Are Regular Visits to the Dentist Really Necessary for Young Children?

Published:
Updated:

There are many reasons why regular exams are critical to your child’s dental health – not just early on, but to establish healthy dental habits that last a lifetime.

girl at dentist visit
Outstanding customer car for our 15 yrs old Autistic Granddaughter. Rebekah really helped put our minds and ease and helped us plan the next visit when it came to reservations we had on the cost of this treatment, and future ones. This is expensive, but worth it knowing they help special needs kids, teens and adults. Sedation dentistry team handle everything great!
Thank you Dr. Thoms and the team!!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your thoughtful review. We’re so glad our team could provide a supportive and reassuring experience while helping you plan for future care. It means a great deal to know you felt informed and cared for every step of the way. We truly appreciate your kind words and the trust you’ve placed in us.
Dr Thoms specializes in dental anesthesia for patients with Special Needs. My daughter has been a patient of his for many years.
His experience, depth of knowledge and understanding the needs of Special Needs patients is excellent.
He presents clear and detailed information for his procedures and treatment options along with expectations during aftercare.
Follow up instructions include a personal phone call from him as well as additional calls from his office staff. I highly recommend Dr Thoms and definitely give him 5 stars.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience. We’re grateful for the trust families place in our team and are committed to providing thoughtful, individualized care with clear communication every step of the way. Your recommendation means a great deal to us!
My hygienist, DeLaina Joost, takes excellent care of my teeth with her advanced skills, gentle touch and great “chair side” manner. She is a consummate professional, and such a compassionate person. I look forward to my visits at DAC!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad to hear you had a positive experience with our team and appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback.
I want to thank everyone at the Dental Anesthesia Center for taking care of me yesterday—Meaghan helped me get the forms filled out correctly and in on time, Daisy for guiding me in and getting me out safely, Dr. Hoffman for taking care of my teeth and dealing with my really terrible gag reflex, and EVERYONE who helps make this happen. I don't know all of your names, but I do know that it takes all of you working together to make my dental care possible and have good results.

I'm always nervous when I first arrive, even though every procedure has had a good outcome. I've never had any pain or excessive bleeding as a result. The one thing I realized yesterday is that all of you are warm, friendly, positive, you have what is called a good vibe, which helps me a great deal.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience. We’re so glad our team could help you feel comfortable and supported throughout your visit. Providing a safe, positive environment is very important to us, and your feedback means a great deal. We truly appreciate your trust in our care!
Dr. Thoms and his entire staff at The Dental Anesthesia Center have been absolutely wonderful!! They're all so kind and knowledgeable. I would give them 10 stars if I could!!!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words! We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. It means a lot to hear this feedback.

Putting off pediatric dental visits when your children are young might be appealing. You may figure that they just have baby teeth that aren’t going to stick around very long. However, there are many reasons why regular exams are critical to your child’s dental health – not just early on, but to establish healthy dental habits at an early age.

It Diminishes Anxiety

Introducing your child to the dentist early in their life can diminish the anxiety that can otherwise come with going to the dentist for the first time. Regular dental exams that start early will ease a child into the dentist’s chair so that it becomes more a matter of routine and less anxiety-provoking. That is a major benefit for your child’s oral care. It also makes it more likely that your child will continue regular dental visits well into adulthood.

Preventative Care Can’t Be Underestimated

If they have regular exams, then your child will be less likely to develop tooth decay. Oral decay is a combination of genetics and dental hygiene; if your dentist notices that your child’s teeth have deep ridges that are more prone to bacteria and decay, then they can recommend preventative care like dental sealants or fluoride treatments. It is always better to head off a problem before it happens than to have to try to solve it once it becomes an issue.

Diagnose Issues

Your dentist may not be the one to fix orthodontic issues, but if they notice early on that a tooth needs to be extracted or that there is a problem with your child’s bite, they can recommend that you seek the experience and evaluation of an experienced orthodontist. When it comes to fixing orthodontic problems, timing can be highly critical. If your child has too narrow of a palate or a tooth that is coming through and is making everything shift, the dentist can send you to the right professional to get the correction needed.

Reinforce Good Dental Habits

When you tell your child they need to brush and floss, it might not mean as much as a dentist making them aware of the consequences of ignoring their dental health.

Seeing a pediatric dentist is not only critical to developing good oral habits but also imperative to avoid bad experiences like having a cavity that needs filling after tooth decay has set in. To make sure that kids get the dental treatment they need, to preempt any problems later on (either dental or orthodontic), and to ease the anxiety that can come from seeing the dentist, regular dental exams are an important part of developing routines and habits that will follow children well into adulthood. Regular maintenance is highly important to your child’s ultimate oral health going forward.

Pediatric Dentist St. Louis

Your child’s initial oral examination will include a visual examination, charting, diagnosis and treatment recommendations. We work hard to make your child feel at ease by providing exceptional patient care in a relaxed, convenient atmosphere. Depending on your child’s circumstances, we will discuss if sedation or anesthesia is right for your child.

Call Us Today

The first two board-certified Dentist Anesthesiologists in the state of Missouri.

Updated: May 13, 2025

Leave a Comment