A Checkup Could Help Maintain Your Child’s Smile

Posted January 25, 2022

Once every six months, we like to see your children for a checkup and cleaning, so they can maintain good oral health and gain a better understanding of their smile. In today’s blog, your Dallas, TX, pediatric dentist talks about the benefits of a checkup and cleaning, and when to bring your children in for one.

Checkups for Kids

A checkup for your child means we sit them down to examine your smile. We take time to talk to your children, answering their questions and helping them feel welcome and heard. We then use digital x-rays and intraoral cameras to obtain detailed images of their smile, including the teeth, gums, roots, and oral structures. We can assess their current oral health and identify any areas of concern, offering a treatment plan to correct these issues before they threaten a little smile. The first visit should happen at age one, after the first baby tooth erupts. Regular visits every six months are recommended starting at age two. We can watch for cavities, gingivitis, developing misalignment, and complications with the eruption/loss of baby teeth and the eruption of permanent ones. We also talk about proper brushing and flossing!

A Dental Cleaning Procedure

During the same sitting we will perform a detailed dental cleaning. Even if kids brush and floss, a cleaning is necessary because this completely removes all plaque and tartar using an ultrasonic scaling device. The procedure helps offer brighter and smoother teeth, and also limits the risk of tooth decay and gingivitis. Kids also have a lowered risk of halitosis and teeth stains. To help reduce the severity of plaque in between visits, be sure your kid brushes and floss daily, and cuts back on sugary foods and drinks, as these feed the harmful bacteria responsible for plaque.

Preventive Treatments

Our team also offers preventive treatments to help strengthen the teeth and lower the risk of tooth decay. During each checkup visit, our team will apply a fluoride gel to the teeth, which strengthens the outer gel to lower the risk of tooth decay in the future. We could also recommend dental sealants. These are acrylic coatings we add to the rear teeth, which children often have difficulty reaching when they brush and floss. This prevents food particles from becoming trapped there, so kids are less likely to develop cavities! The sealants then stay in place for up to ten years in some cases. If you have any questions about children’s dentistry, then contact our team today.

Ready for Your Child’s New Visit?

Our team is ready to help your little ones maintain good oral health with routine preventive visit. Set up an appointment with us by contacting your Dallas, TX pediatric dentist, Dr. Marr, by calling (214) 321-4880.