Dear Parent or Guardian,
To make sure your child’s primary teeth (baby teeth) are in good condition, your child should have an oral health assessment (dental check-up) by the time they are one year old. Remember, your child is not healthy if he or she has poor dental health! After the first visit, your child should then visit our office at least twice each year to make certain their smile is healthy. In addition, the new California law that is effective immediately (Education Code Section 49452.8) states that your child must have a dental check-up by May 31 of his or her first year in school (i.e., kindergarten or first grade).
Here is important advice to help your child stay healthy:
- Bring your child to the dentist for a check-up by 12 months of age, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
- Maintain visits with our dentists, Dr. Wong and Dr. Ling, at least twice a year.
- Choose healthy foods for the entire family. Fresh foods are usually the healthiest foods.
- Make sure your child brushes his or her teeth at least twice a day with toothpaste that contains fluoride.
- Limit candy and sweet drinks, such as punch or soda. Sweet drinks and candy contain a lot of sugar, which causes cavities and replaces important nutrients in your child’s diet. Sweet drinks and candy also contribute to weight problems, which may lead to other diseases, such as diabetes. The less candy and sweet drinks, the better!
The primary teeth are very important. Don’t treat them like teeth that will just fall out! In addition to being essential for eating and for proper speech development, primary teeth hold space in the mouth for the permanent teeth. The primary teeth are also important for smiling, which contributes to a child’s self-esteem and social development.
Tooth decay is an infection that does not heal and can be painful if left untreated. If cavities are not treated, children can become sick enough to require emergency room treatment, and their adult teeth may be permanently damaged. If your child has a cavity, or if he or she complains of any type of tooth pain, it is important that they receive proper care so they can stay in good health.
Many factors influence a child’s progress and success in school, including health. Children must be healthy to learn, and children with cavities are not healthy. Cavities are preventable, but they affect more children than any other chronic disease. Be sure to visit our friendly team at Newport Healthy Smiles on a regular basis to ensure that your child’s smile stays healthy and free from cavities.
If you have any questions, or if it is time to schedule your child’s next dental check-up in Newport Beach, California, please contact our office today. We are dedicated to helping your child stay healthy!
Sincerely,
Dr. Ling and Dr. Wong