A child’s dental health is important and has a lot to do with oral health. Good oral and dental hygiene can help prevent bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that a child goes to the dentist by age 1 or within six months after the first tooth erupts. It is important to find a pediatric dentist near me and schedule a dental cleaning and check-up before any problems arise.
Most dental visits are checkups. Regular checkups will help your teeth stay cleaner, last longer and can prevent painful problems from developing. During the visit, Pediatric Dentist in West Palm Beach will show you how to clean your kid’s teeth and will discuss diet and fluoride needs. Also, she/ he will check for problems as tooth decay.
What is done during dental regular check-ups?
- Dental x-rays (radiographs): Depending on the age, risks of disease and symptoms, your dentist may recommend X-rays. These X-rays are used with low levels of radiation to capture images of the interior of the teeth and gums. They can diagnose problems otherwise unnoticed, such as damage to jawbones, impacted teeth, abscesses, cysts or tumors, and decay between the teeth. A modern dental office uses machines that emit virtually no radiation — no more than you would receive from a day in the sun or a weekend watching TV. Your dentist may ask for a panoramic radiography. This type of film provides a complete view of your upper and lower jaw in a single picture, and helps the dentist understand your bite and the relationship between the different teeth and your arch.
- Cleaning: Checkups almost always include a complete cleaning, either from your dentist or a dental hygienist. Using special instruments, a dental hygienist will scrape below the gum line, removing built-up plaque and tartar between teeth which helps prevent gum disease, cavities, bad breath and a host of additional overall health problems. Your dentist or hygienist may also polish and floss your teeth.
- Fluoride treatment: Fluoride varnish is a dental treatment that can help prevent tooth decay, slow it down, or stop it from getting worse. Fluoride promotes tooth remineralization and helps to make teeth more decay resistant. It, also, has antibacterial properties.
- A full examination: The children dentist in West Palm Beach will perform a thorough examination of your kid’s teeth, gums and mouth, looking for signs of disease or other problems. His or her goal is to help maintain your child good oral health and to prevent problems from becoming serious, by identifying and treating them as soon as possible.
It is recommended by the AAPD and the ADA that every kid have a routine six months cleaning and checkup. Protect your kid’s teeth by starting dental check-ups early. Preventive care from your children dentist can save time, money and teeth.
