Three reasons to take your child to take your child to the dentist on a regular basis
Posted on: 14 April 2017
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If your child isn't showing any visible signs of dental problems, you may feel as if there is no need to take them to the dentist. However, this is a mistake which could end up having a negative effect on their dental health in the future. Here are three reasons to take your child to the dentist on a regular basis.
To prevent them from developing a fear of the dentist
Many people are afraid of the dentist. This type of anxiety can result in them postponing dental appointments for far too long and thus lead to them needing very expensive, complex and potentially uncomfortable treatments later down the line. One way to prevent your child from developing this fear (and experiencing the problems associated with it) is to start bringing them to the dentist on a regular basis from a very young age. This will allow them to become familiar and comfortable with a dental clinic setting, and to develop a good rapport with your family dentist which will allow them to feel at ease in their presence.
If you notice that your child seems a bit apprehensive about going for a check-up, try to be careful about the language you used to describe dental visits; avoid using words such as 'painful' and 'injection' for example, when discussing any treatments they need to have. Additionally, it may be worth bringing along their favourite storybook or stuffed toy when they go for a check-up; this will help them to associate their trips to the dental clinic with positive feelings.
To receive expert advice
Regularly visiting the dentist with your child will provide you with the opportunity to receive expert advice on how to care for your little one's teeth. Their dentist will be able to demonstrate the correct brushing and flossing techniques and offer guidance on how to handle any specific dental conditions your child may have. They can also discuss dietary issues and offer insight into which foods and drinks you should allow your child to consume in order to keep their teeth and gums healthy. This type of advice could spare them the pain and hassle of complex dental treatments in the future.
To treat minor problems before they become major ones
Taking your child to the dentist every six months will make it far easier for your dentist to detect the early warning signs of inflammation and decay before these problems start to evolve into more serious issues. For instance, if they notice that a child has some tartar build-up on their molars, they may be able to remove this and add a protective sealant, to prevent decay from eating away at the tooth and causing a cavity which requires a filling or (in severe cases), root canal therapy. Likewise, if the dentist finds that your child's tooth enamel has started to erode, they can apply fluoride to the teeth, to mineralise them and thus eliminate the need for other, more painful treatments, such as the aforementioned fillings and root canals.