How Important Is Dental Pediatrics for My Child’s Future?

Give your child the advantage of healthy teeth.

A kid giving high five to a dentist.
Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease among American children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 20% of children between the ages of 5 and 11 have at least one untreated cavity.

If you’re a parent or grandparent wondering how to prevent this disease in your own child or grandchild, then you’ve come to the right place. Here, we discuss when to make your child’s first dentist appointment, what you can expect, and why dental pediatrics is so important for your child’s healthy development.

When should I bring my child to the dentist?

The American Dental Association recommends taking your child to the dentist once their first tooth has erupted. Besides helping your child to feel comfortable at the dentist’s office, the visit will inform you as a parent or grandparent on recommended practices to foster pediatric dental health.

Many parents ask why it’s necessary to bring their children to the dentist so early in life. Due to the high incidence of cavities among children, it’s important to keep up dentist visits throughout childhood. The truth is that as soon as teeth come in, they become vulnerable to decay. Regular visits to the dentist are an excellent preventative measure and help instill the importance of proper dental hygiene. That’s why it’s best to start early on: so you can get a head start on taking care of your child’s precious teeth!

Why dental pediatrics?

Special attention should be given to ensuring proper oral health care of infants and children as they grow up. This specialized care is not only tailored to their dental development needs, but also to their unique social and emotional needs. Regular dental visits early on in life also allow the dentist to catch incipient problems in children before they become chronic.

Set your child on a positive trajectory for good oral and overall health. Gum disease, teeth loss, and infection are unpleasant experiences that no one should have to go through. Dental pediatrics plays a key role in introducing oral hygiene practices that will keep your child’s teeth healthy for a lifetime.

Dental Pediatrics at Penn Dental Medicine

Penn Dental Medicine is passionate about providing affordable care to children and families. If you’re looking for a quality dental clinic that won’t break the bank, our office presents the perfect solution for you. As a dental school, we can offer services at lower-than-market value. Even as we teach the next generation of dentists, your child will benefit from the expertise of our experienced dental instructors, as well as the dental technologies that are generally only available to the public at leading dental schools or high-end dental offices.

To schedule an appointment for your child or grandchild with one of our caring pediatric dentists, please call our office today at 215-898-8965.

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We look forward to serving you and your family.