Questions to Ask at Your Child’s Dental Visit

School will be back in session before you know it, making it a great time to check in on your child's oral health. A healthy smile is always back-to-school essential.

Below we have outlined some questions you can ask your dentist to ensure your child’s oral health remains in good standing:

How Is My Child’s Overall Dental Health?

The dentist should be looking at the big picture of your child’s mouth, including teeth and gums. They should be able to alert you to any potential issues so that they can be addressed asap.

Will My Child Get a Cleaning Today?

Professional cleanings are a must even if your child has good oral health habits such as brushing and flossing daily.

Professional cleaning goes a long way in removing excess plaque that is not able to be removed by brushing alone.

Does My Child Need an X-Ray?

X-rays help your dentist see how your child’s teeth are developing and make sure the tooth roots are healthy. They also are used to see if there is any tooth decay between your child’s teeth, the earlier this is detected the earlier it can be addressed.

Your child won’t need an x-ray at every visit as they are only done as necessary, and can also help alert your dentist to any issues once adult teeth start to come in.

What Are Sealants?

Sealants can be another way to keep your child from getting cavities, but they’re no substitute for brushing and flossing. A sealant is a thin, protective coating that your dentist places on the chewing surfaces of your child’s permanent back teeth (called molars). Once they’re on, sealants work to keep cavity-causing bacteria from settling into the crevices your child’s toothbrush can’t reach. This helps keep cavities from forming and tiny existing spots of decay from getting worse.

Having sealants on your permanent molars reduces the risk of cavities by 80%. It’s best to get sealants as soon as your child’s permanent molars come through their gums.

There are plenty of other questions you can ask your dentist when taking your child for an appointment. If you have other questions about your child’s oral health, contact Woolwhich Dental today to book an appointment.