Getting the Most Out of Dental Checkups

Getting the Most Out of Dental Checkups

Dental checkups are essential to keep your child’s mouth healthy and free from disease. To best prepare your child for each trip to KiDDS Dental, you need to be aware of what happens during an oral examination.

Your child’s first dental checkup should come after his or her first tooth comes in or by the child’s first birthday, whichever comes first. Following that first visit, most children will need to visit us twice a year—more if they’re high risk.

Dental examinations for children typically last about 30 minutes and are pain-free. We will clean your child’s teeth, and then assess his or her risk of tooth decay. Dental x-rays might be taken to reveal any existing decay, and we will check to see how your child’s teeth fit together.

During the examination, we will discuss your child’s oral hygiene habits and diet—for instance, we may suggest alternatives to sugary drinks. We can demonstrate proper brushing and flossing techniques for you and your child. For adolescents, we may discuss health risks associated with oral piercings and tobacco use.

If any problems become apparent, Dr. Jared will let you know whether special care is needed. We may suggest protective sealants to protect and fluoride treatments to help strengthen your child’s teeth.

Schedule an office visit during a time of day when your child is well rested and more likely to be cooperative. It’s important to explain the dental visit to your child in positive terms. Talk about the benefits of a dental visit, and remind your child that you get dental checkups too. Let us know about any fears your child may have about coming in to see us.

Regular dental checkups are important for good oral health and prevention of decay. Make sure you don’t neglect your child’s teeth—call our office to set up an appointment. And should any aspect of your child’s health change, let us know so we can make any necessary dental treatment changes.

Click here to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jared. Or give us a call at (509)-891-7070.