Kids, like adults, should go to the dentist twice a year for oral exams and dental cleanings. Routine, preventative dental care isn’t just necessary to maintaining good oral health. It’s also essential for maintaining overall health. Poor oral hygiene has been linked with various chronic and severe conditions, including endocarditis, cardiovascular disease, and pneumonia. Fortunately, good oral hygiene habits, including regular pediatric dental exams and cleanings, can help kids build lifelong oral health.
What Happens During a Child’s Dental Exam?
Dental exams for children serve preventative and diagnostic purposes. During each appointment, your pediatric dentist will perform a comprehensive oral exam. They will look for any signs of changes in soft tissue, inflammation in the gums, and tooth decay.
Reduced-radiation digital x-rays will also be taken during some, but not all, dental exams. The x-ray images will allow your pediatric dentist to see beneath the tissues to confirm your child is free of cysts, tumors, infections, and problems in bone structure. Digital x-rays can also show decay inside teeth that may not be visible to the naked eye.
Once the diagnostic portion of the dental exam is complete, your child will have a thorough cleaning. This cleaning is necessary to remove plaque and tartar. Unfortunately, even with excellent brushing and flossing habits, not all plaque and tartar can be removed at home. The dentist or dental hygienist will remove this during the cleaning to prevent gum disease and cavities.
After the exam and cleaning, your pediatric dentist may recommend one of several preventative treatments for your child. The most common are fluoride treatments and dental sealants. Fluoride is essential for healthy mineralization within the teeth. If your dentist notices white spots on the teeth, this can signify demineralization. Fluoride treatments are completely painless for your child.
If your child’s teeth, particularly the back molars, have deep grooves or crevices, your dentist may also recommend dental sealants. Teeth with deep grooves tend to accumulate bacteria that can lead to cavities. Dental sealants fill in some of the grooves, serving as a safeguard from cavity-causing bacteria. Sealants are painless treatments for children of all ages.
Comfortable Dental Care for Children
Innovative dental technology prioritizes your child's comfort during routine dental exams and cleanings. Designed for greater comfort and less stress for fearful kids, technologically advanced tools, techniques, and treatments ensure your child remains pain-free during their appointment. Advanced technologies used include:
- Reduced-radiation digital x-rays
- Digital intraoral cameras
- Nitrous oxide sedation (laughing gas)
- Ultra quiet electric handpieces
- Digital cavity detection
- Soft tissue lasers
- Digital televisions next to patient chairs allow your child to watch television
Pediatric Dentist Specialist Serving Brooklyn, NY
Dr. Liza Idelchik is Brooklyn’s favorite pediatric dentist. At Advanced Dental Group in Sheepshead Bay, Dr. Idelchik is a Merit award recipient from the American Association of Pediatric Dentists. She provides comprehensive pediatric dentistry to infants, toddlers, and children. Dr. Idelchik also devotes a portion of each dental appointment to educating children on the vital role that good oral hygiene habits play in maintaining a beautiful, healthy smile for years to come. To schedule a dental appointment for your child, send us a message or call 718-376-1666.