PEDIATRIC EXAMS, CLEANINGS & X-RAYS

Starting from the eruption of the first tooth (and no later than one year of age), the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists recommends that children should be seen by the dentist twice a year.  

These important visits allow the pediatric dentist to monitor new developments in the child’s mouth, evaluate changes in the condition of teeth and gums, and continue to advise parents on good oral care strategies.

Pediatric dentists fulfill many important functions pertaining to the child’s overall oral health and hygiene. They place particular emphasis on the proper maintenance and care of baby teeth, which are instrumental in facilitating good chewing habits, proper speech production, and also hold space for permanent teeth.

Other Important Functions Include:

  • EDUCATION – Pediatric dentists educate the child about the importance of keeping teeth strong and healthy. They advise parents and children on disease prevention, trauma prevention, good eating habits and other aspects of the home hygiene routine.

  • MONITORING GROWTH – By continuously tracking growth and development, pediatric dentists are able to anticipate dental issues and quickly intervene before they worsen. Working towards earlier corrective treatment also preserves the child’s self-esteem and fosters a more positive self-image.

  • PREVENTION – Helping parents and children establish sound eating and oral care habits reduces the chances of later tooth decay. In addition to providing checkups and dental cleanings, pediatric dentists are also able to apply dental sealants and topical fluoride to young teeth; advise parents on thumb-sucking, pacifier use and smoking cessation; and provide demonstrations of proper brushing and flossing. Dental X-rays may be advised if cavities are suspected to prevent small cavities from turning into large cavities, tooth decay and eventually, childhood periodontal disease. 

  • ORAL TREATMENTS – In some cases, pediatric dentists may discuss the possibility of early oral treatments with parents. In the case of oral injury, malocclusion (bad bite), or bruxism (grinding), space maintainers may be fitted, a nighttime mouth guard may be recommended, or reconstructive surgery may be advised.

Are checkups necessary if my child has healthy teeth?

The condition of a child’s teeth can change fairly rapidly. Even if the child’s teeth were evaluated as healthy just six months prior, changes in diet or oral habits (for example, thumb sucking) can quickly render them vulnerable to decay or misalignment.

In addition to visual examinations, the pediatric dentist provides thorough dental cleanings that eradicate the plaque and debris that can build up between teeth and in other hard-to-reach places. Though a good homecare routine is especially important, these professional cleanings provide an additional tool to keep smiles healthy.

The pediatric dentist is also able to monitor the child’s fluoride levels during routine visits. Oftentimes, a topical fluoride gel or varnish is applied to teeth after the cleaning to remineralize the teeth, protecting tooth enamel from oral acid attacks. Some children are also given take-home fluoride supplements (especially those residing in areas where fluoride is not routinely added to the community water supply).

Finally, the pediatric dentist may apply dental sealants to the child’s back teeth (molars). This impenetrable liquid plastic substance is brushed onto the molars to seal out harmful debris, bacteria and acid. 

PEDIATRIC DENTAL X-RAYS

Dental radiographs, also known as dental X-rays, are important diagnostic tools in pediatric dentistry. X-rays allow the dentist to see and treat problems like childhood cavities, tooth decay, orthodontic misalignment, bone injuries and bone diseases before they worsen. These issues would be difficult (in some cases impossible) to see with the naked eye during a clinical examination. 

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) approves the use of dental radiographs for diagnostic purposes in children and teenagers. 

What are dental X-rays used for?

Dental X-rays are extremely versatile diagnostic tools. Some of their main uses in pediatric dentistry include:

  • Assessing the amount of space available for incoming teeth

  • Checking whether primary teeth are being shed in good time for adult teeth to emerge

  • Evaluating the progression of bone disease

  • Monitoring and diagnosing tooth decay

  • Planning treatment (especially orthodontic treatment)

  • Revealing bone injuries, abscesses and tumors

  • Revealing impacted wisdom teeth

 

When will my child need dental X-rays?

Individual circumstances dictate how often a child needs to have dental X-rays taken. Children at higher-than-average risk of childhood tooth decay (as determined by the pediatric dentist) may need biannual radiographs to monitor changes in the condition of the teeth. Likewise, children who are at high risk for orthodontic problems, for example, malocclusion, may also need sets of radiographs taken more frequently for monitoring purposes.

Children at average or below-average risk for tooth decay and orthodontic problems should have a set of dental X-rays taken every one to two years. Even in cases when the pediatric dentist suspects no decay at all, it is still important to periodically monitor tooth and jaw growth – primarily to ensure there is sufficient space available for incoming permanent teeth.

If the oral region has been subject to trauma or injury, the pediatric dentist may want to X-ray the mouth immediately. Developments in X-ray technology mean that specific areas of the mouth can be targeted and X-rayed separately, reducing the amount of unnecessary X-ray exposure.

 

What precautions will be taken to ensure my child’s safety?

Though dental X-rays are perfectly safe for use with children, the pediatric dentist will take several precautions. The child will be covered in a lead apron to protect the body from unnecessary exposure and the dentist will use shields to protect parts of the face that are not being X-rayed.