Healthy Fluids

As a parent, you may wonder what the appropriate age is for a childs first dental visit. The American Dental Association and The American Academy of Pediatric dentistry agree that the first visit should occur around age one or approximately six months after the eruption of the first tooth. You may be wondering: why so young? The answer is because primary or baby teeth serve an important role in your childs dental health. For one thing, they are necessary for eating and speaking clearly as the child grows. They also act as a placeholder for the permanent teeth.

During that first visit the dentist will gently examine your childs gums and teeth to ensure that there is no dental decay or other problems. Many dental practices will also provide a tour of the office and help your child to be more comfortable prior to the exam. It is important that the dentist develop a good rapport with your child right from the start.

The dentist will also talk to you about your familys dental history as well as explain proper methods of keeping your childs teeth clean and healthy. For most young children, they can begin brushing their own teeth by age two or three. You should always check them afterward and even brush them again to make sure that harmful bacteria do not remain in the mouth. Getting them a special toothbrush or flavored toothpaste often helps in getting them to enjoy brushing.

During your childs first Bee Cave dental visit, you will probably be asked if your child is a thumb or pacifier sucker. This habit can cause malformed teeth and should be stopped around age two or three. Your dentist will be able to provide some tips on how to break the habit if your child does not do it on their own.

To ensure a positive experience for your child at the first dental visit, there are several things you can do in advance. Explain in terms they can relate to what will happen at the visit. There are numerous books and online interactive videos available to help you discuss this with your child. Make sure that you stay positive. Do not share any negative experiences you may have encountered in the past. A trip to the dentists office in advance is often helpful for a child who is anxious about their visit. The most important thing is for you to remember that you are doing the best thing for your child in preventing issues later in life. When you truly understand this, it will come across in a positive way.

After your childs first dental visit it is important to maintain a regular dental regimen with them at home. You should also make sure that they see the dentist for regular checkups so that he/she can detect and take care of any problems early.

Post written by Dental Concepts - visit their site at http://www.dental-concepts.com/. Our oral cavity is such an intricate and complex system that it requires more than one habit to make sure that it is in tiptop shape. We all have been taught to brush after eating and that must have been the most effective campaign material for toothbrushes eversince. However, they are little if not, no popular commercials at all for another important step in dental hygiene: flossing.

Little do we know that flossing, though underrated, is another important habit everyone needs to practice for optimal dental health. Other than removing annoying debris in between teeth, flossing has benefits that transcend what meets the eye.

For one, it reduces the risk of tooth decay. The surface of your teeth extends into those that are sitting on your gumline. And because of the closeness of teeth, toothbrush bristles cannot always reach in between to clean this part of your teeth and that is where plaque usually starts.

Aside from that, plaque not only causes damage to the teeth surface near the gums. It also wreaks havoc on the gums itself. This infection could lead to gingivitis when left untreated which may escalate to periodontitis and other complications.

Dental floss also prevents bad breath. When plaque forms, they have bacteria in them which metabolizes the sugar and the process gives off a bad smell resulting in bad breath. That is apart from the tooth decay and gum problems that plaque causes overtime.

Tartar is the result of the hardening of dental plaque. But unlike plaque which is a colorless film of bacteria, tartar is visible and is made up of minerals from saliva and gingival crevicular fluid. The latter is a present fluid in the crevicular pockets of your mouth which increases when irritation of inflammation is present. This hardened surface is annoying to see. Tartar removal is also a separate dental procedure as tartar is difficult to remove and may cost you more money than how much you would spend for floss in six months. Taking down the cause of tartar which is plaque is the easiest first step in eliminating the problem.

The state of your oral health can predict almost accurately, your overall health. And taking care of your oral cavity is one of the few things you can do to lessen the risk of more of more complicated systemic diseases. Bacteria from your mouth may find its way to your heart leading to or aggravating present cardiovascular diseases. Gum disease is also a risk when a person is diabetic as there is lowered immunity to infection. That is why proper oral care including flossing must be practiced.

Flossing may not be commercially popular but that does not lessen the importance of the habit. The most expensive thing you can floss is your teeth and your overall health.