Dental Examination for Children

Dental Examination for Children

Overview

Raising a child is a journey full of rewards and challenges. Fortunately, there are many opportunities to provide your child with healthy and safe life decisions and build a solid foundation for the child to grow. Oral hygiene begins as early as infancy. However, as the baby grows and expected changes occur, he or she begins to develop teeth to chew food. Brushing practices for children’s dental health can be improved continuously as age progresses. It is usually recommended that a child see a dentist by the age of one or within six months of the appearance of their first tooth. Children’s dental examinations are an important part of preventive health care. A dentist will clean your child’s teeth and assess his or her risk of tooth decay during a dental examination.

Why are child dental examinations important?

Children’s dental examinations are an essential part of preventive health care. As a caring parent, you should begin taking your child to a pediatric dentist near you as soon as their first baby tooth appears. Several parents will ignore this, believing that baby teeth will be replaced with permanent ones soon. The earlier you begin caring for your child’s teeth, the better their oral health will be as they grow. At about nine months, many primary care dentists will add a protective fluoride coating to a child’s teeth. Your pediatric dentist will keep the child’s teeth healthy by removing dental plaque and food particles that may have become lodged in the teeth. This is a vital part of dental care because it prevents bacteria from growing, which can lead to other dental diseases like tooth decay or inflammation of the gums. The dentist or hygienist will clean your child’s teeth and assess his or her risk of tooth decay during a dental examination. A dentist will most likely discuss your child’s diet and oral hygiene habits with you and explain brushing techniques. Normally, child dental examinations reduce the risk of decay. In some cases, the pediatric dental examination also includes dental X-rays or other diagnostic procedures. Professional oral examination aids in the protection of your child’s oral health.

When do you start brushing your child’s teeth?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association suggest that the best time for a child’s first dental examination is no later than their first birthday or 6 months after the first tooth appears. A good oral hygiene routine combined with regular dental checkups can help you detect the problem early and prevent it from worsening. It can eliminate the risks of cavity development. However, several factors, such as your child’s age, health, and the threat of tooth decay, may influence how frequently he or she requires a dental examination.

How will you prepare your child for a dental examination?

Before your child’s first dental examination, consider whether you will feel more at ease taking your child to your family dentist. Pediatric dentists frequently have child-cordial clinics and equipment designed specifically for children. Many pediatric dentists keep interesting games, video games, kids’ magazines, and possibly a fish tank in the waiting area of the clinic to help children overcome anxiety and fear. When a child has a pleasant experience at the dentist, he or she may be willing to return every six months for a checkup. Gum-cleaning routines will help your child become familiar with a routine dental checkup at a young age. It helps your child relax during their first dental visit. Starting from their first dentist visit, it is critical to have a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for the child. It is advisable not to go into detail about any bad dental experiences you might have had.

What can you expect in the exam room?

During the exam, the dentist may place your child on a table or exam chair, or you may be asked to hold your child on your lap. A dentist will examine your child’s oral hygiene, overall health, his or her eating habits, and the likelihood of tooth decay. A dentist will gently clean stains or deposits from your child’s teeth with a wet toothbrush or wet cloth. He or she  will demonstrate proper tooth brushing techniques and will also determine how much fluoride your child is getting from his or her diet and oral hygiene products and then prescribe a fluoride supplement or use a topical fluoride treatment on your child’s teeth if necessary.

Additionally, a dentist will examine your child’s tongue, insides of cheeks, and roof of the mouth for sores or bumps. Also, he will examine the effects of habits like sucking thumbs and tongue thrusting, lip sucking, and other developmental milestones. Pediatric dentists will perform a routine examination, look for tooth decay, check your child’s gums, jaw, and bite, and look for frenum issues or other problems that may affect teeth or speech patterns. A dentist will advise you on how best you can care for your child’s mouth, and they will answer any questions you may have.

What is the dental examination like for preschoolers, school-going children, and adolescents?

The dentist or hygienist will continue to assess your child’s oral hygiene, overall health, eating habits, and risk of tooth decay at each checkup. He may take digital dental X-rays or perform other diagnostic procedures as needed. The dentist may use sealants, which are thin, outer protective coatings on back teeth prone to decay. Besides, he may be able to fill cavities or fix tooth defects. A dentist will correct any issues with your child’s upper and lower teeth. He also discusses the potential risks of sucking, jaw clenching, and nail-biting with your child. The dentist may suggest pre-orthodontic treatment, such as a specific mouthpiece or orthodontic treatment, such as braces, to straighten your child’s teeth or adjust the bite.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do dentists examine the teeth of toddlers?

X-rays can also be used to see if a primary tooth’s root is impacting an adult tooth. However, young children should not have dental X-rays unless they are necessary.

How frequently should a child’s teeth be examined?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry advises regular dental checkups, with the most prevalent interval being every 6 months.

When should a two-year-old be brushed?

Teeth should be cleaned twice a day, in the morning and before bedtime. Brush your child’s teeth with a small, soft toothbrush crafted for children under the age of two.

What natural teeth-whitening remedies are available?

Combine a tablespoon of salt in 20 ml of warm water and vigorously move it around in your mouth. Repeat for at least a minute before rinsing, spitting, and repeating. This will effectively extract all of the hidden bacteria.