Importance of 6 month check-ups
How important are 6 month recare appointments? Your child’s health is important to us and that has a lot to do with oral health. It is recommended by the AAPD and the ADA that everyone have a routine 6 month checkup.
The AAPD recommends children be seen at one year of age or 6 months after the eruption of their first tooth. A dental visit at this early age helps establish a relationship between you , your child and their Pediatric dentist. Establishing this relationship early, will help your child have good experiences at the dentist and you have a dental home in case of emergencies. Being seen by your dentist every 6 months allows us to continue to monitor your child’s dental health and catch any potential areas of concern early. Then we are able to be as conservative as possible when treating your child’s teeth. Dental radiographs are an important diagnostic tool for dentists and help us see areas of the teeth that cannot be seen clinically with our eyes. We recommend children start with x-rays at age 4 so that we are able to evaluate the in between surfaces of your child’s teeth. During your dental exam we will use your child’s x-rays and their clinical exam to determine if there is any decay present. At a 6 month recare appointment, your child will also get their teeth cleaned by the hygienist and a topical fluoride will be applied. The topical application of fluoride is highly recommended to help in the prevention of decay. Fluoride is a useful part of dental health and has the ability to re-mineralize weakened spots in tooth enamel.
Just as it is important to have 6 month cleanings, your dentist and dental hygienist always encourage you to brush and floss your children’s teeth atleast two times a day at home.