A part of our back to school routine always involves my children visiting the dentist. For me it is a great way to keep on track and make sure there are no problems we are not yet aware of. Even before the kids started school they would regularly visit the dentist. Our dentist is great and would do mini visits with the younger kids when they came in with the older. This would just be a few minutes in the chair with a quick look over in their mouths. This mini visit helped prep the kids for their regular appointment that would happen around age 3-4. Did you getting a child into the dentist’s chair early on can help put them on a path to healthy teeth and gums? I asked online when you should take your child to the dentist and the answer I got was this
The general rule is six months after eruption of the first tooth. Taking your child to the dentist at a young age is the best way to prevent problems such as tooth decay, and can help parents learn how to clean their child’s teeth and identify his or her fluoride needs.
Establishing a routine of healthy oral habits and routine dental visits is important. Many schools will do dental screenings, but often what they find is farther gone than it would be if they had seen a dentist regularly. Braces are another factor when it comes to your child’s teeth. This why early diagnosis is important for children’s teeth. Seeing a dentist routinely can help your child if they eventually need to see an orthodontist.
Some of the more readily apparent conditions that indicate the need for an examination include:
- early or late loss of baby teeth
- missing or extra permanent teeth
- difficulty in chewing, biting or speech
- mouth breathing
- thumb sucking or other oral habits, including tongue thrusting
- crowding, misplaced or blocked-out teeth
- jaws that shift or make sounds
- crossbites
- teeth that meet abnormally, or don’t meet at all
- facial imbalance or asymmetry
- jaws that are too far forward or back (overbites or underbites)
As your children grow it is important you watch for any of these signs as well. If you notice anything of concern be sure to let your dental professional know right away.
The earlier you detect any issues the sooner they can be resolved and less chance of them being drastic.
Have you taken your child to the dentist yet?
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