Once you have a child, your to-do and to-worry-about lists only seem to grow, and never shrink. Is your child eating right? Is their physical and mental development on track? Are they happy, well-adjusted, thriving? It can feel as if you’re up against a mountain of potential problems, as if an avalanche could come at you at any moment. Sometimes you just don’t have enough space in your brain to worry about every single thing, and something slips through the cracks. But quality dental care, including a friendly pediatric dentist, shouldn’t be anything less than a priority when it comes to your child.

Good dental practices and good oral health care can prevent many other mountains of worry from cropping up. Along with proper care for teeth and gums at home, the right pediatric dentist can ensure that your child will never suffer from poor dental health.

Here are four scary reasons why you should find a great pediatric dentist for your child as soon as possible:

1. Cavities: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly one out of five U.S. children suffers from untreated cavities. If you think your toddler isn’t at risk, take note: 19.5% of children ages two to five have untreated cavities, and 22.9% of those ages six to 19 suffer from similar poor oral health. A highly skilled pediatric dentist can keep your kid from becoming a statistic.
2. Tooth Decay:The most common chronic childhood disease isn’t asthma, allergies, obesity, of diabetes. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry says tooth decay is number one, and only regular visits to your pediatric dentist can prevent most childhood tooth decay.
3. Education: Poor dental and oral health could keep your child out of school. According to the Center for Health and Health Care in Schools, students miss out on over 51 million hours of school each year due to dental-related illnesses. A pediatric dentist could keep your child healthy and ready to learn!
4. Sports: Does your child love to run around and play? Even if they’re wearing a helmet or a mouth guard, accidents happen. Colgate says up to 39% or dental injuries happen while children are playing sports. If your child sustains a dental injury, get them to their pediatric dentist as soon as possible!

One out of every four kids has never been to the dentist before they set foot in a kindergarten classroom. More than a third of U.S. schools find it necessary to refer kids for treatment of dental problems. It’s never too soon: find your child a pediatric dentist today!