The Importance of Pediatric Dental Checkups Every Six Months

If your child is overdue for their next routine checkup, Dr. Ben Liu and the dentists at SuperKids Pediatric Dentistry are here to help. Just like AAPD (American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry), we recommend that kids see a dentist every six months.

With six-month checkups at our office, you can reduce your child’s risk of cavities, keep an eye on their oral development, and make sure that any issues are treated right away. Plus, you’ll be able to normalize the process of going to the dentist, which helps reduce dental fear and anxiety in children of all ages, setting them up for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

What Happens During A Pediatric Dental Checkup?

Not sure what to expect during your child’s first visit to SuperKids Pediatric Dentistry? Here’s a breakdown of what happens during their six-month checkups.

• Oral exam – First, one of our pediatric dentists will take a look at your child’s teeth to look for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and any oral development issues.
• Teeth cleaning – Next, one of our dental hygienists will gently scale, polish, and floss your child’s teeth. Not only does this keep them shiny, but it also eliminates plaque and tartar that can contribute to oral health issues.

• X-rays (yearly or as recommended) – Younger kids may not need X-rays. But for most kids, we will recommend yearly X-rays to make sure that their oral development is on track, and to check for hidden cavities and other potential oral health issues.

Once your child’s visit is over, their pediatric dentist will discuss their findings with you, as well as any treatment recommendations. Your child’s dentist at SuperKids Pediatric Dentistry can also answer any questions that you may have about caring for your little one’s teeth and maintaining their oral health!

Why Tooth Decay Prevention For Kids Matters

Baby teeth are supposed to fall out anyway, right? So why does it matter if your child gets a cavity, and why should you bother with six-month visits and preventive dentistry? Here are just a few reasons:

• Cavities in kids are super summon. In fact, tooth decay is the single most common preventable childhood disease in kids of all ages
• Six-month visits help catch tooth decay early, which makes it easier to treat
• Teeth cleanings and great at-home oral hygiene can dramatically reduce your little one’s risk of cavities
• Cavities can cause serious pain, discomfort, and chewing difficulties, even in baby teeth
• Baby teeth must be kept healthy until they fall out naturally, since they help form the “paths” that adult teeth take when they erupt
• Investing in routine preventive care helps you save time, money, and stress by eliminating the need for more complex, costly, and invasive procedures

How Dentists Detect And Monitor Cavity Development

At SuperKids Pediatric Dentistry, we use the latest treatment techniques to identify cavities and keep an eye on tooth decay. Our dentists perform visual exams to look for signs of decay, like white spots, brown spots, or visible holes in your little one’s teeth. We may also use intraoral cameras to get a closer look.

X-rays are also a powerful way to get a deeper look below the surface. With a set of X-rays, we can find decay that may be hidden from visual exams, such as decay between two very close-together teeth.

We don’t just recommend fillings right away, either. Depending on the extent of a cavity, it may be possible to reverse it with fluoride treatment or stop its progression with SDF (Silver Diamine Fluoride). As conservative dentists, our team will only recommend treatments like fillings and crowns when we truly believe that they are necessary for protecting your child’s long-term oral health.

Fluoride Treatments And Dental Sealants For Kids: A Proactive Approach To Tooth Decay

Along with teeth cleanings and oral exams, your child’s dentist may also recommend fluoride treatments or dental sealants during their visit. If your child is cavity-prone or you just would like to reduce their risk of decay, these proactive treatments can be very helpful.

Fluoride treatments

In this treatment, your child’s dentist will apply a thin layer of fluoride-rich gel or liquid to their teeth. After leaving it in place for a few minutes, it will be rinsed away. The high concentrations of fluoride help attract minerals back to your child’s teeth, strengthening them and reducing their risk of decay.

Dental sealants

Sealants are a thin layer of transparent resin. They are applied in liquid form to your child’s rear teeth and then are hardened using a special UV light. Dental sealants are typically placed on the rear teeth, which are harder for kids to clean and have deep pits and grooves that can contribute to decay.

We typically recommend sealants when your child’s first adult molars erupt, around the age of six. Then, when they're about 12 and get their second set of adult molars, we may recommend an additional treatment to keep their new teeth healthy.

What Else Is Involved In Preventive Dental Care For Kids?

Along with routine checkups, fluoride treatments, and dental sealants, there are a few other steps that we take at SuperKids Pediatric Dentistry to ensure that your child’s smile stays strong and healthy as they grow:

• Dietary advice – If you have questions about your child’s diet and snacks, we’re here to help. Reducing the amount of sugary foods and beverages and processed foods your child eats can help them maintain a healthier smile, especially if you choose “tooth-healthy” foods like raw fruits and vegetables instead.
  
  
• Brushing and at-home oral hygiene tips – Whether you’re still brushing for your little one or they're brushing on their own, our team is always happy to provide tips and advice on how to improve their routine.
  
  
• Orthodontic consultations – Children should get an orthodontic consultation at about the age of seven with Dr. Rawia Alkhunaizi, our in-house orthodontic specialist. During their visit, Dr. Alkhunaizi can check on their oral development, make sure their adult teeth are emerging properly, and make 

The Role Of Family Dental Health – It Starts At Home!

Preventive care from a dentist is only part of the puzzle. Great oral health starts with a solid at-home oral hygiene routine. Here are a few tips for brushing your child’s teeth, and helping them learn to manage their own oral hygiene as they grow and develop.

For the first few years of your child’s life, you’ll have to brush their teeth for them. We recommend brushing teeth twice per day. Brush once in the morning after your child wakes up, then again before bed (and after their final meal or snack of the night).

• Start brushing your child’s teeth as soon as their first tooth erupts, usually between the ages of 6-12 months
• Use a smear of fluoride toothpaste that’s the size of a grain of rice until your child can learn how to spit on their own
• You can use to a pea-sized dab of toothpaste when your child knows how to can spit on command and can avoid swallowing the toothpaste
• Clean the fronts, tops, and backs of each tooth thoroughly
• Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to ensure the bristles can thoroughly clean the gums, too

Once your child is about 5-6 years old, they can start brushing on their own. Here are a few tips for helping your child learn how to brush their own teeth:

• Make toothbrushing a family activity so that you can keep an eye on their habits
• Help your child learn proper brushing technique. Got questions? Our team of dentists and hygienists can help during their next checkup!
• Let your child pick out their own toothbrush and toothpaste to get them excited about brushing
• Consider tracking their brushing with a reward system to build good oral hygiene habits

Understanding The Importance Of Flossing For Kids

As a parent, you’ve got a lot on your plate, and just getting your child to brush their teeth is tough enough. But still, flossing is important for protecting your little one’s teeth from cavities and gum disease. 

You should start flossing for your child as soon as two of their teeth touch. From then on, you should floss their teeth once per day to remove food particles, debris, and bacteria that can’t be removed with brushing alone.

You’ll usually have to floss for your child until the age of 7-8, when they can start learning on their own. Floss picks, which have a small piece of floss on the end of a plastic handle, can make it easier for kids to learn how to floss on their own. Need help? Our dentists can teach the basics during your little one’s next visit.

Make Dental Health A Family Priority With Six-Month Visits

Whether your children have already been getting regular dental checkups or you’re just starting out on their dental journey, Dr. Ben Liu and our team of pediatric dental specialists are here to help. With simple scheduling and five convenient locations throughout the great Washington, DC area, it’s never been easier to take control of your little one’s oral health.

And with our family-friendly approach, dedication to educating kids about proper brushing and oral hygiene, and a wide range of services under one roof, we’re a one-stop shop for healthy little smiles. Contact us online to book your child’s first visit at our office in Potomac, Alexandria, Sterling, Rockville, or Mt. Vernon.