We all know how important it is to get children in to see their pediatrician but many people do not take going for pediatric dental services is also crucial to maintaining a child’s health. Unfortunately, at least 20% of children never get in for pediatric dental exams. That results in 40% of kids starting kindergarten have cavities. When children’s oral health is neglected and allowed to deteriorate, they are three times as likely to suffer from dental pain that is bad enough to keep them out of school for periods of time. At least 51 million school hours are lost every year because of dental related problems, according to the Center for Health and Health Care in Schools.

Reasons to take your child for pediatric dental exams:

1. Going in for pediatric dental treatments can help keep their mouths clean. When your child reaches the age of one, they should be scheduled for their first pediatric dental exam. You should start bushing their teeth as soon as they appear but be careful what toothpaste you use. Unless you are given different instructions from your pediatric dentist, you should not use toothpaste with fluoride on children who are two years old or younger. Having professional cleanings every six months does a lot to keep both adult teeth and children’s teeth and mouths as clean as they should be kept.
2. Pediatric dentists can help make sure a child’s teeth develop properly. The healthier a child’s “baby teeth” are kept, the easier it will be for the permanent teeth to come in and form. When baby teeth are not tended to as needed and children are not able to get pediatric dental exams, there is a chance that they will fall out sooner than they should. That will force the remaining teeth to move around in the mouth. If they shift forward even a little, when the permanent teeth come in, they can be crooked from the outset. You can prevent the need for extensive work later by taking them in for their cleanings and check ups every six months.
3. Pediatric dental exams are the best way to stop decay. Tooth decay can cause a lot of problems for children. One real benefit to going to experts in pediatric dentistry is that when your child has their dental check ups, the dentist can find and deal with any possible tooth decay before it gets to be really bad. It is no state secret that children love foods that are not great for their teeth. Candy and other sweets are among their favorite things to eat. At the same time, not all children are as good about brushing, flossing and rinsing as they should be. Given the high number of children who do have cavities early in life, it is easy to see how finding and dealing with issues around tooth decay can make a difference in children’s health and well being.
4. Regular pediatric dental care helps kids learn how to keep their teeth clean. The dental hygienist and pediatric dentist can show your child the best way to brush and floss their teeth. When it comes to teaching children new skills, rewarding their good behavior is often very effective. By bringing your child to the dentist where they will get praised for doing a good job of keeping their teeth clean, you can reinforce these good habits. This is a great way to get them started on good oral hygiene habits that will last for their entire life.
5. Keeping the dental appointments is good to teach kinds to be responsible. When you make your appointments and keep them with the dentist and with the pediatrician, you show your children how important it is to follow through with your commitments. The lessons learned by kids, when they go to the dentist for pediatric dental exams, go far beyond just learning how important it is to take good care of their teeth.

Getting your children used to pediatric dental exams does them a lot of good. It is important to get them used to going to the dentist, which will also help keep them from developing a fear of going to get dental care.