Monday, January 27, 2020

Healthy Habits:When should your child visit a Pediatric Dentist?


A child’s health is of utmost priority to every parent. While they make it a point to visit a pediatric doctor to ensure the overall health of their child, they tend to ignore their oral health. Delaying the dental checkup can cause irreparable damage to the teeth of a child and become a hindrance in speech development. Therefore, it is crucial to take your child for a checkup to the dentist at the right time. Wondering when your child should visit? Here is all you should know to ensure oral health if the child doesn’t suffer. Or, if you need some additional help regarding the same, don’t forget to visit the official website of ArabiaMD. 

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When to take a child to a pediatric dentist:
The dental condition of the babies keeps changing. Just like the overall growth of every baby happens at a different pace; similarly, the development of their primary teeth or milk teeth can also vary. As such, it can become difficult to know when to schedule your child’s first visit with a pediatric dentist. The following are a few ways to help ascertain the right time:

1. At the right age: A majority of parents believe that since their child does not have all the teeth, there is no need to visit a dentist. They delay the visit until their child is close to 2 years. But, according to the prestigious American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association, the right age is when the baby is one year old. Ideally, babies start developing teeth when they are 6 to 9 months old. Taking the child around this age can offer them the right dental care if required.
2. When they get the first teeth: If your child is a slow developer, it might take them more to start getting teeth. In case your child has not started getting teeth even at the age of one, you can skip the taking them when they turn one and schedule the visit as and when they get the first teeth. You can take them to the pediatric dentist within six months of the first teeth.
3. The occurrence of dental troubles: Children tend to eat a lot of candies and sweets, which can certainly impact their oral health. If their teeth show signs of decay or cavities, take it as an indication and visit a dentist. A dentist will fill in the cavity and use a pediatric dental crown to prevent the problem from worsening.

Why should you take the child to a dentist:
The milk teeth or primary teeth end up falling and permanent teeth come in their place. A common question that comes up here is why should the child see a doctor when the teeth are naturally falling off? Well, here are a few points which indicate the importance of consulting a pediatric dentist:

· Reduces dental jitters: It is common for people of all ages to get nervous at the very thought of visiting a dentist. But, if you start taking the child to a dentist from a very young age, there are chances that they will not be scared. At the age of 1 or 2, a child is too young to get nervous. They will get familiar with the doctor and the surroundings making it a stress-free experience for them later on. Your child will be ready to sit in the chair and get the required treatment from the next visit, without creating a fuss.
· Easy introduction to oral hygiene: There is a need to teach children the important dental habits that only a professional can do. A dentist will be able to teach the basics of brushing and flossing that can ensure your child has better oral health. But, if the child is young, you can learn the right way to clean their teeth until they learn it themselves.
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· Early detection of dental troubles: An early visit to the dentist will give them a chance to examine the teeth, gums, and jaw of your child. They can look out for decay, cavities, or any other problem that can harm the teeth or speech of the child. Early detection can help get the required assistance at the right time and solve the issue. If it goes unnoticed, not only speech but the overall academic performance of a child can also suffer.



Final Thoughts
The first visit to a pediatric dentist can be an important step to ensure the oral health of the child. It can shed light on the development of teeth, or the lack, and ensure that there is no deformity. To ensure the first appointment goes smoothly, you can talk to the dentist beforehand. Also, if the child is well-rested and full before going to the doctor’s clinic, there won’t be any fuss or crying.

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