Nowadays, children begin their biannual dental checkups and cleanings around their first birthday (or sooner if their first tooth emerges before then). However, this is a relatively new practice. After all, the field of pediatric dentistry didn’t gain traction until the 1900s! To learn about the history of this important specialty, read on!
A Humble Start
Back in 1913, an American dentist opened the world’s first oral hygiene school. The women who attended cleaned the teeth of school children, which put pediatric dentistry on the map. Around the same time, a dental assistant in Los Angeles opened a practice just for kids, which was the first of its kind. Her inspiration came from in-depth research she conducted in college on the effects of food and sugar on children’s teeth. This tandem focus on the health of kids’ smiles was the start of the pediatric dentistry we know today!
The Road to National Recognition
Thanks to the hard work of the pioneers mentioned above, the awareness of the importance of pediatric dentistry spread. As a result, the American Dental Association recognized pediatric dentistry as its own specialty in the 1940s. This led to more and more families prioritizing their children’s dental health, increasing the statistics of kid’s going to the dentist to about 50%! Now, dentists can tailor their training specifically to maintaining, restoring, and enhancing growing smiles.
Pediatric Dentistry Today
Over the years, there have been some “wins” on the pediatric dentistry front. For example, nearly 90% of children visit their dentist annually. With that said, there is some room for improvement. Currently, more than 90% of Americans have at least one cavity by their 21st birthday. Additionally, over 40% of children between the ages of 2 and 11 have experienced tooth decay. For this reason, pediatric dentistry is just as important today!
7 Tips for a Happy, Decay-Free Smile
If you’re looking for some actionable tips to help keep your child’s smile decay-free, here are seven:
- Use the right tools, like a child-sized toothbrush.
- Gently brush for a full two minutes after each meal (or morning and night).
- Supervise your child’s oral hygiene routine until they have the fine motor skills to effectively complete it on their own.
- Have them floss between every two teeth that touch.
- Schedule a dental checkup and cleaning for them every six months.
- Monitor their sugar intake.
- Provide them with nutrient-dense, well-balanced meals.
Pediatric dentistry has come a long way in the last 100 years. Moving forward, the number of families that prioritize children’s dental care should continue to increase. That way, each generation continues to have the healthy, happy smiles they deserve.
About the Practice
Simply Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics is filled with highly-trained and compassionate dental professionals that love helping growing smiles thrive. From the appearance of their first baby tooth to braces right before they head off to college, we offer a wide range of dental services all under one roof. If you have a question about caring for your child’s growing smile or you would like to schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to visit our website or call (781) 767-7200.