Practicing good dental hygiene habits throughout life is important for maintaining oral health, especially if these habits form at a young age. Usually these habits begin forming in children when they start regularly visiting the dentist. Family dental practices offer services for children to promote their oral health and they also convey good dental hygiene habits to children so that they will continue to practice these habits throughout their lives. Family dentists understand the fear and anxiety that some children have of the dentist office and will help make children more comfortable and at ease during their visits.
It is generally recommended that children start making routine visits to the dentist by the age of three. However, parents who have a concern over their child’s teeth under the age of three are still encouraged to make an appointment to get an opinion from a dentist. A routine dental check-up for a child patient typically includes x-rays and teeth cleanings performed by a dental hygienist. During a child’s first visit, a comprehensive oral exam may be performed to check for tooth decay, gum disease, and proper development. In addition to the routine cleanings and oral exams, dental hygienists also teach children good flossing and brushing habits so that they may continue to maintain their oral health. Family dentists recommend that children visit the dentist once ever y six months for a routine cleaning and check-up.
The child dental services provided by family dentists often extend beyond routine cleanings to include sealants, fluoride treatments, fillings, extractions, bonding, crowns, and pulpotomies. These services supplement teeth cleaning to address deeper problems such as cavities, gum disease, and other common problems. Family dental practices may also share information with the child and their parents about proper home care and diet to help maintain optimal oral heath as well as addressing the fears and anxieties that children may have about visiting the dentist. The goal of this information is to help children be more comfortable at the dentist and form oral health habits that they will take well into adulthood.
In order for children to achieve and maintain optimal oral health, they should be visiting the dentist for regular check-ups by the time they are three years old. Regular visits to the dentist are beneficial for the oral health of a child and they also encourage children to develop their own dental hygiene habits. Family dentists usually incorporate fun perks for young children into their visits as well to make sure they are at ease and not fearful. By helping children feel comfortable with the dentist and teaching them effective dental hygiene habits at an early age, they can properly maintain their oral health as they grow older.
