Dentist and Skin Care Blog from Boston's Area Leading Dental Office

You may not pay much attention to your child’s dental hygiene in the early years for several reasons: he doesn’t have teeth yet, she doesn’t eat candy or drink soda yet, and so on. Here’s a shocking fact to absorb: the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry estimates that between 40 and 50 percent of children will experience some level of tooth decay before they enter kindergarten. Maybe hearing this news will prompt you to schedule that first dental appointment at the sign of your child’s first tooth so a dentist can make sure they are developmentally on track.

The Impact of Early Dental Problems

Like adults, bacteria grows in your child’s mouth and can progress into decay even before the first tooth erupts. Decay leads to cavities, and in severe cases of decay, abscesses and infection, your child could lose his baby teeth prematurely. From there, the effects are like a snowball quickly gathering speed. The gaps in your child’s mouth that are not yet supposed to be there can cause shifting of the other teeth, creating the future need for orthodontics, including space maintainers, braces and other appliances.

Head off future problems by practicing good dental hygiene – wipe your baby’s gums after each feeding with a soft cloth, and teach your child how to brush at a young age.  And then make sure he brushes every day. Even the best students sometimes run into trouble, but the good news is that consistent professional dental care can prevent future health issues. Routine cleanings, yearly x-rays and preventive treatments such as sealants can keep your child’s mouth healthy and pain-free. A healthy mouth leads to a happy kid, and in turn, happy parents.