As a parent, feel free to ask questions during dental checkups for children. We want parents to be well-informed of the treatment options available for their child. After all, the parent is typically the one who decides how to proceed when it comes to the care of the child. Thus, it is very important to understand as much about the process as possible. If unsure of where to start, here are some questions to ask:
We typically recommend that children have a check-up and teeth cleaning twice a year. It allows us to remove plaque and tartar that brushing and flossing at home cannot remove. It is difficult for young patients to keep their teeth perfectly clean and this is the best way to augment their routine.
When in the examination chair, we will clean the teeth to remove anything that has built up while also looking for signs of soft spots and cavities. If we identify any health risks, we will discuss treatment options with the parent and help make a decision on how to proceed. We can also use this time to give a child a fluoride treatment or to apply dental sealants.
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that strengthens the enamel when we apply it to the teeth. This makes it less likely that a child will develop cavities or experience dental damage. However, some parents have concerns in regards to the safety of this treatment. As a dental professional, we can discuss the pros and cons during an examination and you can ultimately decide how to proceed.
If a child has deep ridges on the chewing surfaces of the teeth, it may be necessary to apply dental sealants. Food can become stuck in these ridges and it is difficult to remove it once there. This makes it more likely that a child will develop cavities on their molars. In this situation, the dental sealant can be brushed onto this portion of the teeth. It hardens within a matter of minutes. Painless and easy, this is a popular treatment option but is not necessary for all patients. It really depends on the ridges of a child's teeth.
During dental checkups for children, we often find soft spots or cavities. Treating them is relatively fast and easy. First, the decayed portion of the tooth must be removed. Next, the area is cleaned and then filled - typically with a ceramic filling so that no one can tell the tooth ever had a cavity.
To schedule dental checkups for children, call our office. We are happy to assist you and to do what is necessary to keep your children's teeth as healthy as possible
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