5 Reasons Not to Let Covid-19 Derail Children's Dental Care

5 Reasons Not to Let Covid-19 Derail Children's Dental Care
Posted on 09/04/2020

Children's dental careParents and families with concerns about exposure to the novel coronavirus currently circulating throughout the globe often find themselves putting off routine appointments. But you have good reasons not to delay or avoid your children's dental visits. These reasons include protecting your little one's health, maintaining healthy habits, and even saving money over the long term.

Not sure if you should keep that trip to the dentist? Here's what you need to know.

1. Postponing Treatment Allows Problems to Build

Many dentists recommend that parents start working with a pediatric dentist for their toddlers as early as one year old. Even before the child has many teeth, the dentist can start monitoring their progress and rates of normal growth. If problems aren't identified early, these could become permanent issues once adult teeth do form. And minor cavities or cracks can become expensive and painful if not treated. 

A pediatric dentist looks for health concerns or patterns well beyond just the condition of the child's teeth. They may discuss habits like thumb-sucking or pacifier use as these pertain to tooth formation. They may be able to recommend good nutritious habits and positive hygiene methods parents can apply. And the mouth can even carry indicators of potential issues like asthma, diabetes, and even heart problems. 

2. Kids Need to Develop Healthy Habits

The patterns set for kids when they are young will serve as their habits for many years to come. And because oral health is so important, these habits should be taught and reinforced at home as early as possible. A dentist visit helps kids learn about their own teeth and mouth and understand the basic hygiene habits that they can do at home or with you. 

Visiting a dentist reinforces what parents teach about dental hygiene at home and provide the little one a way to begin their own good hygiene. But an interruption during stressful and distracting times like the pandemic allows bad habits to form and linger. 

3. Oral Health Contributes to Overall Health

Dental science has shown the link between good oral health and a person's overall wellness. How do these relate? 

Gum disease, for instance, allows bacteria to enter the mouth and body. It can then contribute to diabetes, heart disease, and even respiratory ailments like pneumonia. It also is associated with increased inflammation in the body, which exacerbates a variety of potential health problems including lower functioning of the immune system. And everyone needs their immune and respiratory systems at peak now. 

4. Dentists Work to Make Visits Safe

Medical professionals across the board know the importance of keeping families safe as they seek medical care. Dentists have worked hard to provide the safest environment possible as well. In your dentist's office, you will see new protocols designed to minimize any risk of exposure — both for your family as well as for the office staff and dentist. Here are a few ways you'll see added protection:

  • Visitors and staff are limited in number and spaced farther apart to prevent transmission.
  • Spaced-out appointments give the office time to carefully disinfect and sanitize between patients. 
  • Dental staff wear multiple layers of personal protective equipment like masks, gowns, gloves, and face shields. 
  • Other dental visitors may be asked to wear protective masks or face shields as well. 
  • Procedures with the potential to make aerosols are limited and may be replaced with different methods. 

The dentist's office is a place you can trust as a partner in your family's health. And if a parent has specific concerns about their child's health risks or office procedure, they can speak with the dentist or other staff directly to address these. 

5. Parents Need Points of Contact

Parenting during the pandemic is often a stressful situation for families. Isolation and social distancing take their toll in many ways — including added stress, pressure on friendships and family relations, financial costs, and a lack of needed support. Your kids may not be interacting much with peers and teachers at the moment, and you may not be able to consult with professionals and care providers. 

All this adds up to a challenge for the whole family. A visit with your children's dentist can help alleviate some of your worries. The dentist and other staff are trained medical care providers experienced in spotting both health and stress problems. They can recommend other assistance if needed. Too, good medical care takes one load off your plate. And you and your child get a little welcome interaction with outsiders. 

Which of these reasons to keep dental appointments is the most compelling for your family? Whether you want to sustain good habits, prevent future health issues, or just engage with a medical professional, the dentist's office is a good place to start. Learn more by making an appointment at Dentistry For Children & Adolescents today.

DentistryforChildren&Adolescents

Dentistry for Children & Adolescents

  • Edina Office - 7373 France Ave. S., Suite 402, Edina, MN 55435 Phone: 952-831-4400
  • Burnsville Office - 14050 Nicollet Ave., Suite 100, Burnsville, MN 55337 Phone: 952-435-4102
  • Eden Prairie Office - 6385 Old Shady Oak Road, Suite 150, Eden Prairie , MN 55344 Phone: 952-932-0920

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