How Your Dentist Can Help Your Child With Oral Hygiene

Biannual checkups are important for patients of all ages, especially for young children who are learning to take care of their smiles. Your Ankeny, IA, dentist offers a caring approach to kids dentistry to help your little ones feel safe and comfortable at their appointment. In today’s blog, we’re here to talk about the benefits of pediatric checkups.

Exams Detect Changes Or Problems Early

Your child’s smile will change rapidly as they develop their first set of baby teeth, lose them, and begin to grow in their permanent pearly whites. Biannual checkups can help monitor these changes and developments and can alert your dentist if any concerns may arise. For example, if they have lost a tooth prematurely, their dentist can advise you on what to do. Other common problems, like cavities, can be spotted early and treated promptly so that significant damage does not occur. It’s likely that your kid will have at least one cavity in their lifetime, and if one does happen, a dental filling can be done promptly to treat the area and protect their tooth.

Fluoride And Sealants Can Protect Their Teeth

Tooth decay is fairly common among younger patients. This is due to a combination of reasons, including the fact that they are in the learning stage of their oral hygiene routine and may not have the fine motor skills to properly brush and floss. Even when you supervise their routine and bring them in for regular checkups, cavities can still happen. Additional prevention options, like fluoride treatments and sealants, can help protect their teeth from tooth decay. Fluoride can be applied after their biannual cleaning and can help restrengthen their enamel. Sealants may be applied when their molars erupt and can help prevent food particles from getting trapped in between the grooves and causing decay.

Checkups Can Provide A More Thorough Cleaning

When you bring your little one in for their biannual checkup, their teeth will be thoroughly cleaned before their examination. Their hygienist can use special tools to remove plaque buildup that their toothbrush may not be able to reach on their own. Their pearly whites will also be polished, and a fluoride treatment can be used to prevent bacteria from sticking to their teeth and forming cavities. These professional cleanings are also a great opportunity to educate your little one on the importance of oral hygiene and tips for better care. Remember to come in for your own cleaning as well to set a good example for your kids.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Kids checkups can ensure your little one’s teeth and gums are in good health. Call Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA, today at (515) 965-0230 to schedule your visit.