5 Important (And 2 Critical) Questions To Ask At Your Child's Back To School Dental Exam

The end of the holidays is accompanied by health and dental checkups before the school opens. Back-to-school dental exams are mandatory in Rhode Island, Georgia, California and New York. In all other states, even though the exam is not a requirement, it is still encouraged.

While preparing for your child’s back-to-school dental exam, it is important to know what questions to ask during the appointment. So let’s dive right in.

How Is My Child's Overall Dental Health?

It is important to start with the big picture. The dentist should do a checkup and tell you about the overall oral health of your child. This includes the teeth, gums, bite, and whether the baby teeth are coming and falling off at expected times.

Does My Child Need A Cleaning?

Getting teeth cleaned on a regular basis is a good habit. It is great to develop this habit early on. Check with your Dentist if your child needs a dental cleaning.

Does My Child Need Flouride Treatment?

When a child’s teeth are growing, it is recommended to have Fluoride treatment about 2 times a year. It is a good idea to ask your doctor whether it is time to get Fluoride treatment in the back-to-school dental exam.

How To Properly Care For My Child's Teeth?

It is important for you as a parent to understand what steps you should take to imbibe good oral habits in your children. In order to do that, you should first be knowledgeable yourself. A back-to-school dental visit is a great time to bring up this subject and ask your dentist what kind of steps you can take to properly care for your child’s teeth.

What Are Dental Sealants?

Dental Sealants are invisible plastic resin coatings that smooth out the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, making them resistant to decay. They are put there to prevent cavities in children. Based on the oral exam, you can ask your dentist if your child needs a dental sealant or not.

[Critical] Which Toothpaste Is Safe For My Child?

Toothpaste is not recommended in infants. As your children grow, you should be a bit careful on the kinds of toothpastes, and the amount that you expose to your children. There are toothpastes with fluoride, but too much fluoride is harmful for your kids. You can speak with the dentist to understand the kind of toothpaste you should use with your kids.

[Critical] Is There Any Risk Of Oral Cancer For My Child?

Oral cancer is rare in children. However, if it occurs in children, the treatment is surgery, radiation and chemotherapy – basically the same as in adults. The best way to prevent oral cancer is to do a regular check-up and see if there are any unwanted growths in the mouth. A dentist can do that during a dental checkup.

Meet Dr. Alag

DDS, FAGD, Fellow in Implantology

Dr. Alag, DDS is a general dentist and among the top female dentists in Hayward, CA. She comes from a family of doctors. She graduated from a premier institute in India – Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences – and practiced for a few years there. Thereafter, she received her Doctor of Dental Surgery from New York University College of Dentistry, where she graduated with Honors in Prosthodontics.

She stays up-to-date with the latest advancements in dental care through continuing education courses. Dr. Alag, DDS is a member of AGD, CDA and ADA. She was awarded a Fellowship in Implantology by the International Dental Implant Association in 2018.

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