Your child has all the pencils and notebooks they need to start another year of school, but how is their dental health looking? The beginning of the school year is the perfect time to schedule a check-up and cleaning with your dentist. Highlands Ranch schools love to see happy, healthy smiles and getting your children’s teeth checked is the first step! Keep these questions in mind during your child’s next dental visit:
5 Questions to Ask at Your Child’s Back-to-School Dental Visit
School will be back in session before you know it. Send your child off to class with a new bookbag, fresh pencils and a healthy smile.
Some schools require a back-to-school dental exam. Still, it’s always a good time of year to schedule one of your child’s regular visits. “We can help spot and take care of any issues so your child doesn’t have to miss class once school starts,” says ADA pediatric dentist Dr. Mary Hayes. “It’s also a great time to help get back on track if some of your child’s dental habits fell away during summer, when normal routines can go out the window and there are a lot more treats around.”
Here are a few questions to ask at your child’s appointment:
How Is My Child’s Overall Dental Health?
The dentist will be looking at the big picture of your child’s mouth, including teeth and gums. “We will check to make sure teeth are lining up correctly, your child’s bite is in good shape and to keep an eye out for any [orthodontic] issues that may show up later,” Dr. Hayes says. “We’re also making sure baby teeth are going to the Tooth Fairy like they should.”
Will My Child Get a Cleaning Today?
This is a must, no matter how well your child brushes. “Even if your child—or you, for that matter—brushes twice a day, it’s not possible to get rid of all the bacteria that can lead to cavities,” Dr. Hayes says. “And on the other hand, you may have a child who goes off to camp and never opens their toothbrush.”
That’s why a professional cleaning goes a long way. “It removes more of the cavity-causing bacteria and helps to keep gum tissue healthy,” she says. “It can also remove most or many stains from teeth.”
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 decay process can move very, very fast, so the earlier we can catch it, the better,” Dr. Hayes says.