What will happen during my children's dental appointment?

Dental appointments for children at Dr. Rachel Navaneelan & Associates look similar to the dental visits for adults, with just a couple of differences. In this post, our Cornwall dentists explain what can happen during your child's dental appointment so you know what to expect.

Cleaning

As part of a usual dental appointment, your dentist or dental hygienist will conduct an in-depth dental cleaning on your kid's teeth. This process is the same for both adults and children.

The cleaning will consist of scaling to clear away tartar build-up, flossing, and polishing.

Check-up

Your dentist will also evaluate your child’s gums, teeth, jaw, and the interior of their mouth to see if there are any problems, like tooth decay, gingivitis, oral abnormalities, and jaw or teeth misalignments.

X-Rays

To help find problems that are not visible to the naked eye, the dentist or hygienist will occasionally perform an X-ray on your child’s teeth.

Dentists typically only implement X-rays when they are required. How often they are needed depends on various factors, like your kid's risk for dental disease, their general oral health, and stage of oral development.

Fluoride

Fluoride is a mineral found in soil, water, and some foods. Fluoride is important for oral health and development because it strengthens tooth enamel, making teeth more resistant to decay. It can even reverse decay that has already begun to develop in some cases.

It's important for everyone's oral health that they are getting enough fluoride, especially for children as their teeth are still developing and growing.

At your child’s dental appointment, your dentist will explain to you your child’s fluoride requirements, and you will work together to determine how the fluoride is delivered. This could consist of in-office fluoride treatments or fluoride products such as mouthwash and toothpaste.

Tips & Techniques

At the end of the visit, the dentist or hygienist will review proper at-home dental hygiene with you and your child (if your child is old enough to understand).

This will include tips and advice on proper brushing and flossing techniques, oral health-friendly dietary information, and much more.

They are also able to answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding your child's oral health.

Scheduling Follow-Up Visits

If your child has a cavity or other oral health problem, our administration team will book a follow-up appointment to monitor or treat it. You can book this appointment at our office, or call us any time.