The advice of leading dental bodies is that regular dental check-ups should begin at your child’s first birthday and take place every six months thereafter. With the school holidays approaching, this is a great time to book examinations and cleans for all the family!

Why isn’t my child’s brushing at home enough?

We all know that a regular and comprehensive oral care routine is important to keep your child’s teeth and gums healthy. But the definition of ‘regular’ and ‘comprehensive’ can vary from person to person, and a child’s idea of brushing for long enough is often nowhere near enough! A quick brush morning and night isn’t enough to keep tartar and plaque in check, which is why dentists recommend a six-monthly examination and clean for your child.

The hygienist or dentist will use special instruments to gently remove any plaque that may be building up on the teeth before it can develop into harmful tartar. An exam and clean isn’t at all painful and helps establish your child in a routine of good dental care to last a lifetime.

How does an exam and clean prevent problems?

Checking your child’s teeth for signs of decay is just one element of the examination, the dentist or hygienist will also carry out:

• Evaluation of gum health
• Head and neck examination (underlying problems can manifest as physical signs)
• Developmental check on any erupting or loose teeth
• Bite alignment check
• Saliva assessment (too much? not enough? unusual colour?)
• Jaw movement analysis

An exam and clean appointment is the ideal time for your dentist to assess your child’s current oral health, monitor any changes since the last visit and advise on any required action early on. Similarly, you can ask any questions you may have and learn how to prevent a range of common oral problems developing.

What are my options?

Most commonly an exam and clean every six months is recommended to complement the brushing your child does every day at home.

Don’t forget that most family health insurance plans include two examinations and professional cleans twice a year, so by having an exam and clean every six months, not only will you be keeping your child’s teeth and gums in great shape, but you’ll be getting your money’s worth too!

For more information on dental checkups, please do not hesitate to contact KIDS. Alternatively, complete the form below, and one of our friendly team members will contact you.