What Happens at a Pediatric Dental Check-Up?

According to the American Dental Association, everyone with teeth should undergo a full pediatric dental check-up every six months. This is even more necessary for a child with delicate, decay-prone baby teeth. Depending on your child's needs, the pediatric dentist may suggest more regular visits. Continue reading to find out what happens during a typical dental appointment.

The pediatric dental check-up

The pediatric dentist will carefully check the child's teeth and supporting structures during the dental exam. If any dental problems like cavities are present, the dentist will talk about treatment choices. The goal is to ensure parents and their wards are entirely comfortable with any treatment choices, so the dentist will gladly address any questions parents may ask during the appointment.

Naturally, the essence of focusing on preventative dentistry is to help a child avoid cavities and other dental problems in the first place. It is never too early to start thinking about how to keep their smiles healthy. Regular dental examinations, dental sealants, fluoride treatments, and daily brushing and flossing help prepare children and set the foundation for long-lasting good oral health.

Education

During the child's dental exam, the dentist will explain the correct ways to care for a child's teeth and gums, concentrating on appropriate approaches for their age. The dentist will also develop a complete, tailored prevention strategy for the child. Parents are usually astonished to find how simple adjustments in their child's dental hygiene and food habits may significantly influence their child's dental health.

Dental cleaning

Regardless of how well the child brushes, this cleaning is a necessity. It will be impossible to eliminate all the bacteria that cause cavities, even if the child brushes twice daily. On the other side, there are children who hardly ever brush their teeth. Therefore, professional cleaning is so beneficial. It helps to keep gum tissue healthy by eliminating cavity-causing bacteria. It can also eliminate most, if not all, of the stains from teeth.

Dental sealants

Sealants are another option to keep a child's teeth healthy, but they are not meant to replace brushing and flossing. A sealant is a thin protective layer that the dentist can apply on the chewing surfaces of the child's permanent back teeth, called molars. Sealants function by preventing cavity-causing germs and food particles from accumulating in the nooks and crannies that are inaccessible to a child's toothbrush. This helps prevent cavities from developing and small areas of decay from worsening.

X-rays

A dental X-ray gives the dentist detailed pictures of particular areas of the child's mouth. This can be beneficial for identifying issues that are not obvious during the dental exam. X-rays are not usually required at every pediatric dental check-up, and the dentist will discuss the necessity of X-rays depending on a child's age, oral health, and disease risk. Dental X-rays expose patients to very little radiation, especially with digital X-rays, but concerned parents can talk to their dentist.

In conclusion

Visiting the dental office for a pediatric dental check-up is important. According to research, early diagnosis and treatment of cavities and other harmful oral issues can enhance a child's dental and overall well-being.

Request an appointment here: https://www.hvkidsmiles.com or call Hudson Valley Pediatric Dentistry at (845) 363-4177 for an appointment in our Middletown office.

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