If you are from Cockeysville, MD, and need a family dentist, Dr. Roger Vallar at Padonia Dental Associates is a name you can trust. Dr. Vallar, together with his trusted team, all assist with the community's dental health. Read to understand the importance of oral health in children.

Children's Teeth

Children start to get their primary teeth from about six months of age, and these teeth are temporary but still need to be cared for properly. All children should visit Padonia Dental Associates when they turn one year old so that your family dentist can assess whether your child has any tooth problems.

Oral health should be preventative rather than treatment-based, if possible. Children should brush their teeth twice a day, and if they are under six, it is better to supervise them while they come to grips with learning how to brush their teeth correctly. 

Permanent teeth will eventually replace primary teeth starting from around six years of age.

Why Good Oral Health is Important

Dr. Vallar, your family dentist serving Cockeysville, MD, would like you to know that good habits are the cornerstone of good oral health. Oral health is vital for the following reasons:

Keeping Your Teeth and Gums Healthy

By maintaining good oral hygiene and brushing correctly and regularly, you can avoid cavities, bad breath, and gum disease. Caring for your primary teeth contributes to your permanent teeth' health later on, including spacing and alignment.

Overall Health

Strong oral health habits contribute to the overall health of your child. Children with poor dental health may be in pain, which affects their ability to eat, affecting their overall physical development. This also contributes to their mental health. Pain tends to make a person grumpy, and toothache is no exception.

Cognitive Development

Poor oral health may impair your child's ability to learn and grow intellectually. Poor oral health is often associated with weaker school performance.

Early Disease Detection and Chronic Disease

Poor dental health exposes you to the possibility of chronic medical conditions later in life. Similarly, by having regular dental checkups, your dentist may detect early signs of disease, including mouth tumors.

Psychosocial Impact

Children with poor oral health may be withdrawn because their mouth and teeth prevent them from participating fully in a social setting. Isolation is not good for any child.

Contact Us

If you are in Cockeysville, MD, contact your family dentist, Dr. Vallar at Padonia Dental Associates, at 410-560-1400 to make an appointment for your child to have a checkup. Oral health is an important part of their overall health. Dr. Vallar works with Dr. Dutta and Dr. Chae, who can provide orthodontic and endodontic support, respectively.