As a parent, you always have your child’s best interests in mind. To prepare your son or daughter for a successful future, you may teach them to read at a young age, enroll them in sports and extracurricular activities, and have them visit their doctor each year for a physical exam. While these activities keep your child happy and healthy, one practice often overlooked by parents is visiting the dentist.

Although it may not seem like a pressing concern, especially since their baby teeth will fall out anyway, taking your child to a dentist who specializes in pediatric dentistry can have a huge impact on their overall health. 

3 Benefits of Pediatric Dentistry

1. Establish Great Oral Health Habits

The earlier your child learns to care for their oral health, the likelier they are to continue those habits well into adulthood. Dentists recommend kids have their first checkup and teeth cleaning within the first year and every six months after that. During these visits, you and your child will learn proper brushing and flossing techniques suitable for their tiny mouths, as well as diet and health tips to prevent cavities and tooth decay.

2. Identify Areas of Concern Early

One of the most common pediatric dentistry concerns is early onset tooth decay. Many children develop this issue before the age of five due to poor diet and baby-bottle habits, including drinking sugary beverages from a bottle and eating unhealthy foods. Additionally, many parents do not brush their children’s teeth before the age of two or three, which can cause plaque and bacteria to form on the teeth and gums. Visiting a dentist from a young age helps to identify and correct these issues, protecting your child’s long-term oral health.

3. Proper Teeth Cleanings

Even with the most diligent brushing and flossing practices, it is difficult to get the same level of clean at home as you do at the dentist. This is because the tools used during cleanings and checkups are specially designed to reach between the teeth and gums to extract built-up plaque and bacteria. In addition to promoting great dental hygiene, these cleanings keep your little one’s smile clean, healthy, and bright.

For a reliable children’s dentist in Honolulu or Lihue, HI, contact Pediatric Dental Group. These pediatric dentistry experts have been serving Hawaii since 1966 and are well known for their individualized, quality dental care. To schedule an appointment today, call (808) 593-8828 for their Honolulu location or (808) 245-2131 for Lihue. For more information on what to expect during your child’s first visit, check out their website.