Just like adults, kids need to keep their smiles healthy too, through dental cleanings. The best way to do that is to see our pediatric dentist twice per year. Preventative dental care offers real advantages, which is why most insurance plans and Medicaid cover checkups at 100% every six months.
Every Six Months
Preventative dental cleanings, exams, and fluoride treatments lower your child’s risk of getting cavities. Six months is about the longest amount of time you want to go without seeing the dentist. By that point, certain dental infections start to become obvious. Waiting any longer for an exam could give a tiny area of decay the opportunity to evolve into a painful abscess.
Importance of Dental Cleanings for Kids
Even if you’re helping your child brush and floss their teeth twice a day, some buildup will remain. For someone with healthy teeth and gums, six months is about the average timeframe before tartar buildup starts to appear. Having your child’s teeth cleaned twice per year can prevent that buildup from taking over or creeping down into the gums.
As your child’s permanent (adult) teeth start to erupt, usually around age 6, you’ll probably notice more buildup on their teeth than before. Areas like behind the lower front teeth are especially prone to tartar. A professional cleaning removes the calcified bacteria to help keep teeth healthy and breath as fresh as possible.
Additional Preventative Steps
Plus, we’ll apply fluoride after each cleaning to re-mineralize weak areas of tooth enamel. A professional fluoride treatment for children can help reverse the early phases of cavities before they penetrate the outer layer of a tooth. Scheduling checkups every six months practically pays for itself, especially since your insurance covers it! We’ll even put sealants on the adult molars as soon as they come in, further reducing your child’s risk of cavities.
If They’re Injured
Dental emergencies can pop up when you least expect them. Maybe your child falls in the bathtub and chips a tooth, or a teammate elbows them in the mouth during a soccer game — either way, you need a pediatric dentist who can see them the same day. Our patients of record can contact us at any time to get advice on what to do. We’ll help make sure their child gets out of emergency pain fast.
When Something Hurts
Issues like tooth decay, abscessed teeth, or gum infections can quickly evolve into more serious problems. If your child complains of a toothache of any sort, don’t try to treat the symptoms on your own. An untreated infection such as an abscess could lead to hospitalization.
The best way to rule out anything serious is to bring your family to our office. Dr. Ghatak can evaluate the tooth and see what’s going on. Call us immediately if your child is experiencing swelling.
Checkups Twice Per Year
Is your child due for a six-month dental exam and cleaning? Contact Merrifield Pediatric Dentistry today to schedule an appointment near you!
Dr. Ghatak is a board certified pediatric dentist serving patients throughout the Fairfax, VA area, including Dunn Loring, Merrifield, Vienna, Tyson’s Corner, and other local Virginia communities.
