Children's Dental Articles

As children head back to school this fall, it is important to consider making dental exams a regular part of your children's back-to-school routine, especially if visits are not regularly scheduled. Today, tooth decay is still considered the most chronic childhood disease, and is surprisingly second only to the common cold in prevalence. Unfortunately, if tooth decay is left untreated it can impair a child's ability to eat, speak, sleep, and possibly concentrate.

Tooth decay, however, is preventable, says Dr. C.D. Meier, a board certified Winnipeg Pediatric Dentist at Children's Dental Centre. "Just like hand washing can help prevent the spread of disease, brushing, flossing and seeing your dentist regularly can help prevent tooth decay caused by dental disease," explains Dr. Meier.

The Canadian Dental Association advises parents that children should have their first dental visit by age one, and Dr. Meier agrees. "If a preschooler is having his or her first checkup, dental health problems at this point are more likely to be easier to treat, when damage is minimal and restorations small. Yet, if a kindergartener is visiting the dentist for the first time, pre-existing dental problems may be more difficult to care for because they haven't been addressed early enough".

For those who do not schedule regular six-month visits with their Pediatric Dentist, a back-to-school dental checkup is very important for parents to consider. Children deserve to start the school year with a healthy and care free smile.

Published in Winnipeg Parent Magazine