When To Take Your Child to the Dentist - Dentist Oklahoma City

There are many reasons to start dental visits early, but how early is the question? One important reason is to prevent future fears of the dentist's chair. Being afraid of going to the dentist is a fairly common occurrence among adults, sometimes bordering on an actual phobia. Fear can turn a routine visit into an absolute nightmare, making it very hard to maintain good dental health. If possible, a baby should accompany mom and dad to their dental check ups. Watching the parents allow the  dentist to look inside their mouths on a regular basis will help baby to think of it as a normal thing. He or she will be much more likely to feel comfortable opening his or her mouth for a check up after months of observing. 

Opinions vary about exactly when a child needs to see the dentist for the first time. Around one year is the earliest that is usually recommended, with three or four years old being the latest. It has a lot to do with the maturity of the child and his or her ability to cooperate.

Starting dental visits early is crucial to ensuring good dental health for your child. Twenty percent of children get at least one cavity by the time they are five years old. Cavities can cause early loss of baby teeth, which can result in spacing problems with other teeth, speech issues and trouble chewing food properly. Also, cavities hurt - something nobody wants for their child.

Some children have a situation where the enamel doesn't develop on their baby teeth as they form, causing almost immediate cavities to develop. In this case, obviously, they would need to see a dentist earlier than usual as fillings will be necessary.

Choosing the right dentist for your child is very important as his early experience will affect his reaction to dentists for the rest of his or her life. It's not necessary that they specialize in pediatric dentistry, just that they have an understanding of how children think and can relate to them in such a way that puts them at ease. The same criteria applies to the rest of the staff that he or she will come in contact with during visits. There should be a kid friendly atmosphere throughout the office, making the whole experience of being there a pleasant one.

At Classen Family Dentistry in Oklahoma City, Dr. Tim Kirby and his staff make the dentist office as comfortable as possible for children. Dr. Kirby is not a pediatric dentist, but welcomes them any day the office is open. Parents are encouraged to bring their little ones along for a visit. You can trust Dr. Kirby to be patient and caring with your children. 

For a superb dentist in Oklahoma City, go online to http://classenfamilydentistry.com/ and learn more about Dr. Kirby and his practice. 

We Should All Floss More Often - Oklahoma City Dentist

Flossing is one of the best and the easiest things one can do for maintaining good oral health. According to some estimates, around 83 percent of people do not floss. All these are good reasons to heed to the warning by the dentists. 

It’s important to first understand what would happen if you don’t floss on a regular basis. The bacteria from the food may get trapped in-between your teeth. This may form plaque, which is a sticky substance made of mucus, food debris and bacteria. Plaque can be fairly easily removed, but over time, it can turn into tartar, which can only be removed by a dentist. If it is not removed, it may contribute to cavities and tooth decay. 

The worst consequence of not flossing your teeth is periodontal disease. If it’s left untreated, it may result in gingivitis, where your gums may become tender and may start bleeding with even mild brushing. Another consequence of periodontal disease is your increased susceptibility to heart disease. Many studies in the past have shown that risk of heart disease doubles in people with periodontal diseases. 

An non-flossed mouth is full of fecal matter, bacteria and rotten food. The consequences of bacteria is bad breath (halitosis). Aside from being a social faux pas, your foul smell breath can keep you from getting a good job or for making social connections. There are many positive sounding reasons for flossing as well. It also acts as a fountain of youth, as it helps in maintaining your mouth. It keeps your lower third of face vibrant and healthy. 

Choosing the right floss is key to a good oral hygiene. Floss is made using Teflon or nylon. Both of them are equally effective. All those who have large spaces between their teeth should opt for flat, wide dental floss. People with smaller spaces in-between their teeth can do well with a thinner floss. In any case, you must ensure that floss is strong.

Once you establish flossing as a habit, you should follow the correct technique. Use about 14-18 inches of floss and warp it around your teeth in the shape of C. Don’t worry about some blood. This is simply due to inflammation, but will be reversed about few days of regular flossing. Brushing and flossing should be part of your daily routine. Just like it’s important to do regular exercise and heat healthy food, it’s important to maintain good oral health. 

Dr. Tim Kirby encourages all of his patients to take care of their oral health by flossing. This is the key, along with brushing, to having a healthy smile. Don't forget to floss next time you go to bed - it might just save your health. 

Dr. Kirby is a trusted Oklahoma City dentist and practices at Classen Family Dentistry. Bring your whole family and let Dr. Kirby take care of your dental health: http://classenfamilydentistry.com/