National Children’s Dental Health Month
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, and we would like to highlight our kiddos this month. Did you know that at Elevate Dental, we see children 6 months and up? Dr. Chew and Dr. Kwan have extensive experience working with little ones and are happy to see them. We know you’re busy, and life can get hectic, so our front staff can help arrange for the whole family to be seen together.
Parents often ask us, “When can my child start seeing the dentist?” The American Dental Association recommends that a baby should see the dentist after the eruption of the first tooth, and no later than 1 year of age. It’s important that babies get evaluated early. Although your little one might not have a lot of teeth (or just 2 teeth), it’s important to start good habits at a young age and for parents to get involved in their child’s oral health. We can also answer questions regarding thumb sucking, drooling (get your bib on!), toothbrushing, and more.
Another frequent question we get is, “When does my child start losing his/her teeth?” A child’s tooth usually erupts around 6 months, and will continue to erupt until around 2 years of age. The exfoliation or “shedding” of teeth may start around the age of 6 and will continue till around the age of 12. Rules, it seems are made to be broken! Some kids may lose teeth earlier and/or retain baby teeth for a lot longer. If you have any questions and or concerns, please ask us. We are happy to assist.
A lot of people also seem to be confused about why baby teeth should be taken care of since they fall out. Baby teeth actually have an important function. Baby teeth help the little ones in their developmental process by facilitating speaking, chewing, smiling, and maintain space for the permanent teeth. Early loss of baby teeth can affect how the adult teeth erupt, which may cause crowding, difficulty speaking and in some cases may affect self-esteem.
The best way to ensure your child has a great foundation in their oral health is by frequent visits to the dentists (2x/year) and establishing a dental home early on. At Elevate Dental, we believe that early intervention and detection is important in keeping your child healthy, happy, and smiling for years to come!
Sources: Mouth Healthy – American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
