What Happens During My Child’s Visit?

Just like you, your child should visit us every six months for a routine exam. What happens in a child’s dental exam, and what makes them so important for keeping little smiles healthy and bright? In today’s blog, we’re talking about our approach to children’s dentistry, and why routine preventive treatments are crucial for keeping teeth free of cavities.

The Checkup

The purpose of a checkup is to examine your child’s smile and assess his or her oral health. We look for signs of developing problems, such as cavities or even misalignment. We can then create a personalized treatment plan or refer you to a specialist, tackling these problems before they put your child’s smile at risk. During the exam, we will use a small dental tool and mirror to carefully check the teeth and gums. These visits also help limit dental anxiety and enable our team to instill good oral hygiene habits, so your little one can enjoy healthy smiles for years to come.

The Cleaning

We also perform a dental cleaning during your child’s visit. One of our dental hygienists will carefully remove all plaque buildup from the teeth. Plaque occurs when bacteria break down food particles, leaving a sticky material coating the teeth. Without removal, plaque actually weakens tooth enamel and inflames gum tissue, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gingivitis. A cleaning helps protect the smile, while also offering brighter teeth and fresher breath!

Treating Misalignment

If your child develops misalignment, we can discuss orthodontic treatment to correct the issue and help improve oral health, as well as the smile’s appearance!

Fillings and Preventive Treatments

If we uncover a cavity, we will treat the issue with a lifelike dental filling. The restoration prevents the decay from growing, which could otherwise cause infection and premature tooth loss, impacting your child’s dental alignment. Remember, baby teeth fall out, but months or even years could elapse before a decayed tooth is due to fall out, so don’t ignore your child’s aching tooth, let us know. We may also consider a fluoride varnish or dental sealants to prevent further cavities. Fluoride strengthens the outer enamel, and dental sealants are an acrylic coating we place over the rear teeth to prevent food from becoming stuck between them.

Does Your Little One Need a Checkup?

We want to help children enjoy better oral health with preventive and general care. To schedule an appointment to discuss our approach to children’s dentistry, contact Healthy Smiles in Gary, IN, by calling 219-938-2637, or by emailing our office at info@healthysmilesnwi.com. We also proudly serve the residents of Gary, Miller, Miller Beach, and all surrounding communities.