Dental Care For Babies
If a single picture is worth a thousand words, then it is easy to reason that a child’s smile is priceless. And in order to maintain that precious smile, you’ll need to take your child to the dentist.
Every child should visit the dentist at least once prior to their first birthday. This is a simple rule to remember, “first by the first,” though in practice, it may be more complicated. Children need treatment from dentists who specialize in pediatric care and who can recognize the early signs of tooth decay and gum disease in minors.
Good Dental Care Starts Early
Children have sweet teeth — this is a well-known fact. The trouble is that their teeth and gums aren’t always ready for all the sweets that children love to eat. An overabundance of sugar can lead to tooth decay and gum disease, and this can mean years of oral pain and hardship down the road.
And even before your child’s teeth begin to grow in, monitoring their gums is equally important, as babies can be at risk for gum disease and decay as a result of baby bottles and sippy cups.
Then, as baby teeth do begin to grow in, it becomes increasingly important to start dental habits immediately, as a CDC report has shown that dental care costs are approximately 40% lower over a 5-year period for young children who see a dentist by the age of 5.
What to Expect
The first dental visit is a simple check-up. This is an opportunity for your child to get to know what it is like to visit the dentist and to become comfortable with the many tools and the atmosphere of the place.