Your child’s smile begins developing long before you see their first tooth peek through the gums! From infancy through adolescence, each stage of dental growth plays an important role in your child’s overall health, comfort, and confidence. Understanding what’s happening inside your child’s mouth can help you support healthy habits and keep things right on track for years to come. Here’s what you need to know.
1. Baby Teeth Are Incredibly Important
Even though they’re destined to fall out, the baby teeth still serve an important role in your child’s dental development since they help save space for permanent teeth; they’re also essential for oral health. You should strive to help your child’s baby teeth stay as problem-free as possible by encouraging at-home oral hygiene each day, on top of taking them to the dentist every six months.
2. Sugar Isn’t the Only Source of Cavities
Sugar indeed is one of the leading causes of cavities; these particles become broken down into acids that attack and weaken the enamel. However, it isn’t just sugar that causes this; starches can do just as much damage, especially if combined with poor oral hygiene habits. While you’ll want to ensure your child isn’t consuming too much sugar, be sure they’re making other sensible choices when it comes to what they eat.
3. Preventive Care Needs to Start Early
Did you know that children should actually begin seeing the dentist by their first birthday, even though they won’t have all their teeth yet? It’s crucial that your child’s dentist starts keeping tabs on their smile early on. By scoping out hidden issues early on, they’re far less likely to encounter setbacks or costly problems as their teeth begin erupting and they start using them daily.
4. Fluoride Greatly Benefits Kids’ Teeth
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in many drinking water sources, as well as most oral hygiene products. It benefits teeth by remineralizing their enamel, or outermost layer. Kids naturally have thinner enamel than adults, meaning that fluoride is extra beneficial for their pearly whites. During a routine dental checkup, your child’s dentist can apply fluoride to their teeth after they’ve been cleaned to serve as an added layer of cavity-protection between visits.
While this might seem like a lot to keep track of, especially as your child grows and things change, know that you’re also not alone in this endeavor. Your child’s dentist is there to help guide you and ensure that you’re doing things the right way!
About the Practice
Here at Bloom Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Josephine Yip (Dr. JoJo), Dr. Nelson Hui (Dr. Nelson), and our whole team are here to serve your child’s smile. We offer a wide range of pediatric services for children of all ages, including routine checkups and cleanings to keep their teeth and gums healthy and strong. If you have any questions about the blog or need to schedule an appointment for your child, you can reach out online or by phone for more information or assistance. Telephone: (469) 972-0054.