About 13% of children have untreated dental caries. Visiting the best pediatric dentist in town can reduce your child’s risk of cavities. Instead, you can gain the expertise you need to improve your child’s dental health.
Here are seven questions to ask a pediatric dentist during your next visit to their offices. Asking these questions can help you make more informed decisions regarding your child.
You can protect their dental health, which can benefit their overall health, too.
Keep reading to discover the questions you need to ask during your next dentist visit.
1. When Should I Take My Child in for the First Time?
You should take your child in for their first dentist visit by their first birthday.
Taking your child to their pediatric dentist at a young age can help them get comfortable in the dentist’s chair. It also gives you the chance to learn more about your child’s teeth.
If your child is using a cup instead of a bottle, and doesn’t snack in the middle of the night, you can wait until age 2. Otherwise, make sure to schedule a visit every six months.
Once your child is between the ages of 4 and 6, the dentist might recommend their first set of X-rays. X-rays will help your pediatric dentist check for signs of cavities between their teeth.
Once your child turns 6, it’s important to focus on prevention.
Between the ages of 6 and 12, their baby teeth will give way to their permanent teeth.
At this point, your pediatric dentist might suggest sealant. Sealant is a plastic resin. It binds to a tooth’s surface.
The dentist will likely focus on your child’s cavity-prone molars. The resin will keep cavity-causing bacteria from hiding between the grooves and valleys on your child’s teeth.
Once your child turns 7, your dentist might recommend an orthodontic evaluation.
If you’re not sure when to take your child in for their first appointment, Google “pediatric dentist near me.” The best pediatric dentist in town can help you make informed decisions regarding your child’s dental care. With their help, you can minimize the chances your child will experience tooth decay.
Waiting too long for the first dentist visit, however, could put their dental health at risk.
Their First Visit
Consider asking the dentist what you should expect from your child’s first appointment, too. Usually, the dentist will perform a brief examination. They’ll review your child’s teeth, jaw, and gms.
They might recommend a fluoride varnish during this appointment, too.
Is your child nervous about their first dentist visit? Ask the dentist if they offer sedation services.
Sedation could help your child relax if they’re experiencing dental anxiety.
2. Is My Child Too Young for a Dental X-ray?
Remember, the dentist will likely recommend scheduling your child’s first set of X-rays when they’re around 4 years old. However, some parents are concerned about their children’s safety.
X-rays are a normal part of dentist visits for adults. However, you might feel worried about exposing a child to radiation at a young age.
Talk to your dentist about the risks involved. You can also ask the dentist about the type of X-rays they use.
For example, many offices now use digital X-rays, which are safer than traditional X-rays.
3. What is the Proper Technique for Cleaning Their Teeth?
Take the time to ask your pediatric dentist for advice about cleaning your child’s teeth. It’s important to use the right techniques. Otherwise, you might struggle to clean every tooth.
Ask the dentist when your child should start flossing, too.
You don’t want to leave plaque or food particles between your child’s teeth. Otherwise, they could develop cavities or gum disease. Here are a few tips to help prevent cavities in children.
4. What Toothbrush and Toothpaste Should They Use?
Talk to your pediatric dentist about the type of toothbrush and toothpaste your child should use.
For example, they might recommend toothpaste with low amounts of fluoride. Fluoride could protect your child’s teeth from decay.
If your child is old enough to rinse and spit by themselves, your dentist might recommend mouthwash, too. Mouthwash can minimize the accumulation of bacteria.
Your pediatric dentist can help make different recommendations. They’ll help you determine which is best for your child’s dental care.
5. What if They Chip or Crack a Tooth?
Children are naturally accident-prone. Ask the dentist what you should do if your child chips or cracks a tooth. Consider looking for a dentist that offers emergency services, too.
If the crack is too large, it could affect your child’s nerves. Make sure to seek professional help as soon as possible. Collect any pieces of the tooth if you can.
6. Does My Child Need Orthodontics?
Your dentist might recommend an orthodontic evaluation by the time your child turns 7. Ask if they think your child needs orthodontics sooner. Scheduling treatment while they’re young could prove beneficial.
Their jaw and teeth might respond to treatment better while your child is younger. Straightening their teeth can improve their dental health, too. Otherwise, bacteria could get trapped between their teeth.
Their risk of dental caries or gum disease might increase as a result.
If their teeth are crooked, it could increase their risk of an accident.
Does your child have overcrowded teeth? The dentist might recommend braces. Other oral appliances could help treat the problem, too.
Instead, talk to your dentist about the best options for your child’s dental care.
7. How Often Do We Need to Visit?
Usually, dentists recommend you schedule an appointment every six months. Based on your child’s dental health needs, however, you might need to visit more often.
Ask the dentist how often you need to schedule your child’s dental visits. They can work with you to develop a plan for your child’s long-term dental care.
Schedule a Dentist Visit: 7 Questions to Ask Your Pediatric Dentist During the Visit
Asking your pediatric dentist these seven questions can ensure you’re more informed about your child’s dental care. Consider scheduling a dentist visit for a consultation appointment. The sooner you visit, the sooner you can help your child!
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Contact us today to get started.