smiling boy at the beach

The Importance of Early Dental Care for Kids

Team Pediatric Dentistry

There was a time when people thought that baby teeth didn’t matter very much because they’d just fall out eventually anyway. Now, we know better so we do better! Primary teeth play an important role in your child’s development—they help them speak properly and eat the healthy foods their bodies need to grow big and strong. (And yes, they also save room for the adult teeth when it’s time for them to erupt!) Here’s why early dental care matters.

Early Preventive Care Means Fewer Dental Issues

When it comes to caring for your child’s teeth, the old saying is true: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Aside from brushing and flossing at home, preventive care is one of the best tools we have for lowering the risk of tooth decay and other dental issues. 

Regular dental cleanings remove cavity-causing plaque and tartar deposits that can’t be removed by brushing alone, and polishing the teeth afterwards creates a smooth surface that makes it more difficult for new plaque to form. With comprehensive oral evaluations every six months, your child’s dentist will be able to identify decay in its earliest stages, when it’s simple and inexpensive to treat.

When a child's teeth aren't properly cared for, they may require extensive and costly restoration work. Leaving decayed teeth untreated can lead to pain, embarrassment, and serious oral health issues.

Regular Dental Visits Create Good Habits

Children's habits often last a lifetime, so educating them on how to care for their teeth now will help establish good oral hygiene for life. We will give your child oral hygiene instruction during their visits to our office so they learn proper brushing and flossing techniques. 

When children are accustomed to coming in for checkups every six months, it becomes routine—something they know they must do on a regular basis, like getting a haircut or going to the doctor for annual physicals. It also helps create a trusting relationship between dentist and child (and parents too!). Children are less likely to be anxious about their appointments if they trust their dentist and understand that visiting their office is a positive experience.

Frequent Visits Are Easier Visits

Related to the previous point, appointments are easier when we see our patients every six months. Dental cleanings are faster and more comfortable when kids are familiar with our team and the process involved. 

Children who don't see the dentist regularly are usually anxious about their dental visits, and their visits are longer because they have more plaque and tartar. This creates a negative association; kids are apprehensive about their next visit, so their parents postpone it. Only by keeping up with regular appointments will you be able to break this cycle. Your little one will be more comfortable with our team and the feeling of having their teeth cleaned the more they see us.

Schedule a Routine Dental Exam for Your Child

We'd love to see your child at our dental practice, whether they have never been to the dentist before or it's just time for a check-up. Contact us today at 772-226-6888 to schedule an appointment at Dental Buddies of Vero Beach.