The Importance of Pediatric Dentistry
For many parents, knowing when to take their child to see the dentist for the first time can be confusing. The general rule for starting to receive children’s dental services is ‘first year or first tooth’. But, according to a CDC report, as many as 49.7% of two-year-olds and 28.6% of three-year-olds have never been to the dentist.
Seeing a dentist early in childhood has a myriad of benefits that can last a lifetime. To start, visiting a dentist helps emphasize the importance of oral hygiene to establish healthy routines for children, including how to clean teeth and how to floss properly. It’s also critical to detect oral health issues early and monitor dental developments. If your child hasn’t been to the dentist before, here is what you can expect from their first visit.
“A lot of what we do with pediatric dentistry doesn’t have as much to do with fixing teeth as it does with teaching children to be comfortable with the dentist and learn how to manage their dental health,” says Dr. Crowley.
Why Children’s Dental Care Matters
Having a healthy mouth can affect your child’s physical, emotional, and social development. Both the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry have recognized the importance of pediatric dental care and highly encourage regular checkups.
Benefits of regular pediatric dentist appointments:
Prevention of Dental Problems: By starting dental visits early, you’re setting your child up to avoid dental problems down the road. We’re able to provide cleanings and treatments to prevent tooth decay and gum disease and offer other services like sealants to prevent cavities.
Helping to Teach Good Eating Habits: What you eat plays a huge role in your dental health. Our team can work with you to educate your child (and you) about how different foods and drinks affect your oral health.
Reducing Dental Anxiety: We know that going to the dentist for the first time can be scary both for your child and for you as a parent, and we work to make these visits as relaxing and ‘fun’ for your child as possible. Our team will work to accommodate you and your child’s needs as best we can, and we look forward to building relationships with your child as they grow.
Monitoring Development: As your child is growing, their dental structure can change. Regular checkups allow us to keep you informed on how your child’s teeth and jaw are growing. They also give us the opportunity to intervene early if needed.
Early Detection of Dental Issues: Regularly visiting the team at Brightwork Family Dentistry will help with the detection of issues like cavities and gum disease early, saving your child's discomfort and preventing the issue from growing into something worse.
“Getting started early really goes a long way toward developing a lifelong comfort with receiving dental care,” explains Dr. Crowley.
Why Book Your Children’s Dental Services with Brightwork
Pediatric dentistry is a critical part of your child’s wellness regimen. We offer various pediatric dental services and are here to support you on your journey, answer questions, spend time with your child, make them comfortable in our offices, and help you with any issues as they arise. If your child needs a pediatric dentist in Richmond, VA, contact Brightwork Family Dentistry and schedule a dentist appointment today!