Questions you should ask at your child’s dental checkup.

Scheduling a pediatric dental checkup can be a great time to ask questions about your child’s oral healthcare. Your dentist will take this time during your child’s dental checkup to relay information to you about dental problems that may need to be addressed. This is a good opportunity get your questions answered about your child’s oral health. To prepare, you should take some time to write down any concerns you may have about your child’s oral health. These questions about your child’s oral health will often come up daily at home when you spend time with them so keep a list of your concerns as you see them. Being prepared for your child’s routine checkup can be productive use of your time and can help spot potential oral health problems early. To help you during your child’s visit, here are some helpful questions that are frequently asked.

Why are my child’s gum swollen?

When your child’s gums are swollen, the gums may protrude or bulge out. Occasionally your child’s gum may become swollen because they are teething which is normal. However, if your child’s gum is always swollen, this may be an indication of much more sever dental problems. A common cause of swollen gums is gingivitis. Gingivitis is a disease that cause the gums to become irritated a swollen. Gingivitis can affect children and adults. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to sever form of gum disease call periodontal disease and premature tooth loss. To determine if your child’s gum is healthy, the dentist will check your child’s gum is cause by disease or a normal tooth erupting.

My child complains about their teeth being sensitive.

If your child is always experiencing tooth sensitivity while eating and drinking, this could be an indication that your child is suffering from tooth damage or cavities. Your child’s dentist will be able to take a closer look at the sensitive teeth to determine if the tooth sensitivity is caused by cavities or your thinning enamel. If the tooth sensitivity is cause by cavities, the dentist will recommend further treatment to remove the tooth cavity. If cavity is not the problem, the dentist will recommend toothpaste designed to treat sensitive teeth.

Will my child need orthodontic treatment?

While your child’s pediatric dentist cannot provide orthodontic treatment, your child’s dentist is well trained to spot problems during your child’s oral examination. They will monitor your child’s tooth growth pattern and track any changes during your child’s appointment. If there is significant change in your child’s tooth growth pattern, your child’s pediatric dentist will refer your child to an orthodontic dentist. If your child does require orthodontic treatment, their dentist will be able to continue to treat them while they have braces.

If you’re ready to schedule your child’s next dental appointment, call our California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 today. We will be happy to answer all of your questions about your child’s oral health routine and concerns.