DID YOU KNOW THAT UP TO 40% of children have tooth decay before they even enter kindergarten? What’s so distressing about this news is that tooth decay is 100% preventable. All it takes is proper brushing and flossing, and regular dental check-ups.
Here are four really good reasons to keep up with your child’s regular dental checkups:
#1: Save Your Child’s Smile
Catching tooth decay early can save your child’s teeth. And despite popular assumptions, baby teeth are essential to your child’s health! Compromised baby teeth can make a healthy diet more difficult, shift your child’s tooth alignment, and distract him with pain and discomfort.
#2: Establish Positive Patterns Early On
When children are young, they can either have a positive pattern of preventative care established, OR they can get stuck in the cycle of dental dread. We see this happen when children are only brought to the dentist with painful problems, leaving them to always associate the dentist with fear…an association that carries on into adulthood. With regular preventative appointments, your child can be comfortable in our dental office, and learn all about caring for their teeth at home, too.
#3: Protect Overall Health
Many parents and children need to be educated about the link between oral and overall health. Good dental care can protect your child’s total health throughout their lifetime. In a study conducted at the University of California, Berkley, it was found that women who get regular dental care cut their risk of heart disease by a third. And in another study by Aetna, researchers learned that people who had regular dental care had lower healthcare cost burdens—thanks to prevention and early detection.
Help Us Make A Difference For Children
As a valued member of our dental family, you know how important it is to have good dental care for your child. Do you know someone who could benefit from this information? Some of those 40% of children unnecessarily suffering from tooth decay? We invite you to share this blog post, and share our practice. Remember, if you ever have any questions for our team, feel free to ask.