While cavities and tooth decay have been on the rise since the 1990s, children are susceptible to these issues now more than ever. In fact, over 25% of children have had a cavity by the time they reach the age of four. Additionally, 20% of children between the ages of five and eleven have at least one untreated decayed tooth. Unfortunately, the statistics continue to skyrocket as 90% of U.S. adults have had at least one cavity by the time they are 21. The good news is that a proper oral hygiene regimen and routine visits to the dentist can ensure that your child isn’t a part of these statistics. Therefore, your dentist in Ellington shares four reasons to schedule your child’s dental checkup before the school year starts.

Reason #1: Appointment Flexibility

Between carpools, extra-curricular activities, homework, and everything else that the school year brings, it’s easy for your schedule to become jam-packed with to-dos. Fortunately, the summer season means a more relaxed calendar for you and your dentist! So, schedule your child’s dental checkup when it is more of a convenience than a hassle.

Reason #2: Healthy Mouths Mean Healthy Grades

When your child is experiencing a dull, throbbing toothache or consistent, sharp pain in their mouth, it can become very difficult to focus on schoolwork. Therefore, a healthy mouth can lead to healthy grades! Plus, by scheduling your visits during their break, it reduces the likelihood of needing to pull them from class to attend a dental appointment.

Reason #3: Early Detection and Prevention

A bi-yearly visit for a professional cleaning can do wonders for your child’s smile. However, the examination component is equally as crucial. At the start of your child’s visit, each of their teeth will be thoroughly checked for chips, cracks, and early signs of cavities and tooth decay. This can save your child (and your wallet) from painful and costly dental fixes that could’ve been easily prevented with a routine visit.

Reason #4: Improve At-Home Oral Hygiene

Any parent can tell you the grievances of getting their child to properly brush and floss their teeth. However, sometimes hearing it straight from their dentist is just what they need to take their oral care routine seriously. This can prevent tooth decay from occurring and ensure that your child’s smile is in tip-top shape until their next visit!

As a parent, seeing your child’s smile is the highlight of your life. However, untreated tooth decay and cavities can mean a world of pain for you and your little one. Therefore, make sure to schedule a routine dental checkup for them before the school year starts to ensure their teeth and gums are in pristine condition!

About the Practice

For over 40 years, the team at Zahner Dental has been serving the Ellington community with exemplary customer service and state-of-the-art-dentistry. Backed by their talented team, Dr. Warren Zahner, Dr. Shawn Zahner, and Dr. Jonathan Zahner use their extensive education and training to provide comprehensive care for your whole family. If you would like to schedule your child’s checkup with a family dentist in Ellington, don’t hesitate to visit their website or give them a call at 860-870-9031.