Public Health England campaigns to help us protect children’s teeth. Dental cavities are the number 1 reason why young children are admitted to hospital. Though dental care is important whatever our age, it’s particularly important for young children. Here’s four good reasons why.
Before a child’s first tooth appears, wipe down the gums with a soft, wet cloth. As soon as a tooth shows, no matter their age, make a dental appointment and then visit on a regular basis. Doing so will provide a number of benefits for both parents and child. These include:
Ensure your child’s teeth develop correctly
Though eventually your child’s baby teeth will fall out, it’s still important to know if their teeth are developing in the right way. Baby teeth are the foundation of adult teeth, so if your child has tooth development issues when they’re younger, it’s likely that similar issues will crop up as an adult. A dentist will be able to assess early on whether your child’s teeth are growing in the right direction and if there are any issues with their bite. If problems are spotted early, they’ll be easier to rectify.
Establish a comfort level
Children accustomed to going to the dentist are less likely to fear going. Regular visits will help them feel at ease whenever a check-up should arise and less likely to resist any necessary treatment. As a result, the dentist’s work will be easier. The dentist also helps parents by reinforcing the need for good dental care routines at home.
Protect teeth from decay
Baby teeth are weaker than adult teeth because the dentine and enamel on each tooth is thinner. This is why your child’s teeth appear much whiter than adult teeth, but it also means they’re much more susceptible to decay. Visiting the dentist regularly will allow decay to be spotted as early as possible, and action to be taken to prevent it developing further.
Receive professional dental advice
Of course, the biggest benefit to taking your child to the dentist is the unparalleled dental advice you will receive. As a parent, you have a key role in helping your child to develop a proper oral hygiene routine. A dentist will be able to show you the correct way to brush and floss your child’s teeth, until they are of an age where they are able to do it themselves. They’ll also be able to give advice on the food and drink for children to avoid in order to keep their teeth as cavity free as possible.
Here at SpaDental, our dental teams welcome young children. Whether your child has one tooth or several, we are here to help. Simply find your local practice and give them a call.
Please note:
Three of our practices are able to register children as NHS patients in line with government initiatives to improve children’s oral health:
Our other practices welcome the children of registered private patients at favourable rates.