Key Preventive Services From a Kids Dentist

A kids dentist provides preventive care services to help ensure healthy smiles as children grow. From guarding against tooth decay to recognizing early smile alignment issues, a pediatric dentist helps protect against dental issues commonly affecting children. A kids dentist helps set children up for life-long oral health through these preventive services.

Important preventive services from a pediatric dentist

A kids dentist will make different treatment recommendations depending on the child. For example, a dentist may recommend mouthguards for children active in sports or space maintainers for children who lose baby teeth too early. However, the following preventive services are recommended for most kids.

Dental cleanings

All children should have regular cleanings, about once every six months. Brushing and flossing alone do not remove everything. Therefore, periodically a kids dentists needs to use special tools to remove plaque and tartar buildup from kids teeth, This is typically followed by flossing and polishing of the enamel. Regular cleanings are an important part of preventing cavities and gum issues in children.

Dental checkups

Along with cleaning, a child should have a regular dental checkup at least once every six months, starting at age one or within six months of the first tooth erupting. These checkups usually occur right after the dental cleaning and allow the dentist to catch problems early when they are easier to treat. These regular checkups can help prevent the need for more costly procedures later on.

X-rays

Dental X-rays are used to view internal images of the teeth and jaw, structures a kids dentist cannot see during a regular checkup. With these scans, the dentist can monitor a child’s tooth development and ensure teeth are erupting as they should. Additionally, the dentist can identify and early signs of tooth decay or orthodontic issues that can worsen without early treatment.

Dental sealants

Children's molars are especially vulnerable to developing cavities because the biting surfaces of these molars tend to have deep grooves and fissures. Luckily, a kids dentist can provide protection through dental sealants. During a simple procedure, the dentist paints a clear protective coating on the biting surfaces of the molars and premolars and hardens it using a special light. Once completed, these sealants fill the groves and fissures, keeping plaque and tartar out.

Flouride treatments

Regular fluoride treatments can strengthen the enamel of children’s teeth, making it harder for bacteria to cause cavities. Fluoride is a mineral that strengthens tooth enamel and is used by doctors and dentists worldwide as a cavity-prevention treatment. Typically, the dentist paints each side of the tooth with a fluoride varnish, which hardens quickly. Children should have these treatments every three to six months, depending on their cavity risk.