What will happen during my children's dental appointment?

A child's dental appointment involves many of the same elements as an adult dental appointment, but there are a few differences. Here, our Calgary dentists explain what to expect during your child’s dental appointment.

Cleaning

During a typical dental appointment, your child's teeth will be thoroughly cleaned by the dentist or dental hygienist. Whether your child has primary or permanent teeth, the procedure is the same.

The cleaning will include scaling to remove any tartar build-up, professional flossing, and polishing.

Check-up

The dentist will also examine your child's teeth, gums, mouth interior, and jaw for any problems such as gingivitis, tooth decay, oral abnormalities, and tooth or jaw misalignment.

X-Rays

To help find problems that are not visible to the naked eye, the dentist or hygienist will occasionally perform an X-ray on your child’s teeth.

The dentist will only take an X-ray if it is absolutely necessary. Their frequency is determined by a number of factors, including your child's overall oral health, risk of dental disease, and stage of oral development.

Fluoride

Fluoride is a mineral that can be found in soil, water, and certain foods. Fluoride is beneficial to oral health and development because it strengthens tooth enamel, making teeth less susceptible to decay. In some cases, it can even reverse decay that has already begun.

Getting enough fluoride is important for everyone, but especially for children because their teeth are still growing and developing.

During your child’s dental appointment, your dentist will discuss your child’s fluoride needs with you, and together you'll settle on a course of fluoride delivery. This may include in-office fluoride treatments or fluoride products like toothpaste and mouthwash.

Tips & Techniques

The dentist or hygienist will end the appointment by reviewing proper at-home dental hygiene with you and your child (if your child is old enough to understand).

This will include tips and advice on proper brushing and flossing techniques, oral health-friendly dietary information, and much more.

They will also be happy to address any questions or concerns you have about your child’s oral health.

Follow-Up Appointment Scheduling

If your child has a cavity or another oral health issue, our administrative staff will schedule a follow-up appointment to monitor or treat it. You can make this appointment at our office or by phone at any time.

For more information about what you can expect from your child’s dental appointments, please contact our Calgary dentists today!