Dental health is the first line of defense for overall wellness. You need healthy teeth to chew with before you can digest a morsel of food. Caring for your child's dental health is a cornerstone for managing their health as a whole. Pediatric dental visits are worth their weight in gold when it comes to managing your child's oral health. Keep reading to learn more about pediatric dental exams so that you can take the first steps.
What makes pediatric dental exams so essential?
Pediatric dental exams are proactive and preventative, which is the best approach to take for your child's oral health. According to studies, 13.2% of kids 5 and up have cavities that haven't been diagnosed or treated. These cavities eventually turn into infections and decay, which comes with pain and expensive dental procedures.
You can lower the likelihood of these sorts of issues one pediatric dental exam at a time. During the exam, the dentist will check for cavities and infections, thoroughly clean your child's teeth with medical-grade products, and assess how your child's teeth are growing in. Make sure to book one to two pediatric dental exams per year to keep their oral health on track.
How can you find a dentist and book a pediatric exam?
Look into your local American Dental Association (ADA), American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), and state dental board to see which pediatric dentists are available in your area. Check with your dental insurance network if you have a policy, and if you don't, make sure to ask about out-of-pocket costs upfront.
A typical dental office visit will usually cost you between about $50 and $350 or so. Take notes from the visit and ask your dentist to clearly explain any issues.
What should you do following the dental exam?
Double down on the pediatric dental exams by enforcing oral health decisions in your household. Shop at the grocery store as much as possible, and avoid eating out or snacking. These sorts of foods are high in sugar and are highly addictive.
Your child is more likely to manage their oral health if these foods are considered treats and not part of everyday life. Taking in too much sugar also leads to chronic high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. Teach them the correct way to brush and floss and check behind them so that you enforce the habit.
Use these tips and reach out to a pediatric dentist that can set a strong foundation.
Share8 November 2021
Do you have a different doctor from your spouse? Does your child see a pediatrician? Most families have different medical health providers for different members of the family. This makes sense in most cases, but did you know that you can find a dentist who will treat every person in the family from a baby to a senior? I'm a manager or a family dentist, and in this blog you will learn why a family dentist is a great idea. I will tell you the many advantages of taking every family member to the same dentist, and I will give you tips of finding the right dental office for your family.