Oral Health Link to Whole Body Health: A Blog

4 Benefits of Regular Childhood Dental Visits

6 January 2022

Duane Kelly

Childhood dental visits are important to not only keep kids' teeth free from cavities but also to prevent a whole range of oral health problems. Here are four good reasons to regularly take your kids to a local dental practice so a dentist can check their teeth. 

1. Healthy Teeth

During a dental visit, a dentist checks for the early signs of cavity development. They can place a filling in a cavity before it becomes painful to prevent the decay from spreading deeper into the tooth. Dentists can also provide treatments to prevent cavities from developing in the first place, such as a fluoride varnish application.

2. Healthy Gums

Gum disease affects a large portion of adults. Although many people only notice the symptoms later in life, the origins of gum disease can stretch as far back as early childhood. If your kids have a heavy build-up of plaque on their teeth, the bacteria contained within the plaque can begin to infect the gums, leading to swelling, bleeding and tenderness. Dentists can spot the signs of gum disease, such as gums that bleed easily in response to probing with dental instruments, and provide treatment and advice that can prevent it from developing further.

3. A Straight Smile

When kids' adult teeth start to come through, there is no guarantee that their alignment will be perfect. Small gaps between the front teeth are common and can cause teenagers to feel sensitive about their appearance, while more serious misalignment can make it difficult to eat normally or pronounce words properly. Crowding towards the back of the mouth is also very common and can cause teeth to scrape against the gums, tongue or cheeks, causing pain and potentially also an infection. Dentists can spot misalignment as soon as the adult teeth start to emerge and refer your child to an orthodontist for treatment.

4. No Fear

Kids who only visit a dentist when they already have a serious dental problem are more likely to associate the experience with pain, anxiety and invasive procedures. Let your child get used to visiting a dental practice for routine checkups so they are more likely to feel relaxed around dental appointments as an adult. The key to preventing dental phobias in kids is to find a dental practice that is welcoming to young patients and provides an interesting and entertaining environment to distract them from any worries.

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