February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, and it gives Dr. Ed Trizzino and the Smiles of Atlanta team a great opportunity to zero in on one component of children’s dental health: regular dental visits.
Routine care is important for your kids even if they don’t have any current issues. Getting into the habit of dental visits can:
Establishing a routine of dental visits teaches your child the importance of oral hygiene. These habits carry over into adulthood and can even reduce the risk of dental issues later in life.
The sooner your child establishes routine dental care, the better! The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children see their family dentist within six months of their first tooth appearing or by their first birthday — whichever comes first.
Even with proper brushing and flossing, kids are prone to cavities due to their love of sugary treats. Did you know that sugar is hidden in all sorts of kids’ treats, from juice to fruit snacks to crackers?
An estimated 23% of kids aged 2-5 already have cavities in at least one primary tooth. This number jumps to 52% for kids in the 6- to 8-year-old range.
Regular dental checkups catch small issues before they become painful and costly problems. For example, if Dr. Trizzino spots a small cavity during a routine visit, he can treat it with a composite filling.
Filling even the smallest cavities can help prevent complications of untreatable cavities like toothaches, infections, and the need for a crown or an extraction.
Your child’s teeth and jaw are constantly growing. Routine visits allow Dr. Trizzino to monitor their development and address issues like overcrowding or bite misalignment before they worsen.
Regular dental visits in a positive and supportive environment help your child become more comfortable with dental care, reducing fear or anxiety about dental visits as they grow older.
During your child’s cleaning, we remove plaque (a sticky biofilm that can contribute to cavities) and tartar (hardened plaque) from your teeth and along your gumline.
Removing plaque and tartar can improve your child’s breath, reduce their risk of cavities and gum disease, and brighten their smile.
Your child’s dental health isn’t separate from their physical health; it’s part of their overall physical health. Oral health and physical health have a two-way relationship.
Oral infections can increase the risk of serious health conditions like endocarditis — inflammation of the lining of the heart and its valves — while existing health conditions, such as diabetes, can also affect your child's oral health.
The bottom line is that regular cleanings and exams help to prevent gum disease and infections that could affect your child’s heart, immune system, and more.
Dr. Trizzino and our team can provide personalized tips and tricks for brushing and flossing based on your child’s unique needs, so it’s easier for them to maintain a healthy smile at home.
For active kids who play sports, Dr. Trizzino can provide custom-fitted mouthguards to prevent injuries like broken or knocked-out teeth.
During your child’s comprehensive exam, Dr. Trizzino doesn’t just check for cavities. He examines your child’s bite and checks their jaw.
Jaw issues — that is, issues with your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) — can make it painful for your child to chew or hard to open their mouth. TMJ disorders can affect 20-60% of kids.
Catching and treating dental issues early during regular visits in our Atlanta, Georgia, office can save you from expensive treatments like fillings, crowns, or braces later.
As a family provider, Dr. Trizzino can provide dental care to everyone in your family, so what better way to observe this month than to schedule your child’s next dental cleaning?
Give us a ring at 770-407-8459 or use our online booking system to book your child’s next appointment.
