Just like an adult, your child should receive regular cleanings and checkups once every 6 months (twice a year). Our goal is to make these visits fun and easy for your child. Some children may need to come in more than twice a year if they have an increased risk for tooth decay or other conditions.
After your child’s first visit, regular teeth cleanings should begin around age 3. Even if your child never gets cavities, regular cleanings by a dental professional remove buildup that brushing and flossing alone can’t remove.
What Happens During a Pediatric Dental Checkup?
When you bring your child to our pediatric dentistry office in Amarillo for a regular cleaning and checkup appointment, our caring doctor will review your child’s health history, perform an oral exam, take any needed dental X-rays, and gently clean and polish the teeth.
Regular checkups are key to assessing and treating changes in your child’s oral health. After reviewing your child’s medical history, your pediatric dentist will examine the teeth, jaws, and soft tissues to ensure that everything is healthy. In accordance with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s guidelines, X-rays will only be advised when they are necessary to protect your child’s dental health. No scans will be taken without the explicit permission of a parent or caregiver.
Your doctor will discuss any recommended treatment with you and your child to ensure that everyone feels comfortable before moving forward. We take care to use simple explanations and pictures to help children understand their oral health. X-ray findings will be shown and discussed as well. We may also recommend orthodontic treatment, dietary changes, or other treatments when necessary to protect and improve your child’s health.
Cleanings and Treatments
After the examination, your child’s teeth will be cleaned and polished by a skilled member of our dental assistant team. Our staff specializes in motivating children to care for their smile, and we will teach your child how to properly take care of their teeth. The cleaning is usually followed by a fluoride treatment for added protection against tooth decay. If you and your dentist decided on another treatment, such as sealants to protect the teeth, that treatment might also be applied during the same appointment.
Top Benefits of Fluoride
Fluoride is a natural mineral found in your bones and teeth, as well as in water, soil, plants, and rocks. When used in dentistry, it strengthens enamel and prevents cavities. Benefits include:
- Reverses early signs of tooth decay
- Prevents the growth of harmful bacteria
- Slows down mineral loss in tooth enamel
- Rebuilds weakened tooth enamel
Maintain Space in the Dental Arch
If a baby tooth falls out too soon, or if a baby tooth needs to be extracted due to decay, a dental spacer can be used to maintain space in the dental arch. A space maintainer is custom-made by a dentist and attached to a nearby tooth. This prevents other teeth from sliding into the space that’s being saved for the permanent tooth.
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Other Questions? We’re Here to Help
If you have questions about a procedure, financing, or anything else, please reach out to us at any time. Our team is here to help, and we look forward to caring for you and your loved ones.