Dental Exams in Allen, TX

Annual dental exams are an important preemptive step to maintaining the health and wellness of your children's smiles. A yearly oral exam at Cuddly Smiles Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics can help identify dental decay, gum disease, cancer of oral tissues, and numerous other problems that may be affecting your child's oral and general health. Often offered at biannual teeth cleaning appointments, oral exams let pediatric dentists Dr. Yvonne Felli and Dr. Ajikwaga Felli assess the teeth, gum tissues, bite, TMJ, and further oral features of their young patients to identify and take care of any dental concerns as soon as possible. To maintain the health and appearance of your child's mouth, set up a dental exam and cleaning at our Allen, TX office today.

Frisco, Plano, and Lucas, TX children should have a dental exam at least once a year. However, you may also schedule them to evaluate oral pain, trauma, and various other issues that may manifest between appointments. The ADA (American Dental Association) suggests that all young patients visit the dentist before they are a year old. Our pediatric-trained dental professionals can address several issues in your little one, such as tooth development and sucking on the thumb, and give you tips and pointers on caring for your child's teeth and gums. At particular routine exams, a set of digital x-rays might be performed to give us a better image of the health of your child's teeth and bone tissues. From there, we'll screen for cancer of the mouth, identify any places of periodontal disease, check the alignment of the arches and jaw joints, and assess your child's teeth for irregularities. At the end of your child's appointment, we may discuss any problems we discovered or will encourage your child to keep up the good work! Once you leave, it's important for your child to maintain good dental habits, including brushing twice daily and flossing at least once daily. If necessary, someone from our team will plan follow-up appointments or schedule your child's next annual exam.

What does a pediatric dental exam check for?

At Cuddly Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, a pediatric dental exam will check your child's teeth for:

• Tooth decay
• Gum disease
• Oral cancer
• The growth progress and health of their adult teeth
• The straightness and alignment of the teeth
• Other possible issues

How long does a children's dental exam usually take?

The dental exam itself is relatively quick, usually done in about 30 minutes or less. The teeth cleaning can also take about 30 minutes to finish.

Do pediatric dental exams hurt?

No, they don't. Dental exams don't hurt at all. Some children with sensitive teeth can find the teeth cleaning that is part of an exam a little uncomfortable, but it isn't painful.

How often should children get a dental exam?

According to the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry, children should have a dental exam every six months to prevent cavities, gum disease, and to check the progress of their teeth. At a minimum, children should have a dental exam once a year.

Routine oral exams are an important aspect in maintaining your child's oral health and developing healthy dental habits in your child. These annual exams can help identify and treat any oral issues early on. Schedule your child's annual dental exams with pediatric dentists Drs. Yvonne and Ajikwaga Felli at our Allen, TX facility as soon as you can.