Knowing When to Take Your Child to the Dentist

Knowing When to Take Your Child to the Dentist

February 10, 2015 Off By Jane
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Many adults are fearful of the dentist and don’t want their children to have the same type of experience. Dental fear is not uncommon, but it doesn’t have to be that way for your child. Dentistry has made a lot of advances in treatment, just in the past few years. It’s important for you to take your child to the dentist and to take care of their teeth. Use this guide to know when your children need to visit the dentist. Before you visit, talk to your child about the visit and be positive. If you need help, there are a number of books available that can help you introduce the idea in an encouraging manner.

Regular Check-Ups

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the first visit to the dentist should be when the first tooth emerges and at the very latest, by the child’s first birthday. A pediatric dentist has received two to three years of additional training after dental school. They specialize in infants and children, but if you can’t find one in your area, a family dentist is a good choice. The important thing is to introduce your child to dental care and get expert information about taking care of your child’s teeth.

Your dentist will tell you when you should bring your child back for follow-up visits. According to Cashion Dental (click here), generally, once your child turns two, your dentist will want to see them every six months for cleanings and checkups. The first set of x-rays occurs later, between the age of four and six.

Toothaches

Children often say that their teeth or mouth hurts. This could be food lodged between teeth or a new tooth coming in. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends rinsing the mouth with warm water and gently flossing for a toothache. If the pain is intense or accompanied by a fever, this could be an infection. If the pain lasts for more than 24 hours, contact your dentist.

Dental Emergencies

According to Cashion Dental (click here), if your child loses or cracks a tooth, stay calm. You will need to get your child to the dentist or ER as soon as you can, but quick thinking can save the tooth. Per the ADA, with a knocked out tooth, try to put it back in the socket to keep it moist. If that is not possible, put it in water or milk while you get to your healthcare provider. With a cracked tooth, rinse the mouth with warm water. This cleans the area. A cold compress on the face can help reduce swelling.

Orthodontic Care

Although many children don’t get braces until they become teenagers, according to WebMD, your dentist may recommend an orthodontic evaluation when your child is around seven. This can identify many problems early so that your child has a beautiful smile their whole life. Ask your dentist for their preference.

Early Care Equals Prevention

Baby teeth are important to the development of the permanent teeth, which is one reason your child needs to see the dentist early. A child learns good habits to take care of their teeth when they see a dentist on a regular basis. It also gets your child comfortable at the dentist and with their tools. You’ll see how far technology has come in making treatment more user friendly. You don’t want to wait until you have an emergency to find a dentist. Make an appointment for your child today.