At your child’s dentist appointment there are a few questions you might want to ask. These are some common questions parents ask the dentist.
You have made sure that you have kept your little ones diligent about brushing and flossing their teeth. You’ve even purchased the mouthwash for children. Now, it is time for them to go to their semi-annual visit with the dentist. There are several questions that you may want to ask them. Here are some integral questions that you may want to ask your child’s dentist.
8Are They Flossing Enough?
Flossing is definitely an important aspect of dental hygiene. It is a pretty important one, too, since brushing can only get so far in between their little teeth. However, you do not have to use string floss. Typically, they make specific floss picks that are made just for little hands and little mouths. Their dentist will be able to tell you upon examination if your children are flossing enough, and if they should be flossing more. According to Stanford Children’s, children should floss at least once a day for two to three minutes. But again, your child’s dentist will let you know the best course of action.
7Are They Using The Right Toothpaste?
Sometimes dentists will recommend that your child not use a fluoridated toothpaste until your children hit a certain age. Ask your child’s dentist if the current toothpaste that they are using is an effective one, and if it isn’t, what is the best toothpaste for them to use? They will be able to steer you in the right direction of what toothpaste is the best, and whether to purchase fluoridated toothpaste yet or not, depending on their age.
6Should My Child Get Sealants On Their Teeth?
Sealants are only typically put on newly erupted permanent teeth, they aren’t placed on baby teeth. So it all depends on the age of your child. By age six, if they have gotten their six-year molars, your child’s dentist may suggest sealants. According to Evanson DDS, sealants are placed on the area of the molar where your children use to bite, in order to prevent bacteria from settling in that area. Your child may have gotten their six-year molars early, so make sure to ask about molars and sealants with your child’s dentist.
5Can You Show My Child How To Brush Their Teeth?
Many dental hygienists and dentists are well-versed in this topic and are more than happy to show your child just how they should be brushing their teeth. Not that they are doing it wrong, but perhaps they could be doing it for longer or they may be missing integral spots that they should be brushing at.
4Does My Child Need An X-Ray Today?
X-Rays can be a valuable tool in diagnosing tooth decay and other problems. However, they should only be used when they are absolutely needed. So, this is definitely a prudent question to ask your child’s dentist. According to Mouth Healthy, the decaying process between your child’s teeth can move at a very rapid rate. Most dentists only do them if they are wholly necessary in order to avoid exposing your child to unnecessary radiation.
3How Often Does My Child Need To Be Seen?
Typically, as long as there are no problems in between, children should be seen by their family or pediatric dentist once every six months, so twice a year, according to The Super Dentists. Dental health is right on par with children’s overall health, so make sure to get them to the dentist at least twice a year.
2Are They Using The Right Toothbrush?
Believe it or not, there are differences between toothbrushes! There are soft ones, hard ones, little ones, big ones, ones with special tools in them in order to sweep away decay. It is important to know which kind of toothbrush would be best for your child. Because every child is different and no two are the same, what might be good for one child, may not be the right toothbrush for your child. Your child’s dentist should be able to answer this question.
1How Can I Prevent Tooth Decay & Damage?
A good routine of brushing and flossing, and even sometimes mouthwash can be needed in order to prevent tooth decay in your children. Perhaps they are still young, and are still sucking their thumb or using a pacifier, your child’s dentist will be able to teach you a good routine in which you will be able to keep your child’s teeth nice and healthy. It is always important, as well, to limit sugar intake, and that children should brush their teeth after having sugary sweets. However, hygienists or the dentist themselves should be able to give you a good routine that your child should follow when taking care of their teeth.
Sources: Stanford Children’s Health, The Super Dentists, Mouth Healthy, Evanson DDS
This article by Jennifer Passmore was originally posted on Moms.com on February 4, 2021.
