The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests tooth decay is one of the most common chronic childhood diseases in the United States. Decay can ruin your child’s smile, hurt their self-esteem, and set them up for future health concerns. Although it can be easy to overlook your child’s dental health, oral health in youngsters is vital to your kids’ healthy growth and development.
At Babylon Dental Care, we get it. Kids don’t like going to the dentist. It can be a scary and overwhelming experience. Our kind and compassionate team wants to make routine visits easy and comfortable for you and your family because establishing good oral health practices in youth is vital to your children, and we’ll tell you why.
Why Is Dental Health in Children Important?
Studies show that good oral health impacts more than just your smile. It impacts your entire body and overall health. Building healthy habits and good oral hygiene starts in childhood. When you help your child form a brushing and flossing routine and schedule regular dental check-ups, you reinforce positive oral hygiene habits that will follow them into adulthood. Early dental intervention sets your child up for a healthy and productive lifestyle. Poor hygiene and dental health in children can detrimentally impact a child’s physical and mental health by:
- Making it difficult to chew food
- Affect a child’s speech patterns and pronunciation
- Increase the chances of a child developing cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease
- Cause pain or tooth loss
- Cause bad breath
- Lead to teasing or self-esteem issues
All children should receive an oral health examination by age one or when the first tooth emerges. Regular dental check-ups should be every three to six months, depending on your child’s needs.
Baby Teeth Are Not Disposable Teeth
Some people mistakenly believe that it is unnecessary to carefully maintain good oral health in small children because they will lose their baby teeth anyway. Nothing could be further from the truth. First and foremost, establishing a healthy oral care routine early in life increases the likelihood that your child will continue to prioritize their oral health as they get older. Baby teeth also play a vital role in a child’s speech development and general health and wellness.
Tooth decay, even in baby teeth, can be dangerous. Tooth decay can be extremely painful and put a child off eating properly, brushing, flossing, and visiting a dentist for help because of the fear and anxiety caused by the cavity or decay. Early tooth loss from tooth decay can also disrupt the transition from baby to permanent teeth. Without losing the baby tooth naturally, the permanent tooth may “drift” or not come in at the correct position. This drift can lead to tooth crowding, crooked teeth, and the need for expensive orthodontic care in the future. Tooth decay in children can also cause gum disease and, in some cases, significant oral infections.
Babylon Dental Care Can Help You Protect Your Child’s Smile
Regular dental check-ups are as crucial to your child’s health and wellness as routine pediatric appointments. At Babylon Dental Care, our compassionate dental team has all the tools and resources to help keep your child’s smile healthy and bright. Call our office today at (631) 983-6665 to schedule an appointment.
