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As kids enter early childhood, their worlds begin to open up. Preschool kids want more independence, exploration, and all the answers to what seems like endless questions. Still, what can parents do to optimize their preschooler’s oral health? Dr. Heba Rashed and her kids dental team have extensive training for handling the emotional, social, and wellness needs of preschoolers aged 3 to 5 years.
During this tender age, one common question we get from parents is, “If baby teeth are going to fall out eventually, why are they so important?” By this time, your child should have all of their baby teeth.
Although small, baby teeth are mighty! Primary (baby) teeth play an important role in facial development, speech, and the eruption of adult teeth. Because baby teeth are vital, we strongly suggest taking care of them as well as possible. Here are some common subjects that we’ll go over at your preschooler’s next kids dentistry appointment:
As preschoolers gain more self-sufficiency, they must be mindful of their diet and oral hygiene habits. While it might seem like your preschooler is a bottomless pit for snacks, keep an eye on what they are eating and drinking.
If your child has a sweet tooth, they might reach for candy, juice, and other sticky, sugary treats. While these are ok in moderation, too many (and not effectively cleaning the teeth) can lead to dental decay. Ensure that your preschoolers make wise choices and that you assist them with gently flossing and brushing their teeth twice a day.
Does your child still suck their thumb or use a pacifier? Although this is a standard (and sometimes even healthy) behavior in infants, holding onto sucking habits after two years of age is problematic. Prolonged thumb sucking and pacifier use can lead to flared teeth, bite problems, and narrow dental arches.
Not only can this eventually become uncomfortable for kids and impact their self-esteem, crowded teeth are significantly harder to clean. Therefore, patients with crowded teeth have a higher risk of developing tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health issues.
Children under the age of five are pretty adventurous, athletic, and energetic—but this newfound moxie can result in dental injuries. If this sounds all too familiar, save our phone number in your phone, 703-688-2155.
Emergency dental appointments are all too common amongst kids of this age. If your child accidentally chips or cracks their tooth after climbing, running, or jumping, Dr. Rashed will strive to meet with you on the same day as the incident.
New experiences can be a little nerve-wracking for people of all ages. One primary reason for your child’s infant dental visit is to help your child feel more comfortable in the dentist’s office. To help your baby feel more confident in the dentist’s chair, we allow parents to hold their baby. Additionally, we suggest bringing a favorite blanket, stuffed animal, or comfort item to help the young child adjust to this brand-new-to-them scenario.
Although the adage is “ignorance is bliss,” we don’t agree with this sentiment regarding your child’s health. Many parents don’t know what they don’t know, and caring for a baby isn’t always intuitive.
There’s plenty of misinformation regarding children’s health on the internet, and we believe it’s more sensible to see a children’s dentist in Lorton like Dr. Rasheed rather than sifting through the potentially distorted truth regarding your baby’s oral health.
The bottom line is that delaying the first dental visit is a gamble on your child’s oral and overall health. Book baby’s first dental appointment by calling (703)-688-2155 or messaging us online.
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