Every parent aims to give their children a beautiful future. They want to prepare their children for the world by giving them a quality education, a fulfilling life, love, and care. In your efforts to do this, have you considered including dental care in the plan? Find out why paediatric dentistry is important and what it can offer your child.
Why Do Children Need to Visit the Dentist?
Some parents feel that children don’t necessarily need dental care at an early age. We need to understand that good oral health from childhood extends to adulthood. If a child has poor dental health, it is highly likely to have extensive dental problems in adulthood.
When you let your child see the dentist:
- You train your child to feel safe in the dental clinic. Many kids dislike the dentist because of the idea that dental treatments are painful. When children are exposed to dental care, they understand that it’s a safe environment, and they will be comfortable returning in the future.
- You ensure the proper oral development of your child. Many dental problems start from childhood and, when left untreated, continue until adulthood. Save your children thousands of dollars in dental treatments by giving them early intervention.
- You teach your child the importance of oral health. By learning about oral health at a young age, your child will be able to carry on this knowledge until adulthood and even pass it on to their children.
Paediatric Dental Procedures and Treatments
Because children still have baby teeth, they don’t need extensive dental procedures. However, these dental treatments help maintain the structure and health of children’s teeth and gums, which provide a solid foundation for their permanent teeth:
- Sealants. These are used for covering the chewing surfaces of the teeth to prevent cavities.
- Dental fillings. These are applied after removing cavities from the children’s teeth. Fillings maintain the structure of the teeth and also prevent further decay.
- Tooth extraction. It is better to extract baby teeth that are deeply decayed or damaged. This prevents the decay from spreading to other healthy teeth and even to the permanent tooth underneath.
- Space maintainers. When a milk tooth comes out before its time, the open area in the gums may be occupied by the nearby teeth. This can cause problems when the permanent tooth is ready to erupt but has not enough space to come out. Space maintainers are placed to keep the space open for the eruption of permanent teeth.
- Early intervention and prophylaxis. Children’s teeth need early treatment and prevention to maintain good oral health into adulthood. This includes regular dental cleaning, X-ray imaging to see any hidden problems and malformations, removal of cavities, and fluoride application.
When Should My Child See the Dentist?
Children can visit the dentist as early as six months or as soon as the first tooth erupts. This is the perfect time to apply fluoride and ensure that the baby’s teeth are developing correctly. Afterwards, kids can continue their semi-annual dental check-ups until adulthood. They should also visit the dentist for emergencies such as broken, painful, or accidentally damaged teeth.
Find the Best Children’s Dentist in Wahroonga
As parents, it’s essential for us to feel that our children are safe and treated well. Wahroonga Dental Group strives to provide our patients with comfort and quality care, no matter their age. Our dental team is highly trained to handle children and address the needs of their tiny developing teeth. We will work closely with you to maintain the oral health of your child.