How to Prepare For A Child’s Dental Appointment Before The School Year

Before kids go back to school, it’s important to make sure they see their pediatric dentist. A child’s dental appointment can be beneficial just before the school year starts, for a variety of different reasons. For example, pediatric dentists have the ability to use x rays to see in between the teeth and catch tiny cavities before symptoms such as pain and difficulty eating even start. This is especially important to have taken care of before school, as kids with poor oral health tend to miss more school days and have lower academic performance. (Centers for Disease Control, 2019). Furthermore, it’s equally important to be prepared with any questions or concerns about your child’s dental care!

Good Questions To Ask At Your Child’s Dental Appointment

Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to protecting your child’s oral health. Because dental visits are usually only made every six months, make sure to brainstorm and think of any questions that you may have between now and your child’s next bi-annual appointment. Some of the following are examples of good questions to ask:

1. When do kids typically have all of their adult teeth in?
2. When should we expect wisdom teeth to grow in? If they come in early, should we have them removed?
3. Are there any ways to prevent cavities besides practicing good oral hygiene?
4. When does a child need to wear a mouthguard?
5. Which teeth are most prone to developing cavities?
6. Does my child need to have dental x-rays?

Depending on the answers to these questions, you may need to schedule an appointment sooner than six months. If there are cavities or extractions that need to be taken care of, expect to make another trip to the dentist within a few days to a few weeks (depending on their availability).

What To Bring To The Dentist

It’s easy to forget to bring important things when you’re in a hurry or if you’re struggling to get your child to leave for the dentist. Some of the main things that you should try to remember to bring include the following:

1. Your child’s dental insurance card, and the insurance carrier’s social security number
2. Any mouthguards or nightguards that your child is currently using
3. Dental x-rays from any other dentist the child has seen recently
4. A list of current medications your child is on, and health history information
5. Your license/ID for verification
6. Pharmacy information in case medication needs to be prescribed

When all is said and done, you should have your questions answered and your child should feel confident knowing they have a healthy mouth before school starts! Advanced Children’s Dentistry is a pediatric dental practice in Nassau County, NY where Dr. Sybil Padavathil provides a fun, educational and compassionate experience for both parent and child. Schedule your child’s dental appointment today at 516-758-KIDS!