ARTICLES TO READ

WHEN SHOULD I MAKE MY CHILD'S FIRST DENTAL APPOINTMENT?

One of the most important things you can do to set up your child for a lifetime of healthy smiles is to start dental visits early. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the ADA recommend that your child's first visit to the dentist should happen when their first tooth appears but no later than their first birthday. The first visit is a "well-baby checkup" for your child's teeth. It's best for your child to have a pleasant first meeting with the dentist. Don't wait until an emergency comes up to introduce them to the dental office! At this initial visit, you can ask the dentist questions about what is best for the oral health of your child.

American Dental Association

WHY DOES MY CHILD NEED X-RAYS?

A dental x-ray is a picture of those parts of the teeth, bone, and gum tissues that cannot be seen in a clinical examination of the mouth. The details shown in the x-ray are essential in making an accurate diagnosis of your child's oral health. Modern techniques and materials along with digital x-rays have assured minimal radiation exposure to your child. The doses of radiation are so low, any potentially harmful effects have been almost impossible to detect. In fact, the benefits gained from use of dental x-rays far out weigh any risk.

But why do we need them? X-rays help your dentist evaluate the development of teeth and jaws and to detect dental problems. Without their use, early evidence of decay would not be detected until large cavities occur nor would bone destruction associated with gum disease be detected in its early stages. X-rays show abscessed teeth; failure of teeth to form; developing, unerupted extra teeth; fractures of tooth roots and cysts and tumors of the jaw.