How a Children’s Oral Health Exam Can Protect Your Child’s Teeth

Parents are responsible for prioritizing not only a child's physical health but their oral health as well. Pediatric dentistry visits are an important part of caring for young teeth and gums. Scheduling an oral health exam on a routine basis can help protect your child's mouth for a strong and beautiful smile.

Protective steps in an oral health exam

There are many parts to an oral health exam and each plays a role in detecting and preventing oral health issues, such as:

• Tooth decay.
• Gum disease.
• Alignment problems.
• Development issues.
• Infections.
• Bruxism.

Seeing a dentist every six months is the standard for keeping a child's teeth and gums well protected.

Tartar removal

Professional cleanings are less extensive in younger children and may only involve brushing and flossing. However, once a child reaches the preschool years, a dentist may gradually introduce scaling and polishing instruments to help remove plaque and tartar buildup. This step significantly reduces the risks of cavities by protecting the teeth from enamel erosion and the soft tissues from bacterial buildup.

Visual examination

Dentists have the training and experience needed to detect potential problems, often just by sight. By checking your child's teeth, a pediatric dentistry professional can look for issues with size and spacing, bite pattern, staining, and general tooth wear and tear. All of these can point to larger issues that can be prevented with simple lifestyle changes and home care habits. Others can be corrected with professional treatments.

X-rays and imaging

For potential problems below the surface, X-rays can be used to detect issues before noticeable symptoms develop. When your child receives their first X-ray will vary based on age, dental history, and their ability to keep still for the procedure, even though it is painless. The frequency of dental X-rays will also depend on your child's medical and dental history. Patients with signs of decay or a history of multiple cavities may need X-rays every six months. Others can wait a year between them. Either way, X-rays can help dentists detect small problems before they turn into big ones.

Preventive treatments

Many dentists recommend optional treatments that can be very beneficial in preventing cavities, especially in children. Kids are more prone to cavities because of their thinner tooth enamel, their proclivity for sweets, their active lifestyles (dental injuries can increase the risks for decay), and their tendency to place their hands or foreign objects in their mouths. Topical fluoride varnish treatments at regular dental exams can help remineralize teeth and strengthen enamel. Dental sealants cover the deep grooves in molars, preventing up to 80% more cavities in these regions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sealants are usually recommended around age 6.