3 Tips About Early Visits With Your Child's Pediatric Dentist
Posted on: 12 April 2016
As a new parent or the parent of a young child, it is not always easy to know when and why they should see the dentist during their first few years. While there are recommendations for the timing of specific dental visits, there are also symptoms of dental problems that every parent should be on the look for. Knowing the difference between teething and an actual dental problem is important knowledge, especially when your child is pre-verbal.
#1-Your Child's First Visit With A Pediatric Dentist Should Be Prior To Their First Birthday...With Some Exceptions
A good rule of thumb is that your son or daughter should be seen by their dentist by the time they get to blow out the candle on their first birthday cake. However, there are exceptions to that rule and you should also remember that your little one should have their first dental visit soon after their first tooth makes its appearance.
It is common for your baby to start teething anytime after they are three months old and for three to five days of fussing, discomfort and drooling to occur before a new tooth pops through. By their third birthday, your toddler will usually have 20 baby teeth. However, if your baby's teething lasts much longer than five days or their teething pain is not helped with an over-the-counter children's pain remedy, you should schedule a visit with a pediatric dentist to rule out an underlying problem.
#2-Always Schedule An Immediate Visit With Your Child's Pediatric Dentist If They Lose A Baby Tooth Too Soon
One common misconception is that a child's baby teeth do not serve much of a purpose. That has led many parents to delay seeing a dentist when an injury results in a young child losing one of their primary teeth. Unfortunately, that can eventually lead to speech delays and difficulty chewing challenges, since the baby teeth are responsible for the normal functioning of both. In addition, when a baby tooth is not in its appropriate place, there can be difficulties with the adult teeth coming in.
#3-Know What The Pediatric Dentist Can Do When A Tooth Has Been Knocked Out
Instead, you should schedule an immediate visit with the pediatric dentist if your child loses a primary tooth too early. Quick intervention can maintain the strength and integrity of your child's smile. The use of a space maintainer is sometimes necessary to maintain the space that a baby tooth normally would. There is also the possibility that a small part of the damaged tooth or its root remained in the gum, naked to the visible eye, but is capable of causing pain or eventual infection.
In conclusion, knowing when your young child needs to see the dentist and how to determine when a problem has occurred is essential. Therefore, the above information will be crucial to remember during the first years of your child's life. Contact a company like Suncoast Dental Center for more information.
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