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By the time your little one has a full set of baby teeth, you’ll likely begin to wonder when you should start taking them to the dentist. It’s important to learn when your baby needs to go to a children’s dentist as to prevent future problems. Here’s what you should know.

Start Preventative Care Early

According to the CDC, most children will develop at least one cavity in their baby teeth by the age of eight. That is why it is critical to start preventative care early. A children’s dentist can see cavities before they form via X-rays. This gives both you and the dentist time to prevent any cavities from fully forming.

It’s recommended to take your baby to a dentist as soon as they start to develop teeth. For most children, this is around six months old. A children’s dentist will keep an eye on your child’s teeth as they come in to minimize problems and ensure that their development is on track.

Take Your Child If You Notice a Problem

Children can experience dental problems even before the age of three. Baby bottle tooth decay is a common problem that results from children going to bed with a bottle or sippy cup. This is often caught early on as children begin to develop cavities in their front teeth. Taking your child to see a children’s dentist can help you learn how to address problems like baby bottle tooth decay and early cavities.

Schedule a Visit to Address Concerns

Any time you’re concerned about your little one’s teeth, it’s important to speak with a children’s dentist. For example, if you notice your little one crying when you brush their teeth, you should talk to their dentist. This could be due to them not liking the toothpaste, because your toddler is striving for independence, or it could be a sign that your little one is in pain and needs dental care. It’s always better to schedule an appointment to discover that there is nothing wrong than to avoid scheduling an appointment and there is a problem.

Early dental care can improve your child’s overall health and well-being in the future. For more questions or to schedule your first dentist appointment, give the friendly team at Lowell Dental Arts a call, today.

Plenty of people have a hard time with proper oral care, and it’s not because of a lack of effort. It’s more because there is an issue with education about oral health. For example, cavities aren’t inevitable, but at least 90% of adults 20 and older have had one or more cavities according to the CDC. Fortunately, there are things that you can do to improve your oral health and prevent issues like cavities, general tooth decay, and gum disease.

Five easy ways to improve your oral health.

1. Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Going to the dentist may seem like a chore, but it’s ultimately very important. Plus, you’ll probably end up spending less money if you simply visit the dentist regularly, as opposed to having your tooth damage repaired later. A dentist will examine your teeth, ensure that your teeth and mouth are healthy, and have a dental hygienist clean your teeth. All of this will help them catch common issues early and prevent others from occurring.

2. Brush After Every Meal

While most Americans brush their teeth twice a day, you could really benefit from brushing your teeth after every meal, or even after every snack.

3. Floss Every Day

You should be flossing daily, ideally after every meal. Flossing is in many ways just as important as brushing your teeth. This is because food gets stuck between your teeth in places simply brushing can’t reach, which can cause cavities and gum disease. While brushing your teeth is effective and essential, flossing ensures that they’re truly taken care of.

4. Consider Your Diet

Some foods are simply better for your oral health than others. You may want to avoid acidic drinks like wine, as well as sticky and sugary foods.
Ultimately, dental care is important to ensuring that your oral health is at its best.

5. Utilize Dental Treatments

Your dentist can offer a variety of extra treatments to prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and much more. For example, you may have the option of a fluoride treatment. This will strengthen your teeth and help prevent decay. Sealants can also be applied to your teeth to further ensure that oral health is preserved. Usually, sealants are applied to your back molars.

Contact the friendly team at Lowell Dental Arts to learn more or to schedule your appointment, today!

We’ve known that oral health is an essential aspect of our overall general health for a long time. In the early 1980s, U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop coined the phrase, “You’re not healthy without good oral health.” Yet, 34 million school hours are lost every year due to unexpected (emergency) dental treatments, losing approximately $45 billion in productivity due to poor oral care.

The Connection Between Oral Health and Our Overall Health

Our oral health vastly influences our overall health. Think of your body as a machine. Like any machine, if one part goes down, the rest falters. Plus, our mouths are filled with nasty bacteria. Good oral care and our body’s immune defenses keep these ugly bacteria at bay. Poor oral health can lead to tooth decay and gum inflammation. Gum inflammation, on and off, is followed by plaque buildup. That buildup weakens our body’s defenses allowing some of those harmful bacteria to slip into our bloodstream, causing illness elsewhere in the body. There are several conditions you might not know are connected to poor oral care. They are:

• Heart Disease/Stroke – In some cases, gum disease may be linked to the overgrowth of bacteria in the mouth (gingivitis). This inflammation may lead to plaque buildup in the arteries, increasing the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes.
• Respiratory Disease: Bad oral hygiene can lead bacteria to go into the lungs and create plaque buildup. As a result, your lungs stiffen, and you become more susceptible to respiratory infections.
• Dementia: Swollen gums tend to emit a chemical that affects the brain. This chemical can kill brain cells, which, may cause memory loss. Worse, it has the potential to cause Alzheimer’s disease.
• Improper diet: If a child does not eat properly, they may lack the nutrients necessary for a healthy mouth. Oral disease leads to difficulty chewing and to a diet that lacks proper nutrition.

Poor oral healthcare can hinder a child’s school performance and speech. That is why dentistry for children is so important.

Keeping your child’s teeth and gums healthy prevents further health complications in your child. So, it’s essential to get your child’s dental check-ups at least twice per year. Your child’s oral health affects their overall health. Boost your child’s emotional, physical, and mental health by ensuring that their oral health is in good oral standing.