it does adults. Dentists are able to help children keep a good smile by removing plaque and tartar with each dental cleaning and helping ensure optimal alignment of teeth the best they can. Of course, a toothless smile will still occur (and can be quite cute).
Lastly, early visits to the dentist help create healthy habits and positive memories of dental visits. These positive memories help reduce the risk of dental anxiety and dental phobia that many patients experience into adulthood. In addition, through the prevention of restorative procedures, patients who start with early dental care often avoid the need for invasive procedures, which also helps prevent dental anxiety from developing and causing issues as the child grows older.
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You can get started with a consultation here at our dental practice. We provide early dental care for children over the age of one. During your first visit, we can discuss your child’s oral health and put together a prevention and treatment plan that promotes optimal oral health long-term.
Request an appointment or call Grand Parkway Pediatric Dental at 832-579-0960 for an appointment in our Richmond office.
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