In the past, it was considered
normal to start taking your child to the dentist when they were already five or
six years old. However, recently the consensus among professionals has changed.
According
to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, your child should be
brought for their first checkup either when their first tooth erupts or at
their first birthday at the latest. But why is it better for your child to be
seen so young? Here are several of the advantages that cited by dentists:
1. Gets them used to the experience
– As many older people probably can attest to, going to the dentist for the
first time was scary. By getting children used to dental visits early (before
they can get freaked out about it by friends who have already been or spiteful
older siblings trying to scare them) you can keep them from developing a phobia
and ensure that they have a positive experience.
2. Helps you and them develop a
healthy dental routine – It's always easier to instill good habits in
children when they are younger. You don't want to wait until your child is six
only to be told that they have been brushing their teeth wrong for years. The
problem is harder to fix at that point. By heading to the dentist earlier, you
can get customized recommendations that will result in the best possible oral
health for your child.
3. Avoids bacteria buildup and
cavities – Children's teeth are especially prone to cavities because
they are highly irregular in alignment and often have large gaps between teeth.
It is, therefore, crucial that you take your child to the dentist every six
months once they are a year old in order to get preventative cleanings.
4. Allows for options like sealants
for children during vulnerable years – Baby teeth may seem useless, but
they actually serve a purpose. They create a passageway for adult teeth once
they start appearing. Thus, if your child's baby teeth are damaged or destroyed
early, it can bad for their future teeth. One of the options that you have for
protecting them is to apply a sealant over the teeth so that bacteria cannot take
hold. These and other options can be better explored before your child develops
a problem – and if they do develop a cavity, you can catch and treat it better
if they are taken to the dentist regularly.
These are just some of the reasons
that it is now considered better to visit a dentistry office for
children in Jonesboro when kids are young. What do you think?
