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Longmont Dentist Explains Why Your Children Should See a Family Dentist

Many parents find themselves avoiding regular dental visits for their children because they worry their children will resist dental treatment—this is understandable, we all know how difficult it can be to get grown adults in the dentist’s chair! However, pediatric dental care is an important component of your child’s overall health and wellbeing. Although your children will eventually lose their baby teeth, it’s important to keep primary teeth strong and healthy for your child’s dental development.

What Do Baby Teeth Do?

Baby teeth aid in healthy pediatric development in a variety of ways. Baby teeth are crucial for your child to develop healthy self-esteem. These teeth allow your child to learn to speak correctly, chew normally, and smile confidently. Also importantly, baby teeth serve as placeholders for adult, permanent teeth. Without baby teeth, your child’s teeth could shift along the gum line. This can lead to crowding, crooked teeth, and large gaps in your child’s adult smile. With the help of a family dentist, you can maintain the integrity of your child’s teeth and smile for years to come.

Treat Dental Problems Right Away

Everyday things like formula, sugary fruit juices, and soft drinks can lead to dental decay in baby teeth. Additionally, pacifiers, bottle-feeding before bed, and thumb sucking can take a toll on your child’s smile. During your child’s dental appointment, a family dentist will perform a thorough evaluation of his or her teeth, gums, cheeks, and tongue. A family dentist can effectively treat dental problems that may not even be noticeable to you or your child. By treating dental problems right away, before they become serious, you can save your child the pain of a dental infection and the hassle of losing a tooth prematurely.

Plan for the Future

Seeing a family dentist regularly will also help your child maintain healthy teeth into adolescence and adulthood. Your family dentist may take X-rays at your regular dental cleaning. These X-rays are invaluable assets—allowing your dentist to track your child’s dental development, and anticipate future dental and orthodontic issues. Preventative dental care—like fluoride treatments—will also help your children develop a healthy smile.

A family dentist can also be a useful ally as you help your child establish good oral hygiene habits at home. For example, our Longmont family dentists reinforce dental hygiene habits by showing kids how to brush and floss properly, and encouraging them with positive reinforcement. Patients who have positive dental experiences as children will be less likely to avoid the dentist as adults.

How to Get Started

Ideally, you should schedule your child’s first dental visit by his or her first birthday. After your initial appointment, your dentist can work out a dental plan that is right for your family—it is generally recommended that children see a Longmont family dentist every six months. Going to the dentist doesn’t have to be a scary experience. Getting your children to develop positive dental health habits at a young age will allow them to enjoy healthy smiles well into adulthood.