The Importance of Regular Dentist Visits for Kids

Dental visits are just as important as annual health checkups during childhood. We love children and work hard to make their visits a calm and pleasant experience. 

Starting kids early will not only ensure healthier teeth, but also make a visit to the dentist a natural occurrence instead of something to fear.

Why Regular Dental Visits for Kids are Important

Healthy teeth help your child to eat without pain. Strong baby teeth also pave the way for healthier adult teeth when they come in. 

Keeping your child pain-free isn’t the only reason to bring them to our office. Each visit provides benefits that improve your child’s overall wellbeing.

Keeping Your Child’s Tooth Enamel Strong

Tooth enamel is susceptible to acids that form when your child eats. Some children are born with thin enamel that is more likely to decay. We offer fluoride treatments that help strengthen the enamel. Dental cleanings are important dental care for kids that help to remove food debris and plaque before it causes cavities.

Preventing Issues From Early Tooth Loss 

Baby teeth are meant to fall out. Until they do, they serve valuable roles. A child’s first set of teeth helps them to practice forming their speech as well as enabling them to chew their food. A child who loses too many teeth may struggle with getting proper nutrition. 

Teaching Your Kids Proper Oral Hygiene Techniques

Learning how to brush teeth properly is a skill that takes time. Flossing is also challenging for many children. Dentists can see the places on teeth that children tend to miss. We point out these areas to your child. 

Then, we’ll show them how to angle their toothbrush to hit those spots. If your child struggles with flossing, then we’ll show them easier ways to do it until they get better fine motor control. 

Identifying a Need for Orthodontic Treatment

Parents often wonder if their children will need braces. Dentists start looking for signs of a misaligned bite early in childhood. Two-phase orthodontic treatment can begin around the time that your child is seven years old. 

Spotting Common Problems With Braces

If your older child already has braces, then we’ll keep an eye out for problems. Dentists are often the first to see stains forming on the teeth. We’ll also watch out for irritation on the soft tissues of the mouth.

Building Confidence for Future Dental Visits

Children benefit from having many positive experiences with their dentists. Dental anxiety often occurs when children go too long between visits. 

Preventing major procedures with simple treatments, such as teeth cleaning, also helps to alleviate fear. Each visit you arrange for your child with us promotes a positive relationship. Feeling comfortable with us as their Tempe dentist makes it more likely they’ll keep up their visits as an adult.

Children are open to new experiences. This makes childhood the ideal time to cultivate a relationship with their dentist. We recommend bringing your child in for a visit as early as possible. For most children, this will be when they get their first tooth. After that, we’ll schedule regular checkups that keep their teeth healthy as they grow.