“A child's smile is

one of life's

greatest blessings.”

Did you know, pediatric dental disease is the No. 1 chronic childhood

illness? And more than 25% of children aged 2-5 and 50% of those aged

12-15, suffer from tooth decay.

When it is left untreated, pediatric dental disease can lead to malnutrition,

bacterial infections, emergency surgery and even death.

There are a number of problems that affect the oral health of children

including tooth decay, thumb sucking, lip sucking, and early tooth loss.

Even though the baby teeth are eventually replaced with permanent

teeth, keeping them healthy is important for your child's overall health

and well-being.

When should I take my child to the dentist?

Six months after your child's first tooth erupts. This is the ideal time for

the dentist to carefully examine the development of your child's oral

health.

Dental problems often start early, so the sooner the visit occurs, the

better.

Why is it important to fix baby teeth that have decay?

If a baby tooth decays or is removed too early, the space necessary for the

permanent tooth is lost and can only be regained through orthodontic

treatment.

Decayed baby teeth can cause permanent teeth to erupt improperly,

resulting in tooth enamel defects and leads to weaker teeth.

How can children prevent damage to their teeth?

Use a straw when drinking sugary drinks to keep sugar away from teeth.

If you purchase bottled water, make sure that it is fluoridated.

Regular dental checkups, combined with brushing with fluoride toothpaste

will also help protect children's teeth.

Vista Smiles - Healthy Smiles for a Healthy Life!

Vista Smiles Cosmetic Dentistry wants to help your kid have the brightest

smile possible!

Book an appointment with our certified Pediatric Dentist in Vista, CA:

Visit: http://vistasmilesdentist.com/make-an-appointment/

Call: 760-631-0007