Your Dentist Explains the Importance of Caring for Baby Teeth

Taking care of your son or daughter’s teeth can be a real hassle, but it’s completely worth it! The more your kids are exposed to brushing, flossing, and dental visits at an early age, the more likely they will be to continue a good oral healthcare routine as they grow older. Because its National Children’s Dental Health Month, the main goal is to raise awareness about the importance of oral healthcare early on. Read on to learn why it’s vital to schedule dental appointments for your kids and take care of their baby teeth from an expert dentist.

Why You Should Take Care of Baby Teeth

If your kids’ baby teeth are going to fall out anyway, why is it important to take care of them? Primarily, baby teeth are vital to their health and development. They help your son or daughter speak, chew, and smile, but they also hold space in their jawbone for their permanent teeth to grow in. If baby teeth are lost too early, it can cause their permanent teeth to drift and shift out of place. This can cause crooked and crowded teeth. That’s why taking care of their little baby teeth can actually set them up for oral health success for the rest of their life.

When Should I Take My Little One to See the Dentist?

Dental visits early on are integral to your child’s oral healthcare routine because it gets them familiar with the dentist. You should take your child in for a dental appointment once their first baby tooth has grown in or no later than their 1^st birthday. Your family dentist will check for cavities, but they will also show you the best ways to clean your little one’s teeth and gums. They will also give you important tips about habits they may develop like thumb sucking. As your son or daughter grows, they will gain a better understanding of the importance of their oral healthcare, especially with routine dental visits early in their life.

Little Smiles with Big Decay

Unfortunately, children are a lot more susceptible to cavities than adults. Their want for sugary foods combined with a less-than-thorough oral healthcare routine will often leave them with cavities and decay. In fact, it is estimated that 51 million school hours are missed each year because of cavity-related dental visits.

Thankfully, taking care of their baby teeth and routine dental visits will keep their teeth healthy and protected, while allowing them to learn, grow, and of course, smile!

About the Practice

At STEC Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, we have a team of 3 dentists who have a passion for caring for patients of all ages. They believe in keeping up with the latest dental technology and techniques to deliver you and your children high-quality dental care. For any questions, they can be contacted through their website or by phone at (308) 382-4440.