Back to school is the perfect time to get back on track with your kids’ dental checkups. Just like adults, kids need to visit the dentist twice a year for cleanings and exams. Visiting the dentist helps children understand the importance of good dental health so that they maintain good brushing habits throughout the rest of the year. It also gives us a chance to check on your child’s dental development, check for cavities, and more.
Back-to-School Dental Check-Ups for All Ages
Preschool and Kindergarten
Kids can get cavities in their baby teeth, too, and getting them filled is very important! The decay can spread from one tooth to another and even affect the development of their permanent teeth.
We’ll check to make sure your child’s teeth are erupting properly, and talk about what to expect when they lose their first tooth. We’ll also discuss good brushing habits, and show your child how to brush their teeth the right way.
Elementary School
Kids this age are getting their full set of permanent teeth, so it’s vital to help them understand the importance of good brushing habits. They need to take good care of their new teeth because they will have them for the rest of their lives. Talking with a dentist about the future of their teeth will underscore just how important daily brushing and flossing can be.
The chances of getting cavities increase as your child gets older. 10% of kids aged 6-8 and 30% of kids aged 9-11 have cavities in their permanent teeth. We’ll check for cavities and give your child’s mouth a thorough cleaning. Hopefully, they’ll leave the chair cavity-free! But if not, we’ll schedule an appointment to get their cavities filled.
At this age, kids can also start getting fluoride treatments at their twice-yearly dentist visits. We can apply a fluoride varnish that strengthens the enamel on their new teeth and gives them extra protection from cavities.
Middle School
More than half of adolescents have had at least one cavity, and that’s okay! Cavities happen. The important thing is to detect them and treat them as soon as possible, so that tooth decay can’t spread any further. We can provide fluoride treatments or fillings as needed.
Around this age, we’ll also be able to determine whether or not your child will need orthodontic treatment. Underbites, overbites, gaps, crowding, and other misalignments can all be corrected with braces or Invisalign. And if they want to get their teeth straightened before they start high school, now is the time.
High School
Cavities aren’t the only dental problem teens face. Gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease, is also common in teens. Flossing, brushing with fluoride toothpaste, avoiding sugary foods and drinks, and getting regular cleanings will help prevent gingivitis. Staying away from smoking and vaping will also protect teens’ gum health.
Another reason that dentist visits are so important for teenagers is that their wisdom teeth are getting ready to erupt. Dental x-rays help us predict when the wisdom teeth will grow in, and whether there will be enough room in your teen’s mouth for all of them. If any of their wisdom teeth are impacted, we’ll help you schedule an appointment for a tooth extraction.
Family Dentist in Fort Collins
Whether you have preschoolers or teens, don’t forget to make a trip to the dentist part of your back-to-school routine. College Ave Modern Dental offers a full range of dental treatments for kids and teens, from fillings to fluoride, to Invisalign. Our flexible scheduling and Saturday availability make it easy to get the whole family to the dentist. Call us to schedule back-to-school checkups for your kids, or request an appointment online.