They’re walking, they’re talking, and they’re jumping. It’s likely your toddler is getting used to stretching their limbs and making their way around the house. As a parent, you’re busy chasing after them, preventing any harm before it happens. Toddlers need their oral health looked after, too. Did you know that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends booking an appointment with a dentist by your child’s first birthday — or first tooth, whichever comes first? Get to know the top three reasons why toddlers need dental insurance for good oral and overall health.
1. Toddlers need dental insurance to ensure a healthy mouth and smile
Toddlers need dental insurance to protect their mouth and teeth as they grow. Even though baby teeth fall out, they are still very important. By age 2, or by the time your child can spit, make sure your toddler is brushing those baby teeth day and night with a pea-sized dab of fluoride toothpaste.
Once your toddler has two teeth next to each other, they should begin flossing. Click here for tips on teaching your kids how to floss. Let children brush under your supervision and assistance until they can brush by themselves – generally around age seven.
Baby teeth pave the way for a healthy (or unhealthy) mouth and smile as they grow and determine how adult teeth will come in. They also help toddlers learn to chew, speak, and smile! If a baby tooth is lost too early, permanent adult teeth can drift around and come in crooked or crowded. When a child established good oral health early on, they’re much more likely to carry those habits with they for healthy mouth and smile as they grow. And when they visit the dentist by 1, the dentist can help monitor or correct any oral health concerns before they become a problem.
2. Avoid tooth decay in toddlers with dental insurance
Tooth decay is a serious disease that can cause infection in other parts of the body. What’s more, toddlers who have had tooth decay are more likely to have oral and overall health problems as they grow up. If your toddler is on your dental coverage plan, it’s easier to find a dentist in your area because of our extensive dentist network.
When your toddler has Delta Dental coverage and visits the dentist regularly, the dentist can remove plaque buildup and lower their risk of developing cavities. Tooth decay leads to cavities, and untreated cavities can cause pain and infections. Poor oral health in kids can cause “problems with eating, speaking, playing, and learning,” according to the CDC. “Children who have poor oral health often miss more school and receive lower grades than children who don’t.”
Toddlers with dental insurance have a lower risk of untreated cavities, which are associated with:
- Iron deficiency
- Malnutrition and disordered eating, including low vitamin D and calcium
- Obesity
3. Dental coverage for toddlers helps you save on dental costs
When your toddler is covered under your dental insurance plan, you won’t have to pay for dental visits out of pocket. Most plans cover exams, cleanings, and other diagnostic or preventive services at 100%. Your plan may also cover restorative treatments.
How do I sign my toddler up for dental coverage?
Having a baby or adopting a child counts as a qualifying life event, which means you can make changes to your benefits plans. You can also do this during open enrollment. Just choose family coverage and list your baby as a dependent.
If your toddler wasn’t signed up as a baby, reach out to your benefits administrator, broker, or Delta Dental’s Customer Service.
Not covered? You can sign up for a Delta Dental plan that meets your family’s needs. When you opt for infant dental coverage, you invest in a lifetime of healthy smiles.
