Dental problems in adults have often been linked to a lack of poor dental hygiene during their infant years. You may not realize it yet, but poor dental hygiene in infants can lead to infections, periodontal diseases, diabetes, and a host of other problems that can mar the rest of the child’s adult life.
Nonetheless, by taking a keen interest in your child’s dental hygiene, you can protect them from these issues, and it all starts by taking them for their first dental exam. This blog post will vividly explain the procedure of a routine pediatric dental examination so you can feel more comfortable about taking your child for their first dental examination.
Let’s get started!
What to expect during a routine pediatric dental examination?
A pediatric dental examination is a simple procedure that can be overwhelming for children and parents without prior experience. However, the procedure is non-invasive, completely painless, and can be completed in as little as 10 minutes, depending on the needs of your child. Here are some things to expect from your childs first visit.
Familiarisation
This is the first phase of the dental examination. It involves getting you and your child comfortable in this new environment. Your child will have a tour of the office, equipment, and the staff that will be working with you during your examination.
During this phase, your child will be introduced to toys and other activities that can help them become more comfortable during the visit and other subsequent visits.
Discussion
Once the tour is complete, and your child is comfortable with his surroundings, the pediatrician will proceed to have a brief conversation with you (caregiver). The conversation will involve a discussion about your child’s diet and dental history as well as your dental history so that they can make a proper assessment of your child’s needs.
Oral examination and Caries Risk assessment
The oral examination involves a physical assessment of your child’s teeth. Here the pediatrician will position your child either in a knee-to-knee position or on a stool, depending on your child’s age and his ability to cooperate with the examination.
The pediatrician will examine your child’s teeth and gums and use this information to perform a caries risk assessment of your child. This essentially means evaluating the likely hood of your child getting cavities based on their dental condition and diet.
Toothbrush Prophylaxis
After the examination is complete, the next step is to perform a Toothbrush prophylaxis. This step involves using a toothbrush and fluoride-based toothpaste to remove plaque build-up from your child’s teeth. The Pediatrician will also show you proper oral hygiene techniques for preventing future plaques and stains from your child’s teeth.
Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride is a natural mineral that helps prevent tooth decay and remineralize the tooth enamel. The pediatrician will use a toothbrush to apply a fluoride-based solution over each of your child’s teeth.
Now in case you’re wondering why your one-year-old needs a pediatric exam, keep in mind that the moment a child’s first tooth erupts, it becomes susceptible to diseases that generally affect the teeth due to poor oral hygiene.
Dental Sealants
Depending on your child’s needs, a dental sealant may be needed over the chewing surfaces of your child’s teeth. This is more common in children with molars and premolars that need protection from cavities.
Summary and final advice
That’s it; your child’s dental examination is complete. Based on the results of the examination, you will be given guidelines on proper oral hygiene techniques for your child and schedule a date for follow-up examination depending on your child’s needs.
Schedule your child’s first pediatric dental examination
Brushing your child’s teeth is an essential part of their oral hygiene. But unfortunately, it’s not enough to ensure that your child maintains proper oral hygiene. Nevertheless, by scheduling pediatric dental examinations, you can find and prevent tooth decay, gum diseases, and other dental problems before they become a menace to your child.