Dental Check Up for Kids: What a Dentist Can Detect

A regular dental checkup for kids can lead the dentist to uncover dental conditions or complications. The dentist may also detect cosmetic dental problems. Once the parent knows about these issues, suggestions for treatment will follow. Here are the issues that a dentist can discover during a dental checkup for kids.

Dental decay

This is the first problem that a dentist can detect during a dental checkup for kids. The dentist can detect even cavities in the back of the mouth. Decayed back teeth often go undetected for a long time. There could also be teeth with weakened enamel. Once the dentist discovers these issues, quick treatments can follow right away. The dentist can provide dental fillings for dental restoration.

Periodontal disease

Children can experience the early stages of periodontal disease, which is gingivitis. A regular dental checkup for kids can detect the early signs of this condition. Swollen and red gums are the common signs to watch out for. The dentist will talk to the parent right away for immediate treatment. Scaling and root planing may be necessary. Proper gum care at home is important to keep the condition from worsening.

Oral cancer

This is a serious oral condition. Oral cancer is more treatable and controllable in its early stages. The dentist will check the child’s tongue, gums, and cheeks. Any lesions or unusual textures may lead to a more comprehensive oral cancer test. The screening will include diagnostic imaging exams like dental X-rays. If the results are clear, the child and the parent can go home after the dental checkup for kids with peace of mind.

Cosmetic dental problems

Poor dental health is not the only thing that a dental checkup for kids can detect. Cosmetic dental issues can also surface with the help of the dentist’s well-trained eyes. Dental stains, chipping, and cracks can receive treatments right away during a dental checkup for kids. The dentist can also identify malocclusions and jaw issues that need a more specific treatment. Referring the patient to another dentist may occur before the dental checkup for kids ends.

Salivary gland disorders and masses

The dentist may detect possible salivary gland infections that can be either viral or bacterial. Viral infections can cause symptoms like discomfort, pain, and difficulty eating. These infections do not cause gland tenderness and fevers. Bacterial infections cause the salivary glands to enlarge. This condition often occurs with symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and pain.

JRS, or juvenile recurrent sialadenitis, is a type of salivary gland swelling. Bacteria or viruses do not cause this condition. JRS is a swelling of the parotid salivary gland. It is painful and recurs at least twice a year. The dentist may need to refer the child to a doctor for severe JRS and severe cases of infection.

The dentist may also detect a salivary gland mass during a dental checkup for kids. Most of these growths are not cancerous. A parotid gland hemangioma is the most common type of mass that a dentist can find. There is usually no treatment for these hemangiomas. The dental checkup for kids may also detect other types of masses. This would then need a referral to a children’s doctor for more extensive screening and diagnosis.