When to Bring Your Children for a Dental Check-Up
Professional and specialty organisations, such as the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) and the American Academy of Paediatric Dentistry (AAPD), recommend that children visit the dentist by 12 months of age because this strategy establishes a
preventive practice for the caregiver that has long-term benefits for the child. Moreover, it may ensure that children remain cavity-free as age is a significant determinant of Early Childhood Caris (ECC).
The consequences of ECC can be challenging for both the child and community. Short-term consequences include failure to thrive, oral infection and pain, altered nutritional status, and cellulitis. Studies have shown that children with ECC have more lost school hours, while advanced forms of ECC often necessitate treatment under general anaesthesia. Long-term effects may include predisposition to caries in both the primary and permanent dentition, malocclusion, and the potential to affect speech and quality of life.
Importance of Dental Visit
According to the AAPD, it is very important to keep primary (or “baby”) teeth in place until they are lost naturally. Primary teeth are important for many reasons, including:
- Helping children chew properly to maintain good nutrition.
- Involvement in speech development.
- Helping save space for permanent teeth.
- Promoting a healthy smile that helps children feel good
about the way they look
Many people do not understand about the importance of their children’s baby teeth to lifelong oral health. There is a continuing
need for more education to teach practices, such as proper techniques for brushing and flossing, that will ensure lifelong oral
health. The first dentist visit is a great opportunity for parents to learn how best to care for their children’s teeth.
Preparing Your Child for Dental Visits
If you begin taking your children to the dentist around the time the first tooth erupts, then they are probably too young to be nervous. However, if you have waited until your child is older (e.g. 2 years old), they may experience some anxiety during their first visit. Here are some of the best ways to prepare your child for his/her first dental visit.
- Give your child a sneak preview – Take your child with you for your next dental check-up. Let him/her see you have your teeth examined and cleaned.
- Teach your child about it – There are lots of books and online resources geared towards teaching children about dental health
and dentist visits. - Play around -Take turns role-playing being a dentist and patient with your child so that they will be familiar with the feel of a dentist examination.
- Timing is everything – Plan ahead so that the dental visit is not rushed. And make sure your child is well-rested before the visit
so that they feel relaxed and comfortable.
With the school holidays in full swing, this is a good time to bring your child for a dental check-up if you have not done so. PRIME