A Parent’s Guide to Children’s Dental Health: 4 Facts to Know

April 16, 2024

a parent brushing their child's teeth

As a parent, there’s no way you can know everything about your child’s oral development and risk factors to keep an eye out for. However, having trusted experts in your life, like your child’s pediatric dentist in Hinsdale, will allow you to make decisions about their health that you feel confident in. Read on to learn four important facts about children’s dental health and development so you can continue enjoying their precious healthy grin for years to come!

Cavities Are Common—They Can Also Be Prevented!

The chance that your child will get a cavity at some point in their life is high, but that doesn’t mean it’s inevitable. With good at-home hygiene paired with routine professional checkups and cleanings, you can drastically reduce the chance that your child experiences tooth decay. However, if they do develop a cavity, routine checkups will ensure that their pediatric dentist is able to treat it before it has a chance to spread and become even more serious. There’s a good reason why the adage, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” is still used today!

As Soon as Their First Tooth Erupts, Take Them to the Dentist

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that parents bring their children in to visit a pediatric dentist by the time their first tooth erupts. These early visits are just as important for parents as they are for babies, as they’ll teach you how to properly clean their erupting teeth, give you some helpful teething tips, and answer any questions you may have.

Even Without Any Teeth, Oral Hygiene is Important

Dental hygiene doesn’t start whenever teeth erupt. In fact, the best time to start building a healthy oral hygiene routine is from the beginning, as soon as your little one is born! Even though they only have gums, you can use a soft, clean cloth to wipe them down twice a day. This will help clear away bacteria as well as prepare them for getting their teeth brushed whenever they start to erupt.

If They Play Sports, Invest in a Custom Mouthguard

As your child gets older, they’ll begin taking Karate classes and participating in fun sports that allow them to build their hand-eye coordination, responsibility, and learn all about teamwork! Investing in a customized mouthguard will help provide both you and them with peace of mind that their smile will remain safe and sound during each of their sparring matches, games, and events.

About the Practice

At Brush Pediatric Dentistry, our team consists of five compassionate, highly skilled Board-Certified pediatric dentists. They combine their parental instincts with their specialty knowledge to offer their patients highly attentive care, and parents helpful advice and guidance. Trusted by families across Hinsdale and in surrounding communities, our team is the top choice for care when it comes to growing smiles. Schedule an appointment by visiting Brush Pediatric Dentistry’s website or call 630-504-2223.