At Central Washington Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Neal H. Smith and Dr. Amy B. Smith know how important regular periodic dental checkups are to help discover if your child is experiencing a chronic oral condition. Children who suffer from chronic dental pain may not always tell you (or even be able to tell you) what is happening. The only signs that something is wrong might be that they appear anxious, depressed or tired.
More than one-half of all children aged 5-9 years have at least one cavity or filling in their smile. If your child has a painful tooth or chronic dental problem, it can lead to difficulty eating, speaking and concentrating, and may even cause your child to miss school.
Our dentists at Central Washington Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Neal H. Smith and Dr. Amy B. Smith, can help you decide how often your child should be seen for a dental checkup. At their visit, we will assess the following:
— Your child’s eating habits.
— How well your child’s teeth are maintained.
— Any past treatment your child has received and what their current needs are.
— Whether your child drinks fluoridated water.
— Any factors that may indicate susceptibility to oral diseases.
Remember, most children can begin brushing their own teeth by the time they are seven years old, although they will still require supervision until they are about 10-11 years old. In addition, you will want to continue flossing your child’s teeth until they are around ten years old, as flossing is a skill which takes longer to master.
At Central Washington Pediatric Dentistry, your child’s oral health is important to us, and routine dental checkups will help us give your child a healthy, confident smile! Please call our experienced team in Yakima, Washington, at 509-248-2973 to schedule your child’s next appointment with our caring dentists!
