You do all you can to teach your child good hygiene practices at home. Yet, how do you know when it’s time for your child to visit the dentist for professional care and attention? The good news is that it’s not as hard to determine as you might imagine. In fact, children over the age of three should attend regular visits just like you – usually, at least twice a year. They should also visit our El Paso, TX, dental office for issues such as toothaches, discomfort in their oral structures, or more.
Routine visits, like yours
In their early years, children don’t need to visit their dentist because their teeth haven’t erupted yet. After the first one does, or shortly before the first birthday, you should bring your child in for an initial introductory visit. You can also bring your children with you to your own regularly scheduled checkup and cleaning appointments so that the visits become routine for them, as well. After the age of three, your child should begin a regular schedule of checkup and cleaning appointments, which will allow the dentist to keep track of any changes that could indicate trouble down the road.
Preventive and other treatments
Part of a routine checkup and cleaning appointment is thoroughly cleaning your child’s teeth of harmful plaque and tartar. That’s especially important in the early years, when children are still becoming accustomed to brushing and flossing their teeth every day. The other part is a thorough examination of your child’s teeth, gums, jawbone, and oral structures to ensure that there are no problems developing. If there is an issue present, then the examination will serve as a foundation for developing a customized treatment plan to address it. That may include additional preventive measures, such as fluoride treatments and dental sealants, or conservative restorations like a tooth filling to address a cavity.
A few tips for between visits
While routine visits are always important to attend, you can limit how often your child has to visit the dentist for additional treatments by making good hygiene and preventive care important at home. For example, harmful plaque has less of a chance of leading to cavities if you ensure that your children brush and floss their teeth every day. You can also reduce those risks by limiting how often your child snacks throughout the day and avoiding sugary, highly acidic juices and soft drinks. Lead by example by eating healthier, also, and sticking to a strict schedule of good dental hygiene.
Schedule your child’s next dental visit
The best time for your child to visit is every time the dentist schedules a routine checkup and cleaning, or whenever your child has an issue that needs immediate attention. To learn more, schedule a consultation by calling the Sunny Smiles dental office nearest you in El Paso, TX, today! We have offices in the East, Northeast, and Westside of El Paso so we can easily serve patients throughout all surrounding communities.