How Often Should Children Have Dental Checkups?

When was the last time your child visited the dentist? If you can’t remember, then your child is almost certainly overdue for a trip to have their teeth assessed by a professional.


That’s because children can benefit from regular dental check-ups in just the same way that adults can. Monitoring their teeth and oral health is the best way for your dentist to check that your child’s mouth and teeth are developing properly and that they are as healthy and functional as possible. 




Why Are Dental Check-Ups Important?



If your child’s teeth look clean and they aren’t suffering from a toothache, visiting the dentist can seem like a waste of time. Nevertheless, regular visits are important for a range of reasons. 

 


Firstly, your child doesn’t need to have a toothache to be experiencing a dental problem. Many people think that if they aren’t in pain, there are no problems with their teeth. However, this isn’t always the case. Many dental problems start out with little or no symptoms, meaning that damage could be being done to your child’s teeth or oral health without you even realizing it. It’s also worth remembering that many children, especially very young kids, can struggle to communicate any symptoms that they may be experiencing. 

 


Just like you, when your child visits their dentist regularly, they will be able to have the condition of their mouth and teeth carefully monitored, meaning that any issues that are developing can be diagnosed and treated quickly before they get any worse. However, that’s not the only reason why dental check-ups are important for kids. There are a number of other important benefits of taking your child to see the dentist:

 

 

  • They can monitor the eruption of your child’s adult teeth, ensuring that this goes smoothly and without complications.
     

  • Your dentist can refer your child for orthodontic treatment if required (the majority of children will need some orthodontic treatment to correct the alignment of their teeth or their bite).
     

  • They can help educate your child on the importance of brushing their teeth, flossing, and making healthy food choices to maximize their oral health.
     

  • Your dentist can also help your child to break tooth-harming habits that typically develop in childhood, such as thumb-sucking or prolonged pacifier use.

 


Studies show that children who develop a good understanding of the importance of oral care and how to properly brush and floss their teeth when they are younger are more likely to take good dental habits into adulthood. 

 




How Often Should My Child Have A Dental Check-Up?



Every child is different and your pediatric dentist will recommend just how often yours should come in for a dental check-up. This will be based on their previous visit, whether or not they have any ongoing dental issues, and any other personal circumstances.


For example, if there is a tooth erupting that your dentist feels would benefit from closer monitoring, they may recommend that your child comes back in three months rather than six. However, as a bare minimum, children are recommended to visit their dentist for at least two check-ups every year, spaced six months apart. 

 

 




For more information about pediatric dental check-ups, visit Colwick Pediatric Dentistry in Cleburne, Texas. Call (817) 382-3029 to schedule an appointment today.

ArleeVa123! Deep Cleaning 8:00 AM - 4:00PM 8:00 AM - 4:00PM 8:00 AM - 4:00PM 8:00 AM - 4:00PM 8:00 AM- 4:00PM Closed Closed dentist