There is a lot going on in your child's mouth. Teeth are coming in, bones are shifting, and habits are being formed.

During each visit to the dentist, your child's mouth is going to be examined for signs of problems that can be dealt with early, so as to avoid major restorations or corrections later.

These are just a few of the things that your child's dentist is on the lookout for during routine dental examinations.

Dentists Have a Checklist When Examining Your Child's Mouth

When your child's dentist goes into their mouth, they begin by looking at the most obvious stuff. They are looking for signs of early decay, cavities, or problems.

They are looking at the alignment of the teeth coming in, and if the teeth are being pushed together in a way that could lead to problems later in life. Oral cancer is another thing that a dentist is looking for, but this is incredibly rare in children.

They are also going to look for areas of the mouth that do not appear as clean as the rest of the mouth. That way, they can talk with your child about keeping that area a bit cleaner with the hopes that they can avoid any type of cavity there down the line. If they notice a sign that your child may need braces at some point, they may also start making preparations for that sooner, rather than later.

Your child's dentist isn't just going in and poking around. They have specific things they are looking for in each part of the mouth. If you have any concerns about your child's oral habits, need for braces, or just overall oral health, make sure to ask the next time you take your child to the dentist.

Please contact our office if you have any questions about your child's oral health.