Young girl smiling with toothbrush on her teeth, palos heights IL

Has Your Child Not Been to the Dentist in Years? Here's What to Expect

October 8, 2024
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Dentist checking a kids mouth, palos heights IL

Being a parent is hard. You’re responsible for your child’s health and well-being, but sometimes, the stress of work, finances, and everyday life makes it feel impossible to be a good parent. At Palos Pediatric Dentistry, we understand how a busy schedule, financial stress, or dental anxiety might keep you from taking your child to the dentist.

We want you to know that we’re here to help and don’t want you to feel embarrassed or ashamed if you haven’t taken your child to the dentist in five, ten, or even 15 years. Although we may ask for a consultation before starting any dental work, it’s never too late to bring your child to our dental office for a dental cleaning, general exam, or consultation.

The Consequences of Not Visiting the Dentist and How Palos Pediatric Dentistry Can Help

Avoiding the dentist can have serious consequences for your child’s oral health. Fortunately, our dental practice can help you solve the following issues before they worsen and cause tooth loss:

  • Gum disease — When you don’t bring your child in for regular dental visits every six months, plaque builds up on their teeth and gums. This sticky bacteria can cause gum disease. Other causes include mouth breathing, genetics, and certain medications. We can clean your child’s gums and restore their oral health, but you can help by encouraging them to brush and floss daily at home.
  • Cavities — Because children love sugar, they can get a cavity even if they brush and floss every day. When bacteria enter your child’s tooth, it creates an acidic environment and can lead to tooth decay. That’s why regular dental visits are essential so we can examine your child’s teeth and perform any necessary treatment. If your child has a cavity, we clean and sterilize the area before filling and sealing the tooth.
  • Tooth infections — Without regular dental visits, your child is more susceptible to tooth infections. These infections can be caused by untreated cavities, food stuck between their teeth, a chipped or broken tooth, gum disease, or sleeping with a bottle. Depending on your child’s dental situation, we can provide treatment to restore their oral health.

Contact Our Palos Heights Dental Office to Get Back on Track

Your friendly Palos Heights dentist wants you to know we won’t judge you for avoiding dental visits. We’re here to welcome you with open arms and get your oral health back on track.

We also offer multiple financing options for your convenience. The following link will give you all the information you need.

When you’re ready, call or text our dental office at (708) 263-6708, or visit our website’s contact page. We look forward to hearing from you.

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