Everything You Need to Know about the Back-to-School Dental Checkup
Now is the perfect time to schedule that back-to-school dental checkup at your dentist in Asheville. If you and the kids have had a busy summer and are beginning to settle down for the school year ahead, take this opportunity to get their teeth checked!
Although children should be getting dental checkups every six months, scheduling an exam before school starts can help ensure there are no oral health problems for the school year ahead. Cavities are prominent in children and need to be filled before they cause tooth loss.
What else should you know about getting your child’s back-to-school dental checkup in Asheville? Here’s everything you need to know to have a successful and smooth exam!
Prepare Your Child for the Dentist
Ideally, children should see the dentist around the age that their first tooth comes in. This is typically around six months old and no later than one year old. You want to be sure your child’s teeth are healthy and erupt on schedule!
If your child hasn’t been to an Asheville dentist before, there are things you can do to help prepare him or her. Reading books about going to the dentist is a good place to start. Talking with your child about who the dentist is and what happens at the dentist office is important.
Being a role model for your child can help too. Let your child know when you’re going to the dentist. Have fun with your child and play dentist with your child’s stuffed animals. Finding a good child-friendly dentist in Asheville can help your child feel at ease and prepared for their checkup!
Ask about Dental Sealants
Ask your Asheville dentist services about dental sealants when you go in for your child’s checkup. Dental sealants can help protect your child’s teeth from future decay. These plastic-like coatings are applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth, which are usually only on the molars.
Children, teens, and even some adults can benefit from dental sealants. If your child is prone to cavities, sealants could be beneficial. You can talk to Dr. Saunders about whether or not dental sealants are a good choice for your child during your back-to-school visit!
Get a Mouthguard While You’re There
Is your child playing sports during their new school year? Most sports require that your child wear a mouthguard to protect their smile while having fun with their friends and engaging in physical activity. Although there are mouthguards available at nearly all sports stores, these mouthguards weren’t made for your child’s specific mouth and can’t offer the complete protection he or she needs. Many of them are the wrong size, making them bulky, uncomfortable, and can even cause your child to have trouble breathing.
Custom mouthguards for sports enable your child to be more comfortable and breathe easier, therefore ensuring that your child will actually wear his or her mouthguard during sports. Custom mouthguards are worth every penny for the protection they provide and can help you avoid a dental emergency!
Consider an Orthodontist Recommendation
The American Orthodontic Association recommends that all children be evaluated for orthodontic treatment by age 7. If your child hasn’t seen the orthodontist yet, you can ask Dr. Saunders for a recommendation in Asheville. The sooner your child is evaluated for orthodontic care, the better idea you have of what type of care your child needs and when treatment should start.
You may be unaware of your child’s orthodontic needs. A complete exam with dental x-rays can reveal missing permanent teeth, teeth that are coming in crooked due to a lack of space or a misaligned bite. An experienced orthodontist can evaluate your child and give you a straightforward assessment!
Address Cavities and Tooth Decay
Getting your child’s teeth professionally cleaned goes a long way when it comes to tooth decay.
Most children aren’t expert brushers. Plaque is often missed which can can unfortunately cause cavities.
During your child’s back-to-school dental checkup, he or she will receive a professional teeth cleaning. Your dentist in Asheville can recommend any improvements that might be needed in your child’s oral care routine, including proper brushing techniques and the importance of floss.
If there are any cavities, you can get them filled using non-mercury fillings to protect your child’s smile and move forward with the best care possible.
Boost Self-Esteem
Children who have tooth decay can begin to experience effects if the cavity is left to progress. Through getting regular cleanings and especially with a back-to-school dental checkup you can boost your child’s self-esteem and prepare them for going back to school this fall.
Getting your child to care for their smile doesn’t have to be a chore. Your Asheville dentist can further help motivate your son or daughter to care for his or her smile. Also, research has shown that people who skip the dentist tend to be unhappier in life. Isn’t it time you and your child got a checkup?
Talk about Fluoride
Your child’s back-to-school dental checkup is the perfect time to talk to Dr. Saunders about your child’s use of fluoride. There is such a thing as overexposure to fluoride, which can affect the appearance of your child’s teeth in the form of white spots referred to as fluorosis.
If your child is drinking water with fluoride and using toothpaste with fluoride, talk with your Asheville dentist about how much fluoride is enough for your child’s smile. Fluoride can help prevent cavities and strengthen your child’s teeth, but it’s beneficial to know how much is too much!
Did you protect your child’s smile while on summer vacation this year? Getting that back-to-school dental checkup can help your child be ready for the great school year ahead.
Tooth decay can cause children to miss school, get distracted, and have poor self-esteem. Fortunately, a simple cleaning and checkup can treat existing tooth decay and prevent future tooth decay. Boost your child’s self-esteem with a back-to-school dentist visit!