Kids Dental Checkups & Cleanings – Naperville, IL
Helping Take Care of Your Child’s Smile
Regular checkup and cleaning appointments are important for patients of all ages, but especially so for infants and young children. Taking your kiddo to the dentist on a regular basis helps show them how important it is to take care of their smile and encourages them to maintain good oral hygiene habits for years to come. Plus, it gives your pediatric dentist in Naperville a chance to check in on their oral development and remove stubborn plaque and tartar from their teeth. To learn more about these appointments, keep reading.
Why Choose Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics Consultants for Kids Dental Checkups & Cleanings?
- We Have Two Experienced Board-Certified Pediatric Dentists
- We Happily Welcome Children With Special Needs
- Phase I Orthodontics Fixes Alignment Issues Early
Why Are Kids Dental Checkups & Cleanings Important?
The ADA (American Dental Association) recommends scheduling your child’s first dental checkup and cleaning after their first tooth appears or before their first birthday. That’s a lot of firsts! But that’s because kids teeth develop fairly quickly. It’s important to 1) monitor their dental growth and 2) keep both their baby and permanent teeth clean and healthy.
By taking your child to visit their pediatric dentist every six months, you give us a chance to check on their progress and, if necessary, provide early treatment or intervention. That way, we can take care of potential issues before they become more complicated or significantly impact your child’s oral development.
Biannual cleanings, meanwhile, help us ensure we’re regularly eliminating the stubborn plaque and tartar that can cause cavities and gum disease. Our team will also give your kiddo at-home brushing and flossing tips so they can learn how to best take care of their smile.
What to Expect During Your Child’s Dental Checkup
Our primary goal is to help your child feel safe and comfortable during their appointment, especially if it’s their first time! While a dental checkup usually does involve some poking and prodding, rest assured, your child will dictate the pace. We won’t rush them, and if they have any special needs, we’ll be sure to accommodate them before proceeding.
After their checkup, one of our skilled pediatric dentists will report their findings to you and, if necessary, work with you to coordinate a suitable treatment plan.
What to Expect During Your Child’s Dental Cleaning
Even some adults get nervous during dental cleanings, but just like with your child’s checkup, we’ll take steps to reassure and encourage them. Our hygienists have a gentle touch, and will listen to your child attentively while they brush, floss, polish, and apply any fluoride or sealants.
To wrap-up, we’ll give your kiddo some guidance on how to clean their teeth at home – in a way that’s engaging and will hold their attention, of course!
Pediatric Checkups & Cleanings FAQs
When Should I Take My Child to the Dentist for the First Time?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry urges parents to bring their children to their pediatric dentist’s office for the first time by their first birthday or whenever their first tooth begins to emerge. Getting your child started with routine dental appointments early will help them get used to receiving oral health treatments, which can set them up to feel comfortable at the dentist’s office later in life. Most dental visits for small children serve to allow their pediatric dentists to monitor the development of their smiles, and they can often be performed while the infant or toddler is sitting comfortably in their parent’s lap. These visits also allow parents to ask about how they can take better care of their children’s developing smiles and how to best deal with issues like teething or getting their kids used to brushing. Early dental visits also help children develop proper oral hygiene habits, which will help them avoid painful and destructive oral infections that can be costly to treat.
How Long Does a Dental Exam Take?
Dr. Dulli or Salem can usually complete a regular dental exam in about ten to fifteen minutes, but the exact length of time can vary from patient to patient. This process will involve a visual examination of the teeth, gums, tongue, and other oral tissues for signs of decay and infection. Our dentist will also check for issues with bite alignment and make sure any existing dental restorations like crowns and fillings are still in working order.
How Long Does a Regular Dental Cleaning Take?
If your child’s teeth are kept clean and they visit our office in Naperville at least every six months, they’ll probably only require a regular dental cleaning that takes about thirty minutes. However, large accumulations of plaque and food debris may make the appointment take longer, and we may have to schedule additional appointments if we discover oral infections that need to be treated.
How Often Do Kids Need to Get Dental X-rays?
Dental X-rays must usually be completed every six months depending on how long it has been since your child last received them and what type they received. There are three types of dental X-rays, those being:
- Bitewings: These are completed every year to help detect cavities.
- Periapical X-rays: These are usually used to plan treatments or check dental roots for signs of infection or injury.
- Panoramic X-rays: These are typically taken every three to five years to check for concerns like developmental issues, orthodontic problems, and the emerging wisdom teeth.
Your child may need additional dental X-rays based on factors like age, oral health history, and existing medical conditions.