Going to the dentist is definitely on the lower rung of destinations when it comes to your kids. How can you get them eager to go while still teaching them necessary life skills?

A dentist for kids isn’t like a dentist for adults. These professionals are very familiar with the common fears that make children nervous whenever they sit down in the dentist’s chair. In fact, these fears can be so prevalent they keep many families from going entirely and putting off vital teeth cleaning, cavity checks and preventative care. Children orthodontics is a resource you should tap into once per year to ensure your child is never without the care they need to feel their best. Learn more about all the ways they can bring out your kid’s best smile below!

Did You Know?

Try these facts on for size before you start searching for a local dentist for kids. A stunning one out of five children in the United States will go without dental care. Although dental health is important throughout every stage of life, children are particularly susceptible to common diseases as they learn how to take care of themselves. This includes cavities, root canals and gum disease, among others. Children with poor oral health are up to three times more likely to miss school because of dental pain. Lastly, cavities are twenty times more common than diabetes and thirty times more common than asthma.

Preventing Cavities

Cavities are painful! They make chewing a huge chore and can even cause your kid to come down with a fever if left unchecked. Thankfully, these nasty little things can be easily avoided with routine brushing and flossing. A recent dental study found over 40% of American children having at least one dental cavity (if not two or three) by the time they reach kindergarten. Cavities are formed when bacteria sits and festers between the teeth, eventually rotting the tooth from the inside out. Brushing and flossing at least once per day (or after every meal) will go a long way in keeping them at bay!

Discouraging Gum Disease

What about gum diseases? You can tell when your child is coming down with gingivitis if their gums are swollen, sore or regularly bleeding every time they brush. Good dental care is strongly suggested to start as soon as your baby’s teeth are visible. A washcloth is gentle enough not to harm your child’s delicate gums while still removing chunks of food. You can move to a tiny toothbrush when they get a little older. A full brushing session should include massaging the gums and scraping off the tongue to get rid of as much excess as possible.

Using Fluoride Varnish

Your child should be seeing pediatric dentist services regularly once they’re one. A teeth cleaning session can catch what a toothbrush or floss misses, keeping away cavities and discouraging the onset of painful gum conditions. Fluoride varnish is a high concentration coating that is painted over the teeth, preventing a third of decay on average on baby teeth. A child younger than two, however, should not use fluoride toothpaste unless specifically instructed by a dentist for kids. Oral hygiene needs to not only be effective, it needs to be as safe as possible so your child can live worry free!

Taking Care Of Sports Injuries

Active children are very familiar with bumps and scrapes. Sometimes, however, an invigorating soccer session can leave them with a missing tooth. The AAPD recently found up to 40% of sports injuries are caused by sports alone, ranging from knocked out teeth to a chipped or loosened tooth. A dentist for kids can comfort your child when they’re embarrassed and in pain, providing them plenty of options to bring back their smile and get them back onto the field. Make sure not to touch the loose tooth! You could end up making the damage worse or affecting the nerve.

Dentistry for kids is your first stop on the way to securing your child’s health well into adulthood. Find a dentist office in your area and schedule a check-up today!