General Dentistry: When Should You Bring Your Child to See a Dentist?

When it comes to general dentistry practices, these offices typically include primary care dental providers. A general dentist focuses on diagnosing dental problems, treating dental issues, and overall oral health care. General dentists may provide gum care, teeth cleaning, root canals, veneers, bridges, and preventative dentistry. However, just as there are dentists that focus on adult dentistry, there are some that focus specifically on treating children. Often, these dentists are better to take a child to because not only are their staff better able to handle a child who may be afraid of the dentist, but they are aware of common dental problems that can develop in childhood. 

How does age affect a child's dental appointments?

Some parents do not recognize the importance of dental care in childhood. Many believe children may not require dental care until their adult teeth begin to erupt. Your children go through various stages of development, and as you focus on age-appropriate health care, you should also concentrate on age-appropriate dental care.

Babies and toddlers

Children should first visit the dentist before they reach one year old. Parents do not always realize babies can have their first cavity as soon as the first tooth erupts. In addition to preventative care, babies become accustomed to the dentist's office and may feel less fear throughout childhood and adulthood.

During the early appointments, general dentists help parents learn to manage thumbsucking and teething. Additionally, parents may learn to manage diet in relation to children's oral health. 

Preschool children

Toddlers develop fast, and when children reach the age of four, they may have various bad oral habits, such as sucking or chewing on fingers or thumbs. Going to the dentist by the age of four helps curb bad habits. According to the CDC, about 20% of children over the age of five have at least one untreated cavity. General dentistry addresses cavities and oral health habits for young children. It is good to start healthy oral hygiene habits young, as these practices will impact the child for the remainder of their life.

Elementary school children

By the time children reach the age of seven, they begin to develop their molars. A dentist can examine a child's mouth and assess the front-to-back and side-to-side relationship of the teeth. If the dentist sees any abnormalities with the child's teeth or oral health, they can develop a plan early to prevent future problems. Dentists do not only examine the visible baby teeth, but they also check beneath the gums. Adults and children should both see dentists about every six months.

Preteen children

From the age of 10 through the teen years, children transition into adulthood. Risks for decay and gum disease may begin to develop during this time. The bacteria in a child's mouth starts to increase during the preteen years, and many of these bacteria can harm the teeth and gums. Children at this age may become more independent and develop poor oral habits or dietary habits that damage teeth. General dentistry emphasizes preventative care that preteens need at this point in their development. Gum disease is one of the more common childhood oral health conditions.

What should I look for in a dentist? 

When you look for a dentist for your child, you should look for most of the same things that you look for in your own dentist. This might include knowledge, understanding, affordability, and reliability. One bad experience at the dentist can put people off from making subsequent appointments and cause young children, in particular, lots of distress.

Because children are more prone to having anxiety or outbursts at the dentist's office, you should look for staff who provide a calming and patient presence for your child. Once you find a good dentist with helpful staff, chances are you have found someone to be an advocate for your child's oral health for as long as you live nearby. 

Conclusion

General dentistry emphasizes preventative care and treatment for a variety of oral health problems. Children of all ages should visit a dentist and should do so regularly, not only to prevent and treat dental problems but to start the habit of going to regularly scheduled appointments. When issues develop, early acknowledgment can prevent the issue from developing into something much worse. Starting children early helps alleviate the anxiety of dental care and can prevent many future problems and discomfort.

Request an appointment here: https://drjosephmurray.com or call J.D. Murray DDS & Associates at (404) 410-2526 for an appointment in our East Point office.

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