Regular visits to the dentist can help kids get the best smile possible, but nearly half of all children in the United States do not get yearly exams or check-ups. This means about 32 million children are at increased risk of undiagnosed and untreated dental problems. Routine pediatric dental checkups from your Columbus pediatric dentist can help prevent many dental problems, and can lead to early treatment for others.
Almost all dental problems are easier, less expensive, and more responsive to treatment when detected and treated early. Treating a small cavity is less expensive than treating a larger one, for example, and it can be easier to address crowded teeth in a child than to use braces to straighten their teeth when they are older. A pediatric dentist can take the time during a routine checkup to spot problems in their earliest stages and take action before small problems become big ones.
Tooth decay, also known as dental caries, is the most common chronic disease in both children and adults. Left untreated, tooth decay can lead to pain, infections, and other problems.
During your child’s visit, Dr. Hines looks for signs of tooth decay. She and the dedicated team here at Hines Little Smiles may also apply fluoride to help strengthen tooth enamel and make it more resistant to decay. They can also show children how to brush and floss correctly to help reduce the risk of decay.
Regular dental checkups can help prevent certain bad habits, such as nail-biting, teeth grinding, and tongue thrusting – all of which can have immediate and long-lasting effects. Nail-biting can cause teeth to chip, break, or move; it can also splinter tooth enamel or damage/infect gum tissue. Teeth grinding, which is common in kids, can wear down teeth and cause headaches or tooth pain. Tongue thrusting can lead to misaligned teeth, which may lead to the need for braces down the road.
A dentist can detect these habits during a regular exam, and suggest ways to curb these habits before they cause even more serious dental issues.
Believe it or not, baby teeth are important. For many years of a child’s life, for example, baby teeth do the heavy lifting of biting and chewing. Baby teeth also make a child’s smile look great and help the child speak clearly.
Known as primary teeth, baby teeth also serve as “placeholders.” The permanent teeth, or adult teeth, push against the baby teeth. The pressure causes the root of the primary teeth to dissolve away and create a path for the permanent tooth to “erupt,” or push through the gum. Without the primary tooth, the permanent tooth may erupt in the wrong place in the jaw or come in crooked. If the baby teeth don’t fall out at the right time, the child might develop “shark teeth,” which is when the permanent teeth come in behind the baby teeth to create two rows of teeth.
Clean, straight teeth look great! During regular dental checkups, a dentist looks for uneven teeth, discolored tooth enamel, and other cosmetic issues. The dentist can then suggest various treatments to resolve the issues and restore the cosmetic appeal of a child’s smile.
Dental anxiety can prevent adults from getting the dental care they need for a healthy, attractive smile – and dental anxiety often starts in childhood. An early introduction to pediatric dentistry can help a child develop a positive attitude about getting dental care.
During a routine visit, dentists can also teach kids and their parents about oral health, good oral hygiene, and how to spot and treat basic dental issues. Patient education helps families take control over their oral health and save money.
Healthy teeth and gums during childhood lays the foundation for good oral health throughout a lifetime. For more information about the importance of regular dental checkups for children, consult with Hines Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry. We offer preventative dental visits and dental checkups to help keep your child’s smile bright and healthy.
Call 614-475-5439 or request an appointment online to set up your first visit. We’ll be in touch soon.
