Dentistry: It's More Than Drilling and Filling

Children ultimately lose their baby teeth and get a new set of adult teeth between the ages of 6 and 10. As such, it is common for parents to underestimate the importance of caring for those baby teeth. They only need to last 6 years, after all! But here's the thing: even though the baby teeth don't need to last nearly as long as the adult teeth, it's still vital to care for them properly, and that care includes taking your child in for a dental cleaning approximately every 6 months. Here are a few benefits of doing so.

1. Cavities are problematic, even in baby teeth.

Dental cleanings help prevent cavities, which is certainly in your child's best interest. Sure, a cavity in a baby tooth won't stick around for decades like a cavity in an adult tooth. However, a cavity is still problematic in your child's mouth. It will cause them pain, which will interfere with their ability to eat and speak. This can be particularly problematic because kids are still learning to pronounce certain sounds properly when they have their baby teeth. If a cavity gets so bad that the baby tooth falls out prematurely or needs to be removed, the other teeth may shift into its place and make it hard for the adult teeth to erupt in the right spot. 

2. Dental cleanings help care for gums, too.

A significant portion of dental cleaning focuses around removing tartar from the teeth. Tartar is impossible to remove with just a toothbrush. It harbors bacteria that can perpetuate gum disease, and gum disease can cause your child's gums to be sensitive and to bleed easily. Once gum disease arises, it is tough to cure. It's much easier to prevent it by having your child's teeth cleaned every 6 months.

3. Dental cleaning appointments give the dentist a chance to spot other problems.

Another reason to schedule cleaning appointments for your child is that they are not just cleaning appointments. During these appointments, the dentist also performs a checkup. They'll look for cavities, gum disease, and other ailments so that if they do appear, they can be treated promptly.

Kids may not have their permanent teeth yet, but the teeth they do have still require professional cleaning. Find a pediatric dentist in your area, who provides children's dental cleaning services and schedule an appointment. It's the best thing to do for your kids' teeth and gums.