Top 7 Reasons Regular Dental Check-Ups Are a Must for Kids

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently reported that tooth decay is the most common chronic disease affecting children in the United States. In fact, by the time children begin kindergarten, almost 40% have some type of tooth decay. Just because your child's teeth look and feel okay, it doesn't mean they are okay.

To help prevent chronic problems like these and maintain a healthy smile, it's recommended that children have regular dental exams beginning at the age of two, or even sooner if they've experienced pain or previous issues. Unfortunately, nearly half of the children in the United States don't see a dentist regularly. Whether the reason is money or something else entirely, it's important that parents are aware of why it's important your child sees a dentist regularly.

If you're struggling with the idea, look at it this way: Most parents would never dream of missing an immunization appointment or a routine check-up with the pediatrician - dental care is no different. Here are the top seven reasons that a regular dental check up is a must for your children:

Catch serious problems early on - It's suggested that children visit the dentist every six months for an exam or cleaning. During this time, the dentist will carefully inspect each tooth and do a thorough cleaning. Your child will also be checked for cavities, treated with fluoride, and possibly be x-rayed. If the dentist detects even the slightest problem, he can take care of it early on, rather than letting it develop into a more serious issue down the road. Many times, serious conditions begin as a small problem that could have been prevented if it was caught early enough.

Prevent a lifetime of dental problems - If your child doesn't see a dentist regularly, many problems could occur that could last a lifetime. Cavities are a common issue that can usually be caught with a routine exam - if they're not treated, they could eventually cause the entire tooth to rot, which causes not only pain, but the possibility of losing the tooth entirely. Other issues that can normally be caught early on are periodontitis and gingivitis.

Determine your child's fluoride needs - After the age of two, most children get enough fluoride needed to prevent cavities simply by drinking water that contains it and brushing with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Dentists will be able to detect if your child isn't getting enough fluoride and can recommend a supplement that will help prevent cavities.

Detect issues with baby teeth - Baby teeth are a guide for the placement of permanent teeth. A decayed or missing baby tooth can result in crooked or misaligned permanent teeth, which can lead to a host of problems including difficulty chewing, the inability to maintain proper dental hygiene, and premature tooth loss. More severely, it can interfere with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull, causing much discomfort as an adult. Catching these problems early will help ensure they don't escalate into something more severe down the road.

Treat pain early on - Sensitive teeth is a common problem that affects children and adults alike. Teeth expand and contract as the temperature changes, so many times, consuming hot and cold food and beverages can cause much pain - which can often go undetected. If preventive measures aren't taken early, it can wear down the tooth enamel, making the gums recede or cause cracks in the tooth which will expose the interior and irritate nerve endings. Over time, even breathing in cold air can be very uncomfortable if the patient's sensitive teeth aren't discovered right away.

Use sealants as preventive dental care at an early age - After doing a comprehensive dental exam, your dentist may recommend using a sealant as a preventive dental care. Even though sealants can be used in adults, it's ideal to get them as a child. The reason is this: Children's teeth have grooves and depressions that make it harder to properly clean them by brushing alone. Using sealants will protect these small areas and prevent plaque from forming. After applied, these will always be checked at regular dental exams to make sure they're in good condition. Most are known to last about 10 years.

Discover non-dental conditions - Surprisingly, many non-dental conditions begin with symptoms that appear in the mouth. Having a regular exam can help reveal more issues like vitamin and iron deficiencies, or more serious things conditions like diabetes.

Each of the above factors are important reasons for your children to visit the dentist regularly. Remember, having regular visits throughout childhood can help prevent serious problems down the road.

Bobby Milton has worked in the dental industry for over 20 years. Finding the right Austin dental practice and cosmetic dentist is important for a successful outcome.