When was the last time your family saw the dentist? If it’s been longer than six months, it’s time to come in for a checkup. These visits are important for patients of all ages, from kids who have grown in their first tooth to parents and adults. Pediatric Dentistry of Round Rock, TX, offers checkups for your child starting in infancy. In today’s blog, we’ll explore why these visits are essential to your little one’s health.

When To Bring Your Little One In

You may be surprised to know that your young one’s first dentist visit can happen as soon as their first tooth erupts. For many patients, this means that their initial checkup will happen around the age of one-year-old. This appointment is an opportunity to get your child familiar with our team and comfortable with the routine. After this, routine checkups can be scheduled biannually. It’s important to start a productive oral hygiene routine at a young age. You can lead by example by brushing and flossing twice a day, and helping your little one learn how to do this as they develop their fine motor skills.

Monitor For Concerns With Biannual Visits

Biannual dental visits include a cleaning and examination. During the cleaning, plaque buildup that cannot be reached with your toothbrush alone will be removed. This helps prevent cavities and gum disease from developing, which can harm your oral health. The examination can be used to track the growth of their teeth, alignment concerns, cavities, and even oral cancer. While oral cancer is rare in younger patients, it’s important to regularly monitor for this. The earlier this problem is detected, the sooner treatment can get started. Tooth decay can also be spotted early from these examinations, allowing for prompt treatment that can help prevent the need for invasive restorations down the line.

Sealants And Fluoride Treatments Prevent Decay

Cavities are a very common concern for young patients. A consistent at-home oral hygiene routine and checkups can reduce the chances of tooth decay. For an extra boost of protection, fluoride treatments and sealants may also be used. Fluoride can be applied topically to add minerals back to your enamel and protect against plaque buildup. Sealants can be applied to your back molars and act as a barrier between the tooth and bacteria. If a cavity does develop, a dental filling can stop the progression of decay and restore your little one’s tooth. Although baby teeth will eventually be lost, these should still be restored to promote proper development of their permanent dental structures.

Schedule Their Appointment Today

Biannual cleanings and exams can keep your little one’s smile healthy. Book their next checkup by calling Pediatric Dentistry of Round Rock at 512-733-5311.