What to Expect During Your Child’s Dental Checkup

Posted October 6, 2020

For many adults, routine dental checkup and cleaning appointments seem like second nature. Few people can remember a time when they didn’t visit the dentist on a regular basis. However, there was such a time, and for children who haven’t grown accustomed to it, visits to the dentist’s office can seem completely out of the ordinary. Today, we explain what to expect during your child’s dental checkup and cleaning appointment, including the steps we may take if your child’s exam reveals signs of trouble.

An assessment of your child’s dental hygiene

Regular dental exams aren’t much different for children than they are for adults. The examination includes a careful visual inspection of the teeth, gums, and oral tissues to check for any potential warning signs of trouble. Also, the dentist will thoroughly check your child’s teeth for signs of excessive plaque and tartar buildup, excessively eroded tooth enamel, and other signs of inconsistent or poor dental hygiene practices. If your child’s dentist notices such signs, then the appointment is likely to include educational tips on how your child can improve their dental hygiene skills at home.

A little help with focused preventive efforts

Depending on how inconsistent your child’s dental hygiene efforts are, as well as several other factors, their teeth may already be threatened by the time they make it to their next dental checkup appointment. For example, an excessive buildup of oral bacteria on their teeth can lead to their tooth enamel becoming excessively weak, which increases their risks of developing a cavity in one or more teeth. If the problem is detected soon enough, before the enamel becomes completely compromised, we may recommend focused prevention with the help of fluoride treatment and/or dental sealants.

A personalized approach to treatment, if necessary

Fluoride treatment can strengthen your child’s tooth enamel and dental sealants can prevent bacteria from reaching it. However, your child’s tooth may have already developed a cavity (or other problem) by the time they attend their next checkup, in which case, prevention may no longer be their only dental health need. When prevention fails, addressing your child’s specific oral health concern as soon as possible is essential to preserving their healthy smile. We offer a range of personalized treatment options designed specifically for children, including biocompatible fillings for cavities and custom-designed dental crowns for more extensive tooth concerns.

Schedule your child’s next dental checkup

Routine dental checkups and cleanings are essential to keeping your child’s smile healthy, and keeping an eye out for any problems that may develop. To learn more, schedule an appointment by calling Pediatric Dental Care at Casa Linda in Dallas, TX today at 214-321-4880. We proudly serve patients who live around Casa Linda and all surrounding Dallas communities.