As a parent, you may wonder when it is the right time for your children to begin going to the dentist. As a general rule of thumb, the sooner, the better. This will help them have healthier mouths throughout their lives, while preventing issues such as tooth decay and cavities, which may eventually lead to pain, as well as a number of other serious medical issues. When you find a Kids Dentist Clifton Park NY to schedule regular appointments with for your child, it will help ensure healthy teeth and a confident smile.
According to the American Dental Association each child should visit a dentist by the age of one, or when their first tooth appears. This is generally considered a well-baby visit, just like they will have at the pediatrician’s office, but for the teeth. During the visit the dentist will also teach parents or caregivers the proper way to care for their children’s teeth and ensure they stay cavity-free.
There are a number of Kids Dentist Clifton Park NY that see younger patients that have cavities as a result of falling asleep with a bottle of juice or milk. The dentist will tell the caregiver or parent:
1. The proper way to brush young children’s teeth
2. The importance of children drinking from a cup by their first birthday
3. Why decay occurs
A dentist will also encourage parents to eliminate on-demand breastfeeding at night when the child’s first teeth come in.
Tooth decay is considered the most common chronic disease that is seen among children in the US. In fact, it has been reported by the CDC that over 40 percent of kids will have decay by the time they are five years old.
Understanding the importance of great oral care is essential for everyone from age one all the way to age 100. Ensuring your kids have great oral health early on will help them maintain this health throughout their lives. They will learn the importance of good oral hygiene when you Choose Capital District Pediatric Dentistry and how regular dentist visits will help them find problems early on, and prevent serious issues later on down the road.
