Healthy Teeth: Why Starting Early is Key

Preventive oral hygiene is critical to defending against tooth decay and a number of other oral health-related issues. Here, our Summerside dentists explain why establishing good dental health care routines early in life is so important for your kid. 

As parents, visiting the dentist for your child may seem like a trip that is best left until your infant has a full set of teeth. However, the Canadian Dental Association recommends that you visit your dentists for an assessment when they begin showing signs of their first tooth or by 12 months of age. 

The initial visit can help your child learn to become comfortable with their dentist and establish a trust relationship. A quick check of their teeth and gums will be done. Subsequent visits should be every six months for child dental care, the same as for adults.

3 Reasons to Bring Your Child to The Dentist Early

1. Build trust. Showing trust in your dentist can teach your child that visits to the dentist are safe and an important step in the prevention and treatment of problems.
2. Check technique. Find out if the teeth cleaning routine at home is working. If spots are being missed, early discovery is key to keeping those teeth healthy!
3. Proactive approach. By visiting the dentist every six months, your dentist can be proactive and catch any developing issues early.

It's important that you understand that your child's primary (or "baby") teeth are at risk of developing early childhood tooth decay as their protect enamel are quite a bit thinner than that of adult (or permanent) teeth. Tooth decay can also be painful, impacting your child's overall health. It can also trigger issues with sleeping, speaking or eating, as well as their ability to focus or learn.

Tips to Encourage Good Dental Care for Your Child

• Begin even before the first tooth appears! Using a clean, damp cloth, wipe your baby’s gums twice a day.
• Replace toothbrushes every few months or when they begin to show signs of wear, such as flattening or bushy bristles.
• Take your child for their first dental visit around 12 months of age.
• Avoid offering bottles prior to naps or bedtime. If you can’t avoid it, try using water instead of milk or juice to avoid decay. Limit time with a bottle to five minutes or less to help prevent the development of orthodontic issues.
• Teach your child to brush for two minutes twice a day.
• Let your child practice brushing by copying you, then finish for them, making sure that all surfaces have been cleaned. Your child will need help with brushing until they’re about 8 years old.
• Bring your child for regular dental visits. Every six months is optimal, but this may vary depending on your dentist.
• At the first sign of a tooth, brush your child’s teeth daily using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a very small amount of fluoride-free toothpaste until they’re old enough to spit it out (typically around 3 years old).

To start your child on a path of good dental health, contact our Summerside dentists to make an appointment.