We’re in a new year, which means now is a great time to schedule your child’s first visit of 2024! These visits can help smiles in childhood stay free of tooth decay. At your Lake Orion, MI, dentist office, we’re ready to help improve the health and function of your child’s smile with a dental checkup.
When Kids Need a Checkup
Children need a checkup visit about once every six months starting at around age two, but the initial visit should happen once the first baby tooth erupts, usually at age once. The issues that threaten little smiles, such as tooth decay, misalignment, and airway obstruction, don’t form overnight. Checking in with them every few months allows our team to keep a close eye on the smile as it grows and changes, identify areas of concern early, and often before kids experience painful symptoms, such as toothaches or sore gums. These visits also help them better understand the interior of good oral health, and avoid the risk of dental anxiety in their teen and adult years. They will be more likely to continue care in adulthood too!
The Exam Process
During your child’s exam, our team will use digital x-rays and intraoral cameras to obtain clear and precise images of the smile so we can make a diagnosis with accuracy. Our team will look for signs of cavities, infection, gingivitis, and issues that could upset bite balance and alignment, such as baby teeth not falling out on time or prematurely, which impacts how the permanent teeth erupt. We can also clean the teeth, removing the plaque and tartar buildup before it can weaken enamel or inflame the gums. This also fights teeth stains and bad breath in little smiles too!
Fluoride Treatments
Our team can provide holistic treatments to limit the risk of tooth decay too. For example, we can apply fluoride to the teeth during their exams, which strengthens the outer enamel to keep cavities at bay. This is why kids also need to use a fluoride toothpaste at home. We also have dental sealants, a topical acrylic coating we add to the rear teeth to cover them and prevent food and drink particles from being stuck between them. Since kids have trouble reaching these teeth when they brush and floss, this limits the risk of cavities for years to come.
If you have any questions about how we safeguard little smiles and keep them strong and healthy, or if you want to schedule a visit for a checkup, then contact our team today to learn more.
TALK TO YOUR LAKE ORION, MI, DENTIST ABOUT PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY
Our team wants to help kids enjoy strong and healthy smiles with holistic dental care. Find out more about our approach to children’s dentistry by contacting Lake Orion Family Dentistry at (248)693-6213!
