As the school year approaches, parents have a great deal of responsibility. They have to make time for school registration events, back-to-school shopping, and schedule changes. In some cases, your child may also need to visit the doctor for a physical exam. However, some parents may consider putting off their child’s back-to-school dental exam.
With so much to do, it isn’t uncommon for parents to reschedule or cancel their child’s upcoming dental exam, but this might not be the best choice. While a twice-yearly cleaning may initially seem unnecessary, these regular exams can make a significant difference in your child’s long-term oral health and comfort.
In this blog, we’ll explore the many benefits of back-to-school dental exams and help you determine how to find the best dentist for your child.
Why Back-to-School Dental Exams are So Important
As a parent, it is your responsibility to ensure the health and happiness of your children. This can include providing them with healthy meals, ensuring they regularly bathe, and dressing them appropriately for the weather. But, one thing that can go overlooked is their dental care. While parents might check that their child is brushing their teeth, it may end there.
Some parents may believe that because their child is brushing and flossing regularly, they don’t need support from a dental team. However, dental appointments, including back-to-school dental exams, are an incredibly important part of your child’s oral health. These appointments give your dentist an opportunity to examine your child’s teeth.
It doesn’t take much for a cavity or gum inflammation to begin developing. Without their back-to-school dental exams, these conditions may continue to worsen. In some cases, this may mean that you aren’t reaching out until your child is experiencing pain. If you want to avoid this and keep your child’s mouth healthy, these back-to-school dental exams are essential.
What to Expect During Back-to-School Dental Exams
If you’ve been considering putting off your child’s back-to-school dental exam, it is important to understand what happens during these appointments. They aren’t just about cleaning your child’s teeth; they’re an essential part of monitoring their oral health and development. During their upcoming exam, you can expect the following:
- Physical Exams: Your child’s dentist and hygienist will perform a comprehensive physical exam of their teeth and gum tissue, looking for signs of development problems, cavity development, and gum inflammation.
- X-rays: Beyond the physical exam, your dental team will take X-rays of your child’s teeth to catch cavity development in its earliest stages, and will monitor their jaw to ensure it and their teeth are developing properly.
- Teeth Cleaning: Once the dental team has examined your child’s teeth and X-rays, the dental team will slowly begin to clean their teeth, removing plaque and tartar from the teeth, especially near gum tissue.
- Preventive Treatment: Your dentist may use a thin coating called sealants to protect your child’s hard-to-reach permanent molars, protecting them from food debris and reducing the risk of cavity development.
Tips for Preparing Your Child for Their First Dental Visit
If your child has never visited the dentist before, it isn’t uncommon for them to experience heightened anxiety around this experience. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to support them before heading into their appointment and ensure they are prepared for their first dental visit.
When talking about their visit, be sure to avoid using words that may heighten anxiety, including pain, shots, and drill. You should also consider reading kid-friendly stories about visiting the dentist or watching cartoons about the experience. You can also play dentist at home to get them more familiar with the exam process.
Once in office, it is important to stay calm and relaxed, as this can influence your child’s feelings during the appointment. You may want to bring comfort items for your child as well, including a stuffed animal or blanket. When the appointment is over, make sure to praise them and celebrate by planning a fun post-visit activity.
How to Keep Your Child’s Smile Healthy Between Appointments
While it is incredibly important that your child attends their back-to-school dental exams, the things you do between appointments can be just as important. With a bit of extra practice and care, you can ensure your child’s smile is healthy between dental visits. If you want to protect their smile, make sure to do the following:
- Ensure your child is brushing their teeth twice daily and flossing at least once a day to address any plaque buildup throughout the day.
- Monitor their brushing until they are about eight to ensure they are using the appropriate brushing technique.
- Teach your child to use an adequate amount of toothpaste, about the size of a pea for children ages three to six.
- Encourage your child to drink plenty of water throughout the day, as it can wash away food particles and bacteria.
- Limit their access to sugary, sticky candies and fruit juices, especially right before bed, as they can feed oral bacteria.
- Offer healthy snacks, like cheese, raw veggies, and fresh fruit that are nutrient rich and support their long-term oral health.
How to Find a Reliable Dental Team for Your Children
Although you may understand the importance of a back-to-school dental exam, you may not know how to find the ideal dental team to support your child’s long-term oral success. With so many dental teams in your area, what could set someone apart from the rest of your local providers? If you’re looking for a dentist for your child, consider the following:
- Appropriate Credentials: Ensure your chosen dental team carries appropriate credentials and has experience working in pediatric dentistry.
- Patient Reviews: Look at patient reviews to ensure previous visitors and their children have had positive experiences.
- Anxiety-Easing Tools: Ask the office about their anxiety-easing tools, including headphones, televisions and blankets.
- Insurance Match: Verify that your dental office accepts your dental insurance to avoid unexpected bills.
Let NorthView Dental Support Your Child’s Dental Journey
Your child’s back-to-school dental exam is an essential part of their back-to-school routine, and should never be missed. At NorthView Dental, our team understands just how crucial these appointments are for catching the earliest signs of decay and protecting your child against uncomfortable oral health problems. Whether you’re trying to protect them against cavities or introducing them to professional dental care for the first time, we’re here to offer comprehensive, compassionate dental care to everyone across North Ogden and beyond.
If you would like to schedule a back-to-school dental exam with our team, don’t hesitate to reach out to us today.
