Dental Visits For Children Before They Reach the Age of One

The journey to good dental health is one that starts early and begins when we’re children. You may not have realised though, that while a healthy standard of teeth in children is vitally important, there are strong indications out there to suggest that this process actually begins before the first teeth have appeared. Consequently, it is advisable for parents to consider taking their children for dental visits before their first birthday.

Failings

Despite the value of addressing the issue of children’s health at a very early age, it has been reported that a large number of children have not made a dental visit before they reach the age of one. To be more specific, research recently conducted by the University of Birmingham’s School of Dentistry in conjunction with the University of Edinburgh and Public Health England found that just 3% of children in England had visited the dentist prior to their first birthday. Furthermore, according to these findings, just 12% of children in the UK had made a visit to the dentist by the time they reached the age of two.

Despite this being an indication of the fact that a sizeable proportion of children are not receiving the professional dental attention that they should, it also means that children may be at greater risk of suffering problems related to their teeth later in life.

What Problems Does This Cause for Children?

It is unadvisable for children to not see a dentist before their first birthday and it increases the chance of them being affected by certain dental health problems. For example, the failure of children to be seen by a dentist in the initial few years of their life has been identified as creating a greater likelihood for them to develop tooth decay. According to the University of Birmingham’s research, the lack of dental visits in the early years of a child’s life can lead to a poor standard of all-round oral health. As a result of having poor dental health, there is a heightened risk of developing such problems as infection and pain in the mouth which can go hand-in-hand with poor sleeping, plus problems with eating as well as learning and socialising.    

Addressing the Problem

Although it would appear as though there is a lack of awareness amongst parents regarding the need of children to be seeing their dentist at a very early age, and though this would suggest that a large number of children face the potential of suffering poor dental health, there is the possibility of tackling these issues. For example, the Little Trip to the Dentist campaign launched by the NHS in the West Midlands has targeted parents and emphasised the important role that early dental check-ups can play in the lives of children. The increased awareness and the rise in visits to the dentists for young children that may stem from this campaign creates a better chance of improving oral health for children.           

A Future of Healthy Teeth with MSC

As mentioned earlier, having a healthy set of teeth is an ongoing journey, and while dental check-ups for young children are crucial, they represent the first steps of a process that needs consistent attention. For healthy teeth, it’s crucial that dental check-ups are regular, so why not make a wise decision now and choose the skill and dedication of MSC to help make sure your child’s teeth avoid unwanted dental problems as they grow?

Here at Midlands Smile Centres, we have a vast level of experience in dentistry and dental procedures. We are able to provide an array of treatments that will ensure that your child’s teeth remain healthy.

A Dentists For All Needs

MSC are the Bimingham-based dentists that combine an exceptional level of skill and professionalism with a patient-centred approach that makes sure every individual is treated with dignity and respect. Midlands Smile Centres are versatile too, making a variety of treatments available that range from orthodontics and restorative dentistry to cosmetic dental treatments and facial aesthetics. This means that whether you feel that your teeth are crooked or misaligned, discoloured or misshapen, or even if you have missing teeth or teeth that simply just need a little visual boost, we are ready to assist.

Being able to satisfy an entire range of needs, MSC also offer a Smile Plan which makes the affordable prices of our treatments even easier to adapt to your budget. And if you ever find yourself requiring immediate attention from a dentist, you can contact us on our EmergencyTreatment number- 07960344510- even if you’re not an MSC patient.

So, whether it’s you or your child that needs a dental visit or needs treatment, make sure it’s Midlands Smile Centres that you trust with maintaining your dental health. 

Contact MSC today and find-out how we can help you!!