Dentures: Facts, Figures and Friendly Advice for Seniors

3 Advantages of Regular Dentist Appointments for Kids

10 November 2021

Herman Kim

All parents want their children to have healthy teeth. However, busy family life can make it easy to forget to schedule dental appointments for your children. Here are three reasons why it is important to make dental visits a priority.

1. Avoid Cavities

Regular dental visits are the best way to prevent cavities and tooth decay. If your dentist sees signs of a cavity developing in your child's teeth, they can treat it using a dental filling. Dentists can also provide treatments to children who are at risk of developing cavities to make decay less likely. For example, they can apply a fluoride varnish to the teeth in order to strengthen their enamel and make them more resistant to decay.

Cavities can cause a significant amount of pain. If they are left untreated, they can lead to infections in the root of the tooth, which might require treatment with antibiotics. Shield your children from pain, discomfort and the side effects of further treatment by making sure they attend regular dental checkups.

2. Check That the Alignment is Normal

Ideally, children's teeth emerge from the gums in a straight and regular formation. In reality, it is common for kids to have irregularities in their dental alignment, such as an overbite, underbite, or twisted teeth. Dentists can spot the early signs of poor dental alignment and let you know if your child is likely to need braces. Some children benefit from early treatment with braces, whereas for others, the optimum treatment period is in their adolescence.

3. Tackle Dental Anxiety and Prevent Phobias

Many children are nervous about dentist appointments. In general, it is best not to let them avoid dental appointments completely on the basis of this fear, as avoidance of a scary situation can make the fear of it worse.

The best way to deal with dental anxiety in children is to choose a family dental office that offers a welcoming and child-friendly atmosphere. It is often a smart idea to visit the dental practice before the child's appointment to meet the staff and become familiar with the surroundings.

If your child's fear is severe, you can look for a dentist that specialises in treating kids who have anxiety. This kind of dental service often takes a little more time over appointments and may offer a range of sedation options for procedures such as dental fillings. By working with a sympathetic dentist, you can overcome your child's worries about accessing dental care.

Contact a local dentist to learn more.

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