Scheduling A Checkup And Cleaning Visit For Kids
As October comes to a close, this means that the end of the year is right around the corner. Before your holiday activities make your schedule too hectic, you should consider an appointment. This allows you to use any remaining benefits before they expire! In today’s blog, your Dallas, TX, pediatric dentist talks about our checkup and cleaning visits.
When Children Need an Exam
We recommend an initial Happy Visit for kids at around age one, as soon as the first baby tooth has erupted. This visit doesn’t involve treatment, instead we just make sure teeth are erupting properly. At around age two, kids should begin to have routine checkup and cleaning visits every six months, just like grownups. The exam allows us to take a close look at the teeth and gums using advanced technology, creating images that are detailed and make a more accurate diagnosis possible. If we discover areas of concern, we can recommend treatment. For example, we can treat cavities before they become an infection that threatens the stability of the smile, and we also make sure that baby teeth are falling out on schedule and that permanent teeth are erupting as they should.
Cleaning Smiles
During the same visit, we will perform a thorough dental cleaning. The procedure involves gently removing all harmful plaque and tartar buildup from their smiles using an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual tool. The process doesn’t take long, but is essential for avoiding bad reteach, stained teeth, and cavities. For older kids, this also helps prevent inflammation and gingivitis. We could also discuss proper brushing and flossing habits with your children, so they can help limit the severity of plaque in between these six months appointments.
Preventive Treatments
Our team could also discuss preventive visits to help protect smiles from serious concerns. For example, we could apply a fluoride varnish every six months. The varnish helps strengthen the outer enamel to make cavities less likely. Our team could also apply dental sealants to the rear teeth. The sealants are an acrylic layer that covers the rear teeth and prevents food from becoming stuck between them. Since kids have a hard time reaching these teeth, this helps lower the risk of tooth decay. The sealants then stay in place for between five and ten years, wearing away gradually with time.
If you have any questions about our exams and cleanings, or if you want to schedule your child’s next visit, then give us a call today.
Talk to Your Dallas, TX Dentist’s Office About Dental Exams
Our team is ready to help your kids maintain their best smiles with routine preventive care. To schedule an appointment for a checkup and cleaning for your children, then contact your Dallas, TX pediatric dentist, Dr. Marr, by calling (214) 321-4880.
filed under: Preventive Treatments