Don’t Forget Your Child’s Back to School Dental Checkup
Good dental checkup health is important for every member of your family, including your children. Children should first see the dentist no later than six months after their first tooth erupts, and then every year thereafter. At Dental Express in San Diego, CA, we encourage all parents to schedule their child’s back to school dental visit quickly. Pediatric dentistry focuses on the growth of the teeth and looks for potential problems that can be resolved quickly. Our dentists can provide helpful advice on how to care for the teeth from home. Our dental team prides ourselves on offering a comfortable place for your children to have their teeth and gums examined.
Who is the best candidate for pediatric dentistry?
Children can experience tooth decay or cavities when they are as young as two years old. At Dental Express, we specialize in family dentistry and preventive dentistry that helps keep your child healthy. Keeping your child’s teeth in good health while they get their adult teeth helps to prevent future decay or alignment problems. We can recommend procedures, such as orthodontics, fluoride treatments, or kids sealants at a back to school dental exam.
What happens during a child’s dental exam?
A back to school dental exam in San Diego, CA includes:
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Teeth cleaning: During this procedure, we will remove any tartar or plaque from on or between the teeth.
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X-rays: We will take x-rays to detect any problems that cannot be seen with the naked eye.
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Dental exam: Our pediatric dentist will closely examine the teeth, gums, and jawbone to detect tooth decay.
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Fluoride: We may suggest fluoride treatment that will help prevent tooth decay, which leaves your children’s teeth strong.
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Hygiene education: We will teach you and your child the best ways to care for their teeth and gums at home.
After the exam is complete, our kid’s dentist will discuss any issues we saw. Based on these findings, we may make suggestions for treatments that will help minimize the chance of developing tooth decay or help to strengthen their teeth. A treatment plan will be created for each patient to fix any teeth that may be damaged, broken, or chipped. As your child grows, we may suggest ways to straighten their bite to prevent more serious dental problems. A follow-up visit may be scheduled to monitor the teeth and gums, and to ensure at-home oral hygiene is efficient.
Why dental hygiene routines at home are important
We encourage you to teach your kids about good oral hygiene. Kids should brush twice a day for two minutes and floss daily. Oral hygiene habits will vary with the child’s age. For children six and under, be present when your child is brushing to help them to reach new molars that need more thorough brushing. For older children, encourage healthy hygiene habits by offering small rewards for brushing and flossing, such as 15 minutes of screen time.
Will my insurance cover pediatric dentistry?
In most instances, a child’s dental exam and cleaning are paid by insurance. If we deem a procedure or treatment medically necessary, we will check with your insurance company to provide you specifics on your financial obligations (if applicable). We also offer low-interest financing to those without insurance to ensure that their child’s dental care remains affordable.
Schedule a back to school dental exam today
Help your child understand how important good dental health is for their overall health. At Dental Express in San Diego, CA, our dental team believes it’s important to start having dental exams early on. This allows us to minimize future dental checkup problems and the need for extensive and costly dental procedures. To schedule a dental exam for your child, call our San Diego, CA office today.