If you’re one of the 75% of American adults that experience anxiety before going to a dentist appointment, you may be hesitant about putting your young children through the same fear.
However, taking your children to regular dental appointments is crucial to their oral health. If you wait too long, it can cause significant issues in the development of their teeth.
Unsure when or why young kids need to go to the dentist? Keep reading for the most vital information to keep you in the loop about your child’s oral hygiene.
Why Taking Children to the Dentist Is Important
As previously mentioned, taking your child to the dentist is crucial to their oral health.
Taking your children to the dentist for regular cleanings and evaluations can help the professional identify any issues with their teeth, such as cavities or signs of gum disease.
Being able to identify and rectify these issues early on will prevent lengthy treatment. This helps your child, as they won’t associate the dentist with long, painful appointments. Similarly, it also ensures their teeth grow healthy.
When You Should Take a Child for Their First Visit
Many dentists recommend seeing children for the first time around their first birthday if their first tooth has come in. However, it’s essential that you don’t wait until the last minute to schedule their appointment. Instead, searching “dentist near me” can help you secure an appointment early for your child.
Once the child reaches two, you’ll want to start scheduling regular cleanings. These cleanings occur every six months to ensure teeth are properly developing and free of plaque and tartar.
Though many parents are hesitant to bring young children to the dentist, this makes the experience less harrowing. Waiting too long can make the process seem more formal and intense for kids.
How to Promote Healthy Habits at Home
One of the most important ways to promote healthy habits in between visits is to lead by example. For example, if you brush your teeth as your child takes care of theirs, it becomes standard routine.
Also, you’ll want to avoid using the dentist as a scare tactic. Many parents unintentionally scare their kids when they mention how their child will need to go to the dentist for eating too much candy or biting to open packages.
Though this should be discouraged, finding a different way to approach the situation helps prevent your child from viewing dentists in a negative light.
Please Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
Though the dentist may be anxiety-inducing for you, it doesn’t have to be for your child! Scheduling dental appointments help it become a standard activity for your child, as opposed to something scary and unusual.
If you’re ready to schedule child dental services, thanks to the help of this guide, you’ll want to check out the rest of our site. You can find more health and wellness tips to help you live your healthiest life there.