According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, parents should take their children to visit a dentist for kids twice a year. These biannual visits enable the dentist to monitor the child's dental development, assess changes in the mouth, and offer recommendations for the child's oral health. That said, the child may need a dental checkup before the regular date.
The dentist will determine the frequency of a child's dental checkups after considering certain factors, including the risk of dental cavities, the number of cavity cases in the past, and the health risks associated with having dental decay (e.g., if the child has a health condition such as heart disease or diabetes). To accurately assess the child's risk of cavities, the dentist for kids will evaluate the child's diet, level of oral hygiene practices, and the amount of fluoride that the child receives.
Whether the child is a toddler, child, or adolescent, the dentist will give the parents the results of the cavity risk assessment. A child who has minimal risk of developing cavities may only need one dental checkup per year. Children at high risk may need to visit as often as four times per year. As the child grows older, the dentist for kids will likely recommend a dental checkup once every six months. During these visits, the dental team will provide suggestions on proper brushing, flossing, and diet. The exams also enable the dentist to detect cavities early, preventing the need for costly dental procedures later.
The dentist will do a thorough medical history check and examine the child's teeth and jaw during their initial visit to the office. Parents need to inform the dentist if the child's health has changed since their last appointment. Here are the steps to anticipate during a child's dental checkups.
Regular visits to the pediatric dentist every six months are suggested for optimal oral health, but children with persistent problems, like cavities, gum irritation, or tooth decay, should see the dentist every three months. It is essential to ensure adequate cleaning and that the adult teeth will emerge in a healthy oral environment because recurring concerns may become troublesome for children just beginning to form dental habits. Taking care of the baby teeth is crucial so the adult teeth can come in without problems.
Decay or cavities progress faster in baby teeth than adult teeth because the enamel is thinner. During the child's appointment, the dentist for kids will perform essential tasks, such as checking that the teeth are erupting when they are due and in the right position. Also, the information that parents learn from the dentist is crucial for the child's oral development. Parents must know how to keep their children's teeth free of cavities because it is a routine that the child will hopefully maintain into adulthood.
Regular dental visits teach the children the importance of dentist appointments and help them cultivate good dental habits. It also familiarizes them with the way that dental appointments work and enables them to create a lasting relationship with the dentist. This is important in case of future dental procedures.
Usually, the decision on how often a child has dental checkups should be made by the dentist, the parent, and the child. It is common for the dentist, as the expert, to make the recommendation, though the parent and the patient should be able to ask questions if they do not understand the reason. Also, if anything happens, such as a dental emergency, parents can always book an appointment ahead of their due date.
Request an appointment here: https://www.camelbackpedoortho.com or call Camelback Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics at (602) 362-7072 for an appointment in our Phoenix office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dentist for Kids in Phoenix, AZ.
Concerned about your child's pacifier use? Read on to find out why it is important to break that habit sooner rather than later. Breaking an ingrained habit in a child is a difficult task. As a kid grows older and their behavior persists, it becomes important to seek a professional for dental habit counseling. According…
At least once in their toddler years, a child will experience a chipped tooth. Just imagine how rowdy kids can be at four or five years old. They will play, run around, do sports, and chip their tooth in the process. While it is nothing to be worried about, some parents will see this as…
A pediatric dentist prefers to take a proactive approach regarding the health of their patients’ teeth. They offer preventative care that ensures that primary and permanent teeth stay healthy.You might be wondering if there is any reason to take care of baby teeth, since they fall out eventually. The truth is that the health of…
When parents hear that the kids need to have a root canal, their minds begin to race. Why do the kids need this procedure? Isn’t the root canal painful? Is there no other way to save the tooth? Why did it happen in the first place? Parents might have to look at the family’s eating…
Concerned about your child's pacifier use? Read on to find out why it is important to break that habit sooner rather than later. Breaking an ingrained habit in a child is a difficult task. As a kid grows older and their behavior persists, it becomes important to seek a professional for dental habit counseling. According…
At least once in their toddler years, a child will experience a chipped tooth. Just imagine how rowdy kids can be at four or five years old. They will play, run around, do sports, and chip their tooth in the process. While it is nothing to be worried about, some parents will see this as…