You want to make sure that you do all that you can to protect your child’s teeth. But what if what you know is not enough? What if there’s a little bit more to the story? You can’t know everything about pediatric dentistry to perfectly protect and nurture your child’s teeth. However, some of the following facts about pediatric dentistry might help you do your job better!

Cavities are common, curable and preventable

Guess what’s the most common disease in children across the country? Teeth cavities! You need not freak out about cavities in your kid’s teeth. They are absolutely curable! Just find the best pediatric dentist near you!

However, there are certain things you can do to prevent cavities in your child’s teeth. Most importantly, keep them away from too much sugar intake. Read more on how you can prevent cavities in your child’s teeth.

Thumb sucking may lead to misaligned teeth

Thumb sucking is a habit that is highly prevalent among kids. Although you might have already told your little one that it’s a bad habit, has it ever occurred to you that this habit could even lead to misaligned teeth?

Baby teeth are fragile and the force exerted on them while they suck on their thumbs frequently leads to misaligned teeth in the future. This would, in turn, require orthodontic treatment in the future.

The concept of a dental home

The American Dental Association (ADA) suggests that you should take your kid to the dentist at a young age and keep going to the same pediatric dentist. This would relieve dental anxiety in the child by a great deal and would make them more comfortable at the dentist. This would facilitate more frequent visits and thus, better oral health!

“The dental home is the ongoing relationship between the dentist and the patient, inclusive of all aspects of oral health care delivered in a comprehensive, continuously accessible, coordinated, and family-centered way. The dental home should be established no later than 12 months of age to help children and their families institute a lifetime of good oral health. A dental home addresses anticipatory guidance and preventive, acute, and comprehensive oral health care and includes referral to dental specialists when appropriate.”

Not every wisdom tooth needs to be removed

If your child is developing a wisdom tooth, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you would have to get it removed. Some wisdom teeth come off aligned and well and cause minimal discomfort.

However, wisdom teeth could be related to poor oral hygiene in the future, which is why you should consult with your trusted pediatric dentist before making a move.

Sealants are important

Sealants are materials that seal the grooves and pits on the molars and premolars. When food particles get stuck in there, it could be difficult to remove them, thereby causing cavities.

Thus, dentists suggest that you get your child dental sealants once they get their permanent molars and premolars to sustain good oral health in the long run.

Your baby’s recent discomfort might be because of teething!

Has your baby been losing a lot of sleep lately? Have they been drooling more than usual? Do they frequently show clear signs of discomfort even when the diapers are dry? That might be because they are teething! When the first teeth erupt, these are some of the most common signs.

As a bonus fact, your child is a quick learner! So, show them how to brush and floss properly and they would pick it up in no time! It is important that until then, you brush your kid’s teeth for a full minute at least, using soft bristles and non-abrasive toothpaste.