Children DentistryWe always enjoy the visits of our youngest patients, for a variety of reasons. We are proud to give them quality dental care, of course, and we the pride in getting their oral health off to a great start. Along with that, we simply enjoy having them in the office because they are so much fun. If you are looking for a dental office in Moses Lake that can care for your needs as well as the needs of your children, Lakeside Dental would be a perfect fit.

While we love having children visit our office, we are fully aware that the feeling may not be mutual. Some children are hesitant to visit the dentist, and others are downright scared. As a parent, you may find it hard to commit to making an appointment for your child, knowing they are not going to look forward to the experience. However, despite their concerns, dental visits are important for children of all ages.

Let’s take a look at a few of the key reasons to keep up with dental visits for your children as the years go by.

Catch It Early

One of the leading benefits of bringing your children to the dentist is having the opportunity to catch oral health problems before they become a major issue. When the dentist has the opportunity to spot issues early on, it may be possible to take action in a way that reduces the cost and severity of future treatments. You can keep an eye on your children’s teeth on your own and watch for signs of trouble, but there is nothing like having a trained professional examine your children’s mouths periodically.

Get Comfortable

From the perspective of the child, going to the dentist might not be their favorite activity early on – and that’s okay. With that said, bringing them into a dental office periodically early in childhood will lay the groundwork for a healthy relationship with the dentist moving forward. If you can get your child comfortable with dental visits and basic dental care, going to appointments later in life should be a more comfortable experience.

Learn Valuable Lessons

As you know, kids don’t always listen to their parents. There is just something about advice coming from mom or dad that is hard for kids to take seriously. So, even if you have been good about providing advice on how to do things like brush and floss, that information is probably going in one ear and out the other. The tips provided by a dentist, however? Those are more likely to be received. Even if the dentist is telling your children the same thing you have been saying for years, it will have a better chance of hitting home when it comes from a professional in an office.

Teach Good Habits

It is never too early in life to teach your children that it is important to take care of their bodies. Whether it is oral health or their overall health in general, your children should get the message loud and clear that they only get one body. Taking care of it is a wise decision, and that starts with regular visits to both the dentist and the doctor. Of course, when your children are young, it is up to you to take the initiative on this point, scheduling appointments and following up with any care that is deemed necessary. Then, when your children strike out on their own many years down the line, these good habits will have long since been established.

Maintain Accountability

There is a lot that falls on your shoulders as a parent. You have to stay on top of your kids for many things, from doing their homework and chores to keeping up with things like flossing and brushing teeth. But here’s the thing that kids don’t understand – even parents can slack off from time to time. If you get relaxed with your responsibilities, your child’s oral health may suffer.

This is where it can be helpful to schedule regular dental checkups. As the parent, you will know that an appointment at the dentist’s office is looming, so you will be motivated to keep up with oral care tasks. Rather than just letting it slide when you are tired at the end of the day, you may be encouraged to go the extra mile. Schedule consistent appointments at Lakeside Dental in Moses Lake and make sure oral health remains the priority that it deserves to be.

An Eye on Nutrition

You may not have thought about this point previously, but the health of your child’s teeth has a lot to do with the nutrition that makes its way into their diet. In order to feed your child a well-rounded, healthy diet, you need to make sure their teeth are in good health. Strong teeth are able to chew through a variety of foods with ease, allowing you to feel your kids the nutrition they need on a day to day basis.

Of course, this is a two-way street, since good nutrition can be a boost for oral health. Sugary junk foods are not only unhealthy for the rest of the body, they also don’t do any favors for the teeth in your child’s mouth (or your own mouth, for that matter). Healthy teeth will help your child to eat healthy food, which will, in turn, help your child’s teeth remain healthy moving forward. This is a positive cycle to be in, and it all starts with regular trips to the dentist.

We hope the list of points above has provided you with all of the motivation necessary to bring your child to the dentist on a regular basis. If you have any questions about the dental care we can offer to your child, please contact us right away for more information. Our team looks forward to serving your whole family!