If you’re a parent, you probably have no trouble taking your child to the dentist when they have a toothache or if they happen to chip a tooth. While a dentist’s help is always welcome when your child’s oral health is in jeopardy, this isn’t the only time you should see them.
Arguably the most important appointments your child will have with their dentist are preventive, consisting of regular checkups and cleanings. This is because detecting oral health problems early is critical to keeping them manageable. Here’s why that is.
Make Treatment Easier
When dealing with oral health problems, the treatment tends to become much harder and more expensive to further developed that the disease is. An excellent example is tooth decay; mild cavities can often be handled with a single filling, while severe tooth decay may need a root canal. For this reason, your child will be much better off if they see their dentist often, allowing them to catch problems early.
Checkups are Affordable (Especially with Insurance)
In case you didn’t know, checkups are generally the most affordable service that a dentist will offer. This is especially true if you’re insured.
Dental insurance works a bit differently than medical insurance, in that a certain percentage of care will be paid for depending on whether it’s preventive or restorative. While insurance companies will usually only cover 50-80% of a filling or root canal, it will generally cover 100% of a checkup. Thus, preventing problems with frequent checkups and cleanings is a better way to use your insurance than waiting for issues to emerge first.
Some Problems are Irreversible
While it’s always a good idea to catch oral health problems early, this is critical in the case of conditions that become irreversible if they progress past certain point. Gum disease is an example; while the condition starts out mild, it can eventually begin to attack the jaw bone tissue. Once this happens, the bone will not grow back.
If your child has signs of periodontal disease, like bleeding gums and bad breath, it’s a good idea to bring it to a dentist’s attention before it becomes serious.
About Our Practice
At Glen Ellyn Pediatric Dentistry, we know that some children aren’t the biggest fan of the dentist. That’s why we go the extra mile to make our patients and their parents as comfortable as possible for the duration of their stay with us. Our dental team will take the time to understand your child, listen to their needs, and to ensure that they’re getting the care that they need to smile their brightest.
If you have any questions about the importance of checkups, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (630) 858-8755.