I have always envied those around me who seem to always have perfect smiles without even trying, because I feel like I was born with "bad teeth." While my teeth are in great shape now, it is only because I take great care to visit the dentist every six months for a check-up and cleaning and maintain good oral hygiene habits at home. While I used to get a lot of cavities, even though I thought I was doing "everything right" to keep them away, I am proud to say that I have been cavity-free for a couple of years now! I put a lot of research into what daily habits can wreak havoc on my teeth, and I thought it would be a shame not to share what has helped me with others who need the advice. I plan to post many oral health tips on my new blog!
Pediatric dental checkups are the best way to stay in front of potential problems with a kid's oral health. You might wonder how often you should arrange children's dental checkups, though. Here is a good way to handle the scheduling of pediatric dental appointments.
Baby's First Dental Visit
Generally, a baby should have a checkup once they turn one year old or when their first tooth erupts, depending on which happens first. Children's dental appointments at this age mostly focus on making sure the teeth are coming in straight. In rare cases, there may also be concerns about tooth decay, but this is fairly uncommon.
Some parents may have worries about the teething process. Unless the issues are severe when compared to other kids who've had difficult teething periods, it usually isn't worth scheduling a full-on appointment. If you must get some advice from a dental practitioner, the best thing to do is to call someone who works with kids and ask for advice. However, don't be stunned if the advice is similar to what friends, family members, neighbors, and internet parenting websites also will offer.
Once Every 6 Months
The general schedule for children's dental checkups should be one visit every 6 months. Your kid will have time to undergo enough changes for each visit to be relevant, and the visits will still be frequent enough to intervene if the dentist detects a problem like a cavity.
During the toddler years, the focus will be on making sure the teeth all come in. Likewise, the dentist will want to make sure they're aligning properly because this will affect how the kid's adult teeth will come in. A child's adult teeth usually follow the path set out by their baby teeth.
As a kid gets to school age, the focus will tilt toward prevention and maintenance. Cavities are a big item at this age. Also, the doctor will want to know that the child's baby teeth are falling out normally and their adult teeth are coming in. If a kid needs braces, that's a conversation for once all of their adult teeth are in except for their wisdom teeth.
Exceptions
There will be exceptions to the once-every-6-months plan. If there is a family history of dental issues, a doctor may schedule an appointment more often. Also, some kids may need to get comfortable with the dentist and the office, and a doctor may schedule those children for light checkups to build confidence and trust. If a kid develops a specific oral health problem, that would prompt a more frequent schedule.
To learn more, contact a local children's dentist such as Yongsok Do, DMD, LLC/ DBA Keiki Dental.
Share24 August 2022
