Health and Fitness

When Is The Best Time To Take My Child To The Dentist?

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At what age should a child first visit the dentist? Every parent will ask themselves this question, as they wish to ensure that their child receives the best attention, and the short answer is, as soon as the first milk teeth begin to erupt. While a child’s milk teeth will eventually be replaced by the permanent set, there are still aspects of oral hygiene that should be introduced well before the permanent teeth arrive.

Below are tips that will help you in ensuring your child’s teeth get proper care. 

Adopting Good Oral Hygiene Practices

We are all creatures of habit, and regarding oral hygiene, the sooner a child begins brushing and flossing, the better. There is a very child-friendly dentist in Noosa and Noosaville, and if you make the first appointment for your child at around 3 years old, this would be an ideal time to introduce the toddler to oral hygiene. It is important to find a dentist who works with children, as they have the techniques to calm the child, and even one bad experience in the dentist’s chair could cause the child to develop a dislike that will be with them right through to adult life.

Regular Check-Ups

You and your partner could always time your dental appointments with that of your child’s, which would make it a family affair, and this would ensure that the child’s teeth and gums are developing correctly. One thing to monitor is the bite action, which is important, and if the dentist notices under or overbite, he can take preventative action to cure the problem before it develops into something more serious. Twice a year would be ideal for dental check-ups, and by teaching your child how to brush and floss correctly, with the right frequency, this will soon become second nature, and that is a vital component to maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

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Dietary Advice

It is important that your child is not given a sugary diet, as too much sugar is the prime cause of tooth decay, and while it is OK to have sweet things now and then, foods and drinks with high sugar content should be avoided. Children tend to follow their parents’ behaviours, so if you make a point of brushing together every morning and evening, this will instil the best oral hygiene habits, and let’s not forget brushing after every meal. There are articles you can find online that show how to teach a child to correctly brush their teeth, and it comes complete with diagrams for easy understanding.

Preventative Dental Care

Preventative dental care is important for everyone, especially children, and should the dentist notice any minor issues, they can be treated before they become an issue. Once the milk teeth have been replaced by the permanent ones, the dentist can check that there is no misalignment before it becomes a problem, and the twice-yearly visits should be sufficient.

Once your child has gotten into a routine, oral hygiene should never be an issue, and should your child be in any discomfort at any time, make an appointment to see your dentist sooner rather than later.