People often avoid the dentist out of fear. However, it’s important to have regular checkups and cleanings so you can avoid more invasive treatments in the future. In this article we’ll detail why avoiding your dentist is bad for oral health!
To schedule an appointment for a dental exam and cleaning, call our Tampa office today at (813) 576-0200.
Professional Dental Exams
Dental visits with Dr. Botero and the friendly staff at Li’l Sunshine Smiles are of vital importance. You can help your child’s confidence pre-visit by educating them on why dental visits are important and why they don’t need to fear. Part of this preparation is education. Explain to your child what happens at a dental visit and emphasize that these appointments will not be painful! The only time a child may experience discomfort is if they have exisiting tooth decay or tooth sensitivity.
What to Expect at Your Child’s Dental Exam and Dental Cleaning
- Medical History Review. Because your child’s health history can change between one appointment to the next, cleanings and exams begin by reviewing your child’s current health history. Some health conditions (and medications) can affect the health of your child’s teeth and mouth. Keep us in the loop if there are any changes to his health condition.
- Teeth Polishing. Kids love getting their teeth polished. It feels like a tooth massage and includes a fun-flavored polish gel. The slow-speed hand-piece is used to gently clean and polish your child’s teeth. After, your child’s teeth will have their original brightness and smoothness.
- Tartar Removal. Tartar is thick, hardened plaque and must be removed by a dentist with professional ultrasonic dental tools. During the cleaning process, tartar is removed above and below the gumline to prevent gum disease and tooth decay. Sometimes this part of the dental cleaning process can be uncomfortable if the child has inflamed gums from excessive tartar. Our experienced team will work to keep your child as comfortable as possible while insuring their teeth and mouth are protected.
- Periodontal Health Evaluation. Gum disease is a tricky one becase you often don’t experience any real pain until it has progressed to a point where you can’t reverse the damage. That is why at every cleaning and exam we do a thorough peridontal health evaluation. This includes measuring the depth of gum pockets, seeing if there are any bleeding sites and assessing bone loss. This sid one with digital x-rays, gentle probing and observation.
- Occlusion Check. Teeth shift with time and can move enough to affect how your child’s bite functions. Misaligned teeth can cause teeth to collide or jaw issues if the bite is too affected. Dr. Cat will make sure your child’s teeth are currently fitting together as they should. If teeth shifting is found to be severe, we can refer you to an orthodontist.
- Fluoride Treatments. Fluoride applications strengthen the enamel of your child’s teeth. And they may be applied using a foam, gel or a varnish form.
Top Reasons to Visit Your Dentist
Dental visits are important to your child’s health for a number of reasons. Not only do they help the dentist remove plaque from teeth, they also help diagnose any problems that may arise with your child’s oral hygiene and overall health. Here is a look at some of the top reasons dental visits are important:
- Dental visits help detect cavities early. A dental visit allows for the dentist to examine and clean areas on and between teeth not easily visible by parents or the child. During the cleaning process, dental professionals can see trouble spots before they become bigger issues. They can then provide recommendations as to how you can maintain those areas at home
- Detecting tooth decay earlier saves time & money. If cavities are detected early enough, they can be filled before they get bigger, saving your child from hours and perhaps days in the dental chair.
- Diagnosing other health issues. Dental professionals may find “red flags” during a checkup that could indicate other health concerns. Why? Your mouth is connected to the rest of your body through something called the “oral-systemic link.” An infection such as gingivitis (also called gum disease) may show symptoms in your mouth, but it occurs when harmful bacteria in plaque spreads into surrounding tissue and affects bodily functions such as blood pressure and heart rate.
- Establishing a dental home. Starting your child on the road to excellent oral health and wellness begins when they are young. The more you expose your child to his dental home the more comfortable your child will be with dental treatment and care.
Call to Schedule a Professional Dental Cleaning Today
Professional dental cleanings are an essential part of your tooth decay prevention plan. Help your child maintain tooth health and support a bright, white smile by scheduling one today.
To learn more about our dental cleanings, or to schedule an appointment, call our Tampa office today at (813) 576-0200.