Adults are not the only ones who need to have their teeth examined and cleaned every six months. Children ages two and older need to attend these visits too! In today’s blog, your Shirley, NY, pediatric dentist and orthodontist talks about checkups and cleanings for little smiles of all ages!
When Kids Need to See the Dentist
The very first visit happens when the first primary tooth arrives, usually at around age one. But actual checkup appointments begin at around age two, and should happen every six months. Serious oral health issues take time to develop, usually several months. Making time for these appointments means we have a chance to diagnose and treat problems in the earliest stages, often before your kids develop painful symptoms or risk premature tooth loss.
Checkups
The dental checkup means we take a close look at the smile with digital x-rays and intraoral cameras, so we can see the teeth, gums, roots, and oral structure with detail. Our team will look for cavities, infections, and gingivitis, as well as factors that could increase the risk of misalignment, like complications with the loss of baby teeth and the eruption of the permanent ones. These visits also allow us to instill good oral health habits, and help kids gain a better understanding of their oral health. Routine visits also reduce dental anxiety, so your child could start looking forward to seeing the dentist instead of fearing these appointments!
Cleanings
During these six-month visits, our team will also clean the teeth. A dental cleaning means we use an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual tool to break up and remove all plaque and tartar from the surfaces of the teeth. This helps lower the risk of cavities, gingivitis, and even bad breath and teeth stains. At home, brushing and flossing helps limit how much plaque can develop, and these cleaning visits remove it completely. You can also help reduce the risk of serious buildup by offering them foods and drinks low in sugar and starch.
Preventive Treatments
Our team also provides preventive treatments to help lower the risk of future cavities, and we can administer them during checkup and cleaning visits. During each appointment, we can apply a fluoride gel to help strengthen the outer enamel and lower the risk of cavities. We also have dental sealants, a plastic coating we add to the rear teeth to lower the chances of cavities forming in the teeth kids have the most trouble reaching when brushing and flossing.
See Your Shirley, NY, Orthodontist and Pediatric Dentist Today
Our team is eager to help kids maintain their healthiest smiles with regular care. To learn more about protecting little smiles with dental exams and professional cleanings, then contact Shirley Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry in Shirley, NY, by calling (631) 399-1600.
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