For most of your life, you’ve probably only had to worry about your oral health and yours alone. While there’s certainly a lot to learn about when it comes to oral healthcare, you probably have a lot of it down by now.
However, if you’re a new parent, there’s also a lot to learn about your child’s oral health. Children’s dentistry is a field unto itself, and one that can be intimidating if you’re unfamiliar with it. Here are three things you might want to know about this area of dentistry if you’re a parent.
Tooth Decay is the #1 Concern
According to data from the CDC, just over 42% of children between the ages of 2 and 11 will develop at least one cavity. This places tooth decay among the most common conditions a child can face, five times more common than asthma and twenty times more common than diabetes.
As a parent, it’s a good idea to be vigilant about both the causes and signs of tooth decay. Limit your child’s consumption of sweets and have them brush frequently with fluoride toothpaste. If your child tells you that their teeth hurt, it’s a good idea to bring them to a dentist to check for decay.
Candy isn’t the Only Problem
If you’re interested in preventing tooth decay in your child, you’re probably already trying to limit their sugar intake to the occasional indulgence. However, this is far from the only thing that contributes to tooth decay.
In fact, starches and carbs can be just as problematic. Chips and bread are broken down by the saliva into simple sugars, allowing them to feed the bacteria in the mouth.
Even Babies Need Dental Hygiene
One of the tough decisions that patients face when it comes to their child’s oral health is when they need to start brushing, as well as when it’s a good idea for them to visit the dentist’s.
It’s a good idea to keep your child’s mouth clean from birth, wiping your baby’s gums with a wet cloth until their first teeth erupt. Once they get their first teeth, that’s when you’ll need to take your child to the dentist’s and brush their teeth.
About Our Practice
At Goodyear Family Dentistry, we work hard to be here for your family and their oral health. That means offering not only excellent dental care, but doing what we can to make sure that you thoroughly understand how to keep your child’s oral health in the best condition possible. Dentistry is more than just a treatment or two—it’s a lifelong journey, and one that we’ll be happy to be by your side for.
If you have any questions about children’s dentistry in Goodyear, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (623) 925-8208.