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Image By Dave Buchwald [CC BY-SA 3.0 ], from Wikimedia Commons
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It's been a while since I saw my dentist for teeth cleaning. My kids also need to go. When we were living with my OFW husband in KSA years ago, we enjoyed dental services with his company's health card. So my kids get to visit a Pediatric dentist regularly.
It is recommended to go to the dentist every six months. As parents, we also need to think about our child's relation with a dentist. It is essential if we want our child to have a lasting smile. I really feel bad whenever I see a little child who already lost her teeth to decay. So, when we came to live here in the Philippines permanently, one of the first things I looked for is a dentist for kids near me.
A child who feels happy going to the dentist would love to see the dentist. The ambiance in the dental clinic has something to do with it. I remember my little kids love to go to the dentist because they get little treats/toys after the dental check up (plus we also let them eat something they like afterward). The dentist is also friendly to children.
Why is it best for kids to see a Pediatric Dentist?
Doctors that treat and maintain children’s teeth are known as Pediatric Dentists. They studied Pediatric Dentistry just so they could specialize in taking care of the oral health of the children right through adolescence.
Children’s teeth go through stages of changes. Babies start with having no teeth. Then, as they grow they have milk teeth. Later, they lose their teeth one by one (sometimes two at the same time) and get their permanent teeth. All through these times, it is important to give utmost dental care.
Baby teeth appear at about the age of 6 months. When children are 6-7 years old, they start losing their milk teeth. Those are replaced by the permanent ones and it is important that they grow in the right way. A good Pediatric Dentist can help with taking care of that and check if there are any problems.
Pediatric Dentists can help your child with
- Teeth cleaning
- Oral evaluation and assessments
- Tooth-colored fillings
- Preventive treatments like sealants, fluoride, and more
- Habit correction appliances
- Space maintainers for permanent teeth
- Interceptive orthodontics
Parents who do not give as much importance to their children's milk teeth would neglect taking them to a dentist. But it is not just necessary but beneficial to start kids early in proper dental care. See below 7 reasons why taking care of your kids milk teeth is important:
- Milk teeth is important for chewing, grinding and biting.
- They help kids develop proper speech habits.
- They develop their jaw muscles and bones.
- It is necessary to ensure there's enough space for permanent teeth to grow.
- Kids feel happy about how they look.
- They serve as a guide for secondary teeth to grow in the right position and for the permanent teeth to grow under the primary teeth.
- Milk teeth can be affected by diseases when not taken care of.
Every child acquires habits that impact the health of their teeth. These are acquired as a result of repetition in the early stages of their life. Some common oral habits among kids include mouth breathing, thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, grinding of teeth, lip biting, and nail biting. They need to be reminded not to do any of such activities to protect their teeth.
Pediatric Dentists can help detect if your child needs special care towards their teeth. This might mean having braces to make their teeth aligned. They tell your kids the bad oral habits that they need to stop or the good ones to keep. Sometimes, your child needs to hear it from an expert to make sure that he/she will always have a healthy smile. So, don't forget to look for a good Pediatric Dentist near you.
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