Schedule Two Pediatric Dental Cleanings Per Year
Twice-yearly dental checkup appointments are particularly important for children because as they grow, their bodies change, leading to different dental needs and exposure to different conditions. A pediatric dental check-up typically includes:
- Teeth cleaning to remove plaque buildup – we offer several flavors to get your child excited about the experience.
- Fluoride treatment if your child is of appropriate age to strengthen the tooth enamel.
- Thorough examination of teeth, jawbones, and oral tissues to check for any possible issues.
- Practice brushing, flossing or swishing with your child if needed.
- Dental X-Rays.
While there is no rule on the date your child will get his/her first dental x-ray, some children may be at higher risk for dental problems (those who’ve had baby bottle tooth decay, pacifiers or with cleft lip/palate) should have X-rays earlier than others. However, most children have their dental x-rays by the age of 3 or 4. At about 6, x-rays play an important role in helping your dentist see if all the adult teeth are growing in the jaw, to look for bite problems, and to determine if teeth are clean and healthy.
Why is it important to see a pediatric dentist vs. a regular dentist? A pediatric dentist is trained to be a kids dentist…
A pediatric dentist has at least two additional years of training beyond dental school. The additional training focuses on management and treatment of a child’s developing teeth, child behavior, physical growth and development, and the special needs of children’s dentistry. Dr. Baker completed his two-year pediatric dentistry residency at University of Tennessee, with special training completed at Le Bohner Children’s, St. Jude and Crittenden Memorial Hospitals.
Although either type of dentist can address your child’s oral health care needs, a pediatric dentist, his or her staff, and even the office dècor are all geared to care for children and to put them at ease. If your child has special needs, care from a pediatric dentist should be considered. At Medplex Pediatric Dentistry, we also have Sister and Sugar, our comfort dogs, available to soothe your child’s concerns.
Adapted from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/10965-your-childs-first-dental-visit
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Pediatric Dental Associates serves as a top rated pediatric dentist for Alabaster, Birmingham, Hoover, Helena, and Pelham, AL.