As parents, we are often juggling a million things, so it's easy to lose track of how long it's been since your child's last dental check-up. However, having a good dental care routine is a key part of keeping your child's oral health on track and staying ahead of any potential issues. Having good dental hygiene and building these habits from a young age can help prevent cavities and save you're family money on expensive dental treatments down the road.
If you are a new parent and unsure about whether or not it's time to make a first or next appointment, here are five signs our Fort Worth-based children's dentist has come up with to show your child may be due (or overdue!) for a visit/check-up.
1. It's Been Over Six Months Since Their Last Appointment
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), children should visit the dentist every six months for a dental cleaning and check-up. These regular visits are very important because they can help catch minor issues like cavities and gum inflammation before they become painful or larger problems.
At Smile Ninja, our patient-trusted providers— Dr.Mund, D.D.S., Dr.Riley, D.D.S., and Dr. Hatami, D.D.S., recommend bi-annual dental visits to help prevent decay and plaque buildup within your child's teeth. You can add a reminder every six months to your calendar to help you remember when your child might be due for a check-up. At Smile Ninja Dental in Fort Worth, we also send out SMS reminders a week prior to your appointment so you are up to date on all of your child's check-ups and cleanings.
2. Your Child Complains About Tooth Aches and Sensitivity
It is important to note that anytime a child mentions tooth pain, gum discomfort, or sensitivity to hot and cold foods, it's time to make an appointment with your child's dentist. Our offices in Fort Worth accept walk-in appointments and have scheduling flexibility for situations like these, where your child needs instant relief. These symptoms are often early signs of cavities or enamel erosion, and while these problems are common, they are very treatable if caught early. If you are curious to learn more about what specifically causes tooth sensitivity in children, you can look at this article: Colgate: What Causes Tooth Sensitivity in Children?, which explores the symptoms and causes of tooth sensitivity and ways to help.
3. Your Child is Struggling with Brushing or Flossing
If your child is refusing to brush, rushing through it, and struggling to reach certain teeth, it's important to give them a proper refresher on the correct brushing techniques. At each check-up, young kids receive instruction from our children's dentist to help coach your little one through brushing and floss properly. Our providers can also offer specific tips tailored to your child's age that are fun and easy to remember to improve their overall brushing and flossing habits.
4. You Notice Their Gums Bleeding
Bleeding gums during brushing can be a sign of gum inflammation and sometimes even gum disease. If your child hasn't been flossing regularly, this can provoke gum inflammation and soreness when they do floss. This can be uncomfortable and can lead to decay and infections. If you've spotted bleeding gums in your child, don't wait. If you are located in or around Fort Worth, our children's dentists are accepting new patients, can assess what is going on, and offer guidance. For more information about gum health, check out this resource from the ADA.
5. Your Child Has Lost or Gained Teeth Recently
Whether it's your child's first baby tooth falling out or a new adult molar coming in, any major changes to their smile are a good time to get a check-up with your children's dentist. This way, we can ensure that their teeth and bite are developing properly. This way, we can ensure that everything is aligned and can spot any early signs of crowding or alignment issues, as well as the need for orthodontics. All of our advanced dental providers are adept at spotting misalignments in teeth and can make any necessary referrals.
Why Choose Smile Ninja for Your Child's Dental Care?
Located in Fort Worth, Texas, with multiple locations, our team of dedicated kids dentists specializes in providing gentle, fun, and educational care for children of all ages. So, whether it's your toddler's first exam or your teen's bi-annual check-up, our goal is to make dental care stress-free and accessible to everyone. We take pride in combining clinical excellence with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. We love serving the Fort Worth area and hearing from our patients about how our dental practice makes their kids love the dentist and attend dental cleanings without fear.
Book Your Appointment Today
Don't wait to schedule your child's next dental appointment with one of our experienced providers! We are accepting new patients at both of our office locations throughout Fort Worth, Texas, for 2025. Give us a call or schedule an appointment on our website.