Welcome to our dental blog’s inaugural post! This blog will be yet another way for our dental team to stay in touch with our patients. I’ll be using this space to answer questions, explain new dental technologies, and keep you up to date on what’s new here in the office. Check back frequently, and feel free to leave any thoughts or questions in the comment sections!
Today I’m starting off with a discussion regarding the importance of pediatric dentistry. Quality dental care at a young age can lay the foundation for strong and healthy teeth in adolescence and adulthood. However, many parents ask our Glendale family dentists how frequently their children actually need to see dental professional. Since children have primary teeth (also called baby teeth), many parents assume that their children don’t need to see a dentist regularly until they develop permanent teeth.
In reality, it is vitally important for children to see a dentist regularly—for most patients this will mean twice a year. Here are just two of the reasons that kids need access to reliable dental care:
• Healthy Dental Habits
Children who have positive experiences at the dentist’s office are less likely to experience dental anxiety and avoidance later in life. Additionally, a family dentist can help reinforce the importance of daily dental hygiene habits at home—teaching your children the correct way to brush and floss.
• Proper Fluoride Intake
We all know about fluoridated toothpastes, mouthwashes, and even tap water! In general, fluoride helps to strengthen teeth. However, children under the age of 18 months should not use fluoridated products at all. Children under the age of 6 years old should be closely monitored when using fluoride, so that it isn’t ingested. Ingesting large quantities of fluoride can cause fluorosis—a condition in which permanent teeth are stained and pitted. A family dentist can help you monitor your child’s fluoride intake.
An attentive family dentist can help your child avoid a number of dental problems in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Although children do lose their baby teeth, these primary teeth are important for your child’s development—you want to keep them healthy. Our Glendale family dentists are happy to answer your questions about pediatric dentistry, or discuss your family’s situation in more detail. Just give us a call at (818) 334-2974.