5 Reasons Why Children Need Routine Dental Care

Nearly half of kids and teenagers have untreated or restored cavities in at least one of their teeth. Studies confirm that oral health has a direct link to overall health and well-being. There are numerous reasons not to skip dental visits. From spotting cavities early to setting lifelong healthy habits, let’s break down the reasons routine dental care is non-negotiable for kids.

See Prathima Rasamsetty, DDS, and her Preva Dental team in San Antonio, Texas, to schedule routine dental check-ups and professional teeth cleanings.

Routine dental care basics

Routine dental care for kids at Preva Dental includes oral health evaluations, dental X-rays as needed, professional teeth cleaning, preventive care, and dental treatments for decay, tooth damage, gum problems, and other dental concerns. It’s beneficial for kids to see a dentist at least every six months (more often when necessary).

Reasons to avoid skipping dental visits

The top reasons to ensure children avoid skipping routine dental care include:

1. Cavity prevention

Seeing a dentist is one of the best ways to reduce a child’s risk of cavities and other oral health concerns. Preva Dental offers comprehensive professional teeth cleanings to remove cavity-causing tartar and plaque, as well as fluoride treatments, dental sealants, and other preventive dental solutions. 

1. Long-term cost savings

Early detection of dental health concerns helps reduce the risk of needing significant dental procedures that are often more costly. Routine dental care for kids can save your family time and money in the long run by detecting orthodontic concerns, dental decay, impacted wisdom teeth, tooth damage, or other dental concerns before they progress to more severe problems. 

1. Establishing good habits

Seeing a dentist twice a year helps your children establish exceptional oral health habits that can last a lifetime. They become used to and more comfortable during dental visits, and receive guidance about taking good care of their teeth at home between check-ups. 

1. Orthodontic issue detection

If your child has a misaligned bite (overbite, underbite, crossbite, etc.) or other issues that require orthodontic care, Dr. Rasamsetty identifies these concerns and provides a referral. Many orthodontic problems are easier to treat when started during childhood.

1. Dental health education

You can ask questions about any pediatric oral health concerns during childhood dental visits. Dr. Rasamsetty provides dental health education, describing the best toothbrush, toothpaste, brushing methods, and general oral health habits to use with your children to maximize their outcomes and reduce the risk of dental problems. 

Signs of a dental problem

Signs of dental concerns to watch for in kids include:

• Tooth pain
• Jaw soreness
• Facial swelling
• Hot and cold sensitivity
• Tooth discoloration
• Chip, crack, or break in your child’s tooth
• Knocked-out tooth and other dental emergencies
• Red, pus-filled, or bleeding gums
• Bad breath
• Misaligned bite
• Tooth shifting

If you’re unsure if you should schedule a dental appointment for your child, the friendly Preva Dental specialists are happy to help. 

When to schedule routine dental care for kids

Dr. Rasamsetty determines routine dental care for your child or teenager. Every six months is often best, but sometimes more frequent visits are needed for kids with numerous cavities or other oral health problems. Your child’s first dental visit should typically occur within six months of their first tooth erupting or by 12 months of age.

Schedule routine dental care for your child by contacting us at Preva Dental. Call our office or request an appointment online today.