Dental Exams
Dental exams go hand in hand with dental cleanings, and are a key part of keeping your child’s teeth and mouth healthy. This preventive treatment allows our pediatric dental team to monitor your child’s oral health, diagnose any developing problems early and ensure that your child is receive all the care they need.
What Do Dental Exams Involve?
During your child’s dental exam, our pediatric dentists and team will clean their teeth, check for signs of developing problems and take X-rays of their mouth. Fluoride treatment or dental sealants may also be applied to help protect their teeth and smile from cavities. For younger children, we will also take time to discuss proper brushing and flossing techniques.
As your child ages their oral needs will evolve. A dental exam for older children and teenagers will include the same services mentioned above, but our pediatric dentists may also discuss oral health risks associated with tobacco usage or other challenges your child may be facing. We will also check the development of your child’s tooth alignment as part of a pre-orthodontic screening to determine if and when orthodontic treatment will be needed.
How Often Should Children Receive Dental Exams?
Children should receive a dental exam at least once every six months. Our pediatric dentists may recommend a more frequent schedule of visits depending on your child’s needs.
Pediatric exams should begin taking place within six months of your baby’s first tooth erupting, or no later than their first year of age. We highly recommend that you bring your child in for this first visit, as the earlier a child starts visiting the dentist the better their oral health will be in the long run. Pediatric exams for infants between 6 months and 1 year of age will involve a few unique checks, including:
- Checking for baby bottle tooth decay
- Monitoring pacifier use and finger sucking habits
- Demonstrating how to properly clean your child’s gums and other oral care techniques
- Discussing fluoride use and how to help your baby receive fluoride through their diet
