Check-Ups & Cleanings
Las Vegas, NV
 While modern dental technologies have resulted in the development of many advanced restorative procedures, the first goal of pediatric dentistry is disease prevention. Preventive dentistry focuses on teaching you and your child how best to care for their teeth and keep them healthy for their entire life.
Our professionals at Changing Smiles Pediatric Dentistry can achieve this through regular dental checkups, which include exams and cleanings. In addition, they can offer guidance on proper home care practices that are necessary for good oral health.
What Happens During a Pediatric Exam?
When your child comes in for their dental exam, our dental hygienist will carefully inspect their teeth and gums. Depending on their age, they may also receive x-rays. Generally, x-rays are taken every few years to track your child’s oral development and to check for any underlying abnormalities. Very young children will not receive x-rays unless necessary for a more involved procedure.
Our team will also clean your child’s teeth and floss them. They will provide feedback on your child’s oral hygiene habits and let you know if you need to change anything that you are doing to care for your child’s teeth. Depending on your child’s needs, they may also recommend that they receive a fluoride treatment. This decision is based on their oral health and age at the time of the appointment.
How Often Should My Child Receive Professional Cleanings?
Your child should receive professional cleanings every six months. They should have their first visit within six months of getting their first tooth, or by the time that they have turned one year old. If your child has already passed this window, it is not too late. Coming to see our professionals as soon as possible for a dental checkup can allow us to get them back on track.
Cleanings in these intervals allow our team to catch any abnormal developments early on and correct them. The longer your child goes between cleanings, the more at risk they are for developing oral decay and other health concerns.
What Else Should I Do to Care for My Child’s Teeth?
On top of receiving regular preventative care from our team, your child should also practice good home hygiene. The most important part of this is regular brushing. Your child should brush their teeth two times per day for two minutes per session. They should also floss once per day to remove any debris that is lodged between their teeth.
Using the right toothbrush is also important for preventative dental care. Younger children should have a toothbrush that has a small brush head and a large handle. This protects them from choking hazards. If your child is a little older, you can let them choose their own toothbrush that features a favorite character.
All of these processes are geared to teaching good habits early on and protecting their baby teeth. Your child’s baby teeth are vital to their normal development. If you would like to learn more about the importance of preventative dental treatments or are ready to get your child established with a team that cares, contact our team at Changing Smiles Pediatric Dentistry. You can reach our office by calling today. |
