Going to see a dentist is one of the things that people of all ages don't usually look forward to doing. However, it is not a good idea to neglect dental health care out of fear. If you want your child to grow up with healthy teeth and gums, the best thing that you can do is put him or her on a schedule for regular dental checkups. There are many good reasons why your child should get his or her teeth examined by a dentist. Below, you will learn about some of the oral health conditions that a pediatric dentist can detect and treat before they become severe if your child is seen regularly.

Decaying Teeth

Decaying teeth is one of the problems that may people experience, especially children that eat large amounts of candy. When teeth begin to decay, it is good to treat the cavities before they get too large. If you start taking your child to see a dentist on a regular basis, the dentist will be able to keep track of the development of cavities. Depending on the age of your child, a pediatric dentist might want to extract a tooth with a cavity rather than filling it in. For example, if the tooth isn't one of the permanent ones, filling it in will likely be a waste of time and money.

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is one of the other oral health conditions that can be avoided if your child goes to regular dental checkups. Periodontal disease can progress into a serious condition if it does not get treated in a timely manner. When the dentist examines your child's mouth, he or she will look for signs of an infection. For instance, the dentist will look for red and swollen gums, bleeding, dental abscesses, and several other things that can point to periodontal disease. You don't want your child to end up with periodontitis, as it can lead to weak jawbones and tooth loss.

Misaligned Teeth

Regular dental examinations are a great way for a dentist to keep track of how your child's teeth are growing in. Any signs that his or her top teeth are growing in a manner in which they protrude over the bottom ones is a sign of overbite. The top and bottom sets of teeth should align together in order to properly chew food. If a dentist detects that your child has overbite, he or she will be able to correct the condition with braces before it gets worse.

Visit a dentist like Sunnyside Dentistry for Children today for more pediatric dental care advice.