Going to the dentist should be a regular part of any person’s healthcare journey, but kids dental cleanings are essential. If children do not receive proper oral care, they can face repercussions for the rest of their lives, even long after their adult teeth come in. Kids might not like going to the dentist, but parents can make it a better experience for their children by changing their strategy.
Consider framing dental visits as opportunities to get a stronger, brighter smile that your child can be proud of. They can also visit a pediatric dentist, who specializes in caring for kids, complete with a child-friendly office full of fun games and bright colors. Children’s dentists also know how to engage with these young people to make cleanings more accessible and less scary.
Many people assume that it does not matter if a child goes to the dentist or suffers tooth decay when they still have their “baby” teeth. Since these teeth will fall out, parents often think that they do not need to invest in regular kids dental cleanings. However, this could not be further from the truth — for more reasons than one.
A child’s teeth are more likely to fall victim to decay, so they need to be cleaned more thoroughly and often. Reasons that children are more likely to experience cavities and other tooth problems include the following:
Poor oral hygiene practices
Young people are still learning how to brush, floss, and care for their teeth. While they practice these skills, their oral health is likely to be less than stellar, leading to an increased chance of decay.
High sugar content in diet
Children tend to consume a diet high in sugars through refined carbohydrates and sugary snacks like candy and juice. This sugar facilitates tooth decay and builds up on the teeth as plaque.
More frequent meals
Young kids, especially babies, usually eat more often than adults. This means more opportunities for food and drink particles to remain on teeth between brushing.
The main reason kids dental cleanings are essential to a child’s routine is that the adult teeth rely on the milk teeth, or “baby” teeth. These hold the space for the adult teeth, and if they fall victim to decay and fall out prematurely or lose their alignment, the adult teeth will not grow in properly.
Similarly, the baby teeth sit below the adult teeth in the facial structure, with the adult teeth resting higher in the socket, waiting to descend. If the baby teeth succumb to decay, this rot and bacterial overgrowth can proceed into the tooth roots and toward the adult teeth, causing damage before they even erupt from the gums.
Parents should consider a vital factor for the children’s oral health: how their peers will perceive them. Bullying and harsh words are an all-too-common part of going through school, and caregivers who fail to invest in regular kids dental cleanings can accidentally force their child to receive unwelcome comments from peers. Teeth that are yellow or develop dark spots due to decay can make a child embarrassed to smile in front of their friends.
A pediatric dentist is uniquely qualified to perform dental cleanings for kids. They understand how to make the experience less frightening, such as by explaining what they are doing and demonstrating the process on models of teeth so children can understand what is happening. Pediatric dentists also often use tools that fit inside the small mouths of children.
Pediatric dental offices strive to incorporate fun into the appointment process. From reward systems to engage kids to bright wall colors and interactive toys, children often feel safer during a kids dental cleaning than if they went to a dental office focused on adults. The pediatric dentist will typically perform a cleaning, flossing, and fluoride treatment during appointments.
Kids dental cleanings are essential to a good oral healthcare routine for young people. Parents should keep up with regular teeth cleanings, whether their child is still a baby or in their teenage years. Our office loves to work with children to make sure they get their dental cleanings from experts who care and make the process fun. Reach out to schedule an appointment.
Request an appointment here: https://www.grandparkwaypediatricdental.com or call Grand Parkway Pediatric Dental at (832) 579-0960 for an appointment in our Richmond office.
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