Cleaning
During a usual dental appointment, the dentist or dental hygienist will perform a thorough professional dental cleaning on your child's teeth. This procedure is the same whether your child has primary or adult teeth.
The cleaning will consist of scaling to remove any tartar build-up, professional flossing, and polishing.
Check-up
The dentist will also assess your child’s teeth, gums, jaw, and the interior of their mouth to look for any problems, such as gingivitis, tooth decay, oral abnormalities, and misalignments of the teeth or jaw.
X-Rays
To help detect problems that aren't visible to the naked eye, the dentist or hygienist will occasionally perform an X-ray on your child’s teeth.
The dentist will only perform an X-ray when necessary. Their frequency depends on a variety of factors, such as your child’s general oral health, thier risk for dental disease, and stage of oral development.
Fluoride
Fluoride is a mineral found in soil, water, and some foods. Fluoride is imperative for oral health and development because it strengthens tooth enamel, making teeth more resistant to decay. In some cases, it can even reverse decay that has already started to develop.
It's important for everyone to get enough fluoride, but especially for children because their teeth are still growing and developing.
During your child’s dental appointment, your dentist will talk to you about your child’s fluoride requirements, and together you'll settle on a course of fluoride delivery. This may include in-office fluoride treatments or fluoride products like toothpaste and mouthwash.
Tips & Techniques
At the end of the appointment, your child's dentist or hygienist will go over proper at-home dental hygiene with you and your child (if your kid is old enough to understand).
This will consist of tips and advice on proper brushing and flossing techniques, oral health-friendly dietary information, and much more.
They will also be happy to answer any questions or concerns you might have regarding your child’s oral health.
Scheduling a Follow-Up Appointment
If your child has a cavity or another oral health problem, our administration team will arrange a follow-up appointment to monitor or treat it. You can schedule this appointment at our office, or call us during our office hours.