How pediatric dentistry supports your child’s best start in life
At Piedra Dental Group, Dr. Alejandro Piedra and our Cooper City, Florida team provide complete dentistry for the entire family, from young children to those young at heart. And there is substantial power in embarking on this oral health journey with our pediatric patients.
Why are pediatric visits so important?
When kids visit the dentist’s office early in their lives, tooth-friendly behaviors tend to “stick.” Kids who have known the dentist their whole lives also tend to have a positive relationship with and outlook on dental care. They then carry these good associations with them into adulthood. Such positivity fuels proactive dental care, which further fuels body health and overall wellness.
When should my child first start to visit the dentist?
Leading industry groups like the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend that kids visit the dentist’s office initially by no later than their first birthday. At Piedra Dental Group, we begin seeing kids as early as 5 years old.
What happens during these early visits?
By this time, you should be able to see at least one tooth. If no teeth have erupted by the time of your child’s first appointment, our dental team may evaluate for potential delays in early development. Additionally, such early appointments are great opportunities for our team to become familiar with your family. We play an important role in your child’s healthy development and growth by equipping you with credible information on oral care, nutrition, and other healthy habits. It is vitally important to keep both primary teeth and the surrounding gummy tissue healthy with the right cleaning habits and oral care products.
Why do baby teeth matter when they just fall out?
Primary teeth do not last forever. That’s a fact. But another undeniable fact is that they should fall out “as scheduled.” When baby teeth become damaged due to early childhood decay (caries), they may be lost before their time. This can have a detrimental effect on how the permanent teeth grow. These secondary teeth may erupt at angles or grow crookedly. This means potentially intensive orthodontic and restorative dentistry care later in childhood. With proactive visits, such costly and traumatic complications can be avoided.
How often should my child visit the dentist?
Regardless of age, health status, and habits, all patients should eventually get on a schedule of visiting Piedra Dental Group at least once every six months, or two times per year. These “checkups” present terrific opportunities to track the health of children’s teeth and gums. No such visit is complete without a comprehensive exam and a professional dental cleaning or prophylaxis performed by one of our hygienists. Now, suppose any of your children have a history of oral problems or are at risk of diseases like early childhood caries. In that case, the dentist will likely recommend more frequent visits, on a schedule that is in the best interests of their smile and long-term health.
To request a visit for yourself or your child, call our Cooper City, FL office at (954) 329-0673. We look forward to getting your family on the right, healthy track.
