As apparent as it may sound, a dental home is vitally important to the well-being of children.

What is a dental home, you may ask? It is as obvious as it sounds, yet more uncommon than it seems.

A dental home is an ONGOING relationship between the dentist and the patient–in this case–the child and parents.

It includes ALL aspects of oral health care. This is achieved COMPREHENSIVELY, and CONTINUOUSLY. It is accomplished utilizing all means that are accessible and coordinated in a family-centered way.  For example, a child that is born into a home that focuses on oral wellness allows for a growing, healthy environment. Read more

The sooner children begin getting regular dental checkups, the healthier their mouths will stay throughout their lives. Early checkups help prevent cavities and tooth decay, which can lead to pain, trouble concentrating and other medical issues. Youngsters with healthy teeth chew food easily, learn to speak clearly and smile with confidence.

The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics say that every child should visit a dentist by age 1 – or as soon as the first tooth appears. This “well baby visit” teaches parents and caregivers how to care for their children’s teeth and help them remain cavity-free.

For example, pediatric dentists see many young patients with cavities that came from falling asleep with a bottle of milk or juice. The dentist can tell the parent or caregiver:

Dietary instructions to prevent cavities at a very young age.

Dentists also encourage mothers to stop on-demand nighttime breastfeeding, after the child’s first teeth come through.

Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease among children in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than 40 percent of children have decay by the time they reach kindergarten.

Joel Berg, D.D.S., M.S., Dean of the University of Washington Pediatric Dental Clinic and spokesman of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry says, “It’s just as important to take babies, toddlers, and older children to the dentist for preventive care as it is to take them to the pediatrician.”

Dental care is medically necessary to prevent and eliminate diseases of the mouth, infection, and pain for children. In doing so the pediatric dentist can restore the form and function of the dentition, and to correct facial disfiguration or dysfunction. Read more

By consulting with your dentist, you are able to receive instruction to prevent future dental problems. We are able to discuss the early care of teeth and gums. We discuss dietary as well as hygiene habits that will allow a child to ENJOY going to the dentist on a regular basis. By using positive words when referring to the dentist and avoiding fearful discussion, a child is more likely to eagerly begin visits at the dentist and sustain a positive attitude.

Our office primarily focuses on prevention. In some cases, however, even infants require restorative treatment. The chance of problems is lessened by visiting with us by the time the first tooth erupts–around 6 months of age–and no later than age one.

Focusing on a DENTAL HOME is vitally important to the development of children. A healthy mouth allows a child to focus on learning at school and consequently enjoy life more fully. Parents, consequently, receive the same benefits!!

_________________________________________________________________________________

Excerpts from parent’s magazine article. Read full article.