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National Children’s Dental Health Month
Posted on 02/02/2016
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National Children’s Dental Health Month

February is one of our favorite months here at Harner Orthodontics - and not just because of Valentine's Day! February is Pediatric Dentistry Month, and this is a noble cause that's near and dear to our hearts. Creating a beautiful, healthy smile means starting early, and that makes childhood dental care crucial for a lifelong smile.

While they do eventually fall out, baby teeth play several critical roles in dental development. For one, they help a child learn to chew, swallow, speak, and breathe, so problems with baby teeth can lead to serious developmental issues later on. Additionally, baby teeth act as guides for permanent teeth once they erupt, so losing any prematurely can cause issues in spacing. Finally, children learn their dental habits with their baby teeth - so instilling a habit of consistent, conscientious dental hygiene is an important part of helping them develop a beautiful smile.

But childhood dental health isn't all about hygiene - in many cases, orthodontic treatment needs to start early as well. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation at age 7. That's because at this age, the back bite is established, so we can spot any current problems or see any that may develop down the road. For many patients, we elect to wait and begin treatment in adolescence - but in some cases, early intervention can be the difference between a fast, inexpensive treatment and costly, time-consuming procedures later on.

Contact Your Huntington Beach, CA Orthodontist

Have more questions about your child's dental health or want to schedule an evaluation? We're here to help. Feel free to reach out to us at our contact page or use our easy online form to schedule an appointment at our Huntington Beach, CA office, and don't forget to check back to this blog for more tips and info on maintaining a beautiful, healthy smile.