As soon as your child gets their first set of teeth, you should schedule them for regular dental appointments.

Because children today are exposed to cavities from a very young age. That’s why regular dental check-ups — coupled with good oral hygiene habits taught at home — are key to preventing dental problems in the long run.

And if you haven’t had the time to prepare your child for their first dentist visit, here’s why you should do it as soon as possible. Research shows that children with healthy teeth are happier overall, more socially active, and perform better in school. 

Keep reading ahead to discover why you should start taking your children for early dental check-ups.

They Help Avoid Cavities and Tooth Decay

When it comes to dental care, prevention is always better than cure. Generally, children are more susceptible to developing cavities than adults due to a couple of reasons. 

For starters, the outer layer of milk teeth is thinner than adult teeth. Plus, children are less likely to follow optimal oral hygiene habits, i.e brushing and flossing daily. 

Visiting a dentist early on will help your child avoid cavities, tooth decay, and other common dental problems until permanent teeth erupt. Not to mention that it will also keep any existing tooth decay from getting worse. Because trust us, you don’t want to subject your child to the inconceivable pain that accompanies cavities, especially so early on in their lives. 

They Instil Good Oral Hygiene Habits in Your Children

Going to the dentist at an early age helps instill healthy dental habits in your children. Research shows that a child who is taken for early dental checkups is more likely to develop a good attitude towards oral hygiene.

Your dentist will educate and inform your child about the importance of following a good oral hygiene regimen. And since it’s going to be coming from a dentist, your child will be more likely to stick to the advice and adopt good oral habits for the rest of their lives.

They Help Your Child Become Comfortable Visiting a Dental Clinic

You’ll be surprised to know how prevalent dental anxiety is in children. And why not? The noise coming from dental tools and the particular smell present in a doctor’s office will make a grown man anxious, let alone children. 

And the only way to overcome this is to ensure your child visits a dental clinic from an early age, so he can be comfortable and feel safe in the presence of a dentist. 

So make sure you visit your family dentist at least twice a year. And since a dental phobia is also pretty common in adults, early dental checkups will also make it easier for your children to deal with their dental problems as they grow up.

They Ensure that Your Child’s Teeth are Perfectly Aligned

Another important reason why dentists recommend early dental checkups for your children is to avoid the use of braces in the long run. 

Your dentist will carry out an extensive evaluation to check if your child’s teeth are crooked, missing, or orthodontically problematic. This will help them detect and treat any misalignment early on. Doing so will either prepare your child for the use of braces or prevent it altogether. 

And that’s not all. Regular dental checkups will also help your dentist identify any fluoride deficiency in your children’s teeth. They can then take immediate action to ensure a proper fluoride intake, which will avoid fluoride deficient tooth decay. 

So if you have been putting off taking your children for their routine dental check-ups, now’s the time to get them scheduled. 

In addition to helping prevent dental issues in your children, regular dental check-ups are also an excellent way to get them motivated about keeping their teeth clean and healthy.

Also, you should keep in mind that dental care is one area where procrastination has a price. And that price is money. The more you delay your child’s dental visits, the more you’ll eventually end up paying to fix their dental issues later on. 

Pro Tip: Look for a dental clinic that offers comprehensive dental care, including professional teeth cleaning, fluoride therapy, and sealant treatment. This will provide your child with the best chance of developing an overall healthy and strong set of teeth.