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We all want what is best for our children. We want them to have a great, pain-free childhood. There is nothing worse than seeing your child suffer. Cavities and other dental problems can be very painful for children. Expert dental care from an experienced dentist can help your child avoid painful cavities.

One of the easiest ways to ensure you are keeping your child free from oral pain is to choose the best dentist in your area. The number one approach to dealing with cavities is to prevent them from happening in the first place. You and your children’s dentist can help your child to grow up cavity-free.

Dispelling the Myth About Cavities

A lot of people believe that cavities are just a part of life. The truth is cavities are 100% preventable. You can help your child get on the path to good oral health and stay on it. The key is to work closely with a dentist that is committed to preventing your child from getting cavities.

Your child should be seeing the dentist about every three to six months starting at the age of one. Preventive measures are critical to keeping cavities away. The best dental care for your child is care that is focused on prevention. Visiting the dentist every three to six months will help you and your child stay ahead of any potential problems. This proactive approach ensures if any little problems do crop up, they can be addressed quickly before they turn into big problems.

Cavities Are Contagious

Most people do not know that cavities are contagious. The bacteria that cause cavities can be passed around the same way other bacteria can be passed around.

Cavities are a bacterial infection. The bacteria stick to the teeth, then feeds on any foods or sugars that are stuck to the teeth, and release acids that eat away at the enamel on the teeth. A recent study found that 30% of the three-month-old infants tested positive for cavity-causing bacteria, 60% of six-month-old babies returned positive results for cavity-causing bacteria, and 80% of the two-year-olds tested were also positive.

Design an Oral Health Lifestyle for Your Child

Preventing cavities for your child should take on the same urgency as protecting them from any other type of infection. You and your dentist can work together to create an oral health lifestyle for your child. The earlier you start the better.

Here are some tips to help your child avoid dental disease:

• Talk to your dentist about a tooth-healthy diet. A diet that is low in sugar is a great place to start. Even fruit juices should be given in moderation. Ask your dentist for other tips about a tooth-healthy diet.
• Brushing and flossing should be supervised until around the age of ten. A common mistake is letting kids take responsibility for their oral health too early on. Brush and floss your child’s teeth until age seven, teach them how to do it, then supervise until they are about ten. Make good oral care a family affair.
• Have the fluoride checked in your water. Most municipal water supplies are treated with fluoride, check to see if your water is. If you use well water, talk to your dentist about options. Use fluoride toothpaste, mouth rinses, and get regular fluoride treatments as part of your child’s dental care.

Giving your child the best start in life when it comes to their oral health is something that they will thank you for someday. If you are searching for a “dentist near me” make sure you choose a dentist like Lowell Dental Arts that can provide expert care for children to get the support you need.

When we think about our teeth, they may be taken for granted. Unless you’re experiencing pain or currently losing teeth, they rarely cross your mind. However, when you have a child, oral health should be at the top of your mind. If you don’t stay on top of it, you’ll surely hear about it soon enough with painful tears. Instead of trying to soothe a child with a bad tooth or oral pain, seek out the best dental care before it becomes a problem. While the thought of dentistry for children seems intimidating, it need not. No matter where you live, there is more than likely a local dentist near you who cares deeply about providing quality care for kids.

In this article, we’ll discuss the best time for your child to see a dentist and why it’s important for them to do so. While it’s unlikely that your child has a cavity this early, it’s still a possibility. Other oral issues could be present as well. If you’re curious about braces, your dentist may even be able to recommend their personal choice for an orthodontist. Because while all orthodontists are trained dentists, only 5% of dentists are also orthodontists.

Early, But Not Too Early…

It has been reported that many American children do not see a dentist until they’re well over two years old. This is a shame because The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children visit the dentist by age one or six months after their first tooth erupts. In this manner, dentistry for children becomes a routine preventative measure rather than a reactive one. Your child may be delayed in having teeth erupt at all, but eventually, you’ll also want to know why that is happening.

Your Child’s Primary Teeth Are Vitally Important

When surveys are done about why children often visit the dentist so late, caregivers often report that “the child doesn’t have enough teeth” or that “they’re too young to understand what’s going on.” But these excuses only detract from children learning about their primary (baby) teeth, which are useful in developing everything from speech development to helping them chew solid food properly. Not to mention, having great teeth will eventually lead to a stellar smile and boosted self-esteem. By getting a child to recognize and interact with their primary teeth, they’ll be well on their way toward good oral habits for life.

Getting Them Used to The Dentist

Taking your child to the dentist early will help them become comfortable with the practice. You’ll want to have your child visit the dentist so that they don’t develop anxiety or fear of the dentist, which will harm their mental and oral health in time. Dentistry for children is usually a wholesome industry that tries to mitigate against this by creating comfortable environments, but as a parent, you are responsible for instilling a sense of calm when they go to the dentist.

Oral Health Is A Habit, Not A Quick Fix

By getting your child to the dentist early and making sure that they understand the importance of taking care of their teeth, you’ll be setting them up for good lifelong habits. Allowing them to have a personal relationship with a dentist will only help this and alleviate any anxiety or misgivings they may have about visiting dental professionals in the future. When you set your child up for success with a good dentist like Lowell Dental Arts, get ready to see a bright smile!

The American Dental Association recommends that everyone visit their dentist at least once a year, but you’ve probably heard your dentist recommend visits every six months. Why are these appointments important?