Has Your Toddler Had A Dental Exam?
For years, the American Academy of Pediatrics advised parents to begin children’s dentist visits before the third birthday. The AAP now directs parents to take their toddler to a dentist before his or her first birthday, or within six months after their first tooth erupts. Don’t wait!
Why? Prevention, prevention, prevention! Sadly, British Columbia dentists continue to find extreme tooth decay in very young children. This is entirely unnecessary in a community with sufficient health and dental services.
High-risk children should be seen as early as possible. Following are some of the risk factors:
- Sleeping with a bottle (if you put your child to bed with a bottle, we strongly urge you to stop this practice)
- Drinking juice consistently during the day
- Abnormal tooth development
- Thumb sucking
- Tooth grinding
- A mother with substantial decay
- Other health problems
The best way to ensure lifelong oral health for your son or daughter is to train him or her early on appropriate daily dental hygiene, provide a healthy, low-sugar diet, and establish a relationship with a reputable family dentist. Dr. Malfair urges all British Columbia parents to be energetic about their children’s dental health.
To schedule a pediatric exam and consultation, call 250-860-8900. At Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair, we take special care of our youngest patients and their parents.
Contact Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair:
250-860-8900
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
301-1890 Cooper Rd
Kelowna, British Columbia
V1Y 8B7