Dentistry is one of the oldest branches of medicine in the world. While the day is a celebration of dentists all around the world, let us take the opportunity to reflect on the importance of dental health for children but lets understand why is oral hygiene and dental health important.

Dr Ipshita Suyash throws light on the topic and suggests that dental health helps in maintaining the quality of life of a child. She says, "A healthy mouth enables not only children to receive nourishment for the physical body but also provides the child with the feel good factor. Many diseases have their first signs in the mouth. Regular visits to a pediatric dentist will help you catch any symptom right at its inception, enabling prevention from any disease affecting the entire body. Apart from chewing, teeth also aid children with speech. The position of teeth and the way the tongue rolls on them can affect a child’s pronunciation. Blackened teeth due to cavities or gaps in teeth have been the reason for children being bullied at school. Dental health is thus important to maintain the quality of life of the child."