Understanding Your Child’s Oral Health Assessment
A simple guide to the scores you receive during your child’s dental visit.
At Dentistry for Kids, we evaluate several important areas of your child’s oral health during each checkup. These scores help us identify strengths, monitor changes over time, and create personalized recommendations to keep your child’s smile healthy.
How We Score Each Category
Each area is scored on a scale of 0 to 2 to help us understand your child’s current oral health.
2 – Healthy!
Great job! Your child is in excellent shape.
1 – Watch Area
Some improvement needed. We’ll work together.
0 – Needs Attention
Significant concerns. We’ll create a plan.
1. Excellent
How clean are your child’s teeth and gums?
Excellent
Clean teeth with healthy gums
Needs Improvement
Some plaque or mild gingivitis.
Heavy plaque and gingivitis.
Significant Concern
How to improve
-
Brush twice daily
-
Floss daily
-
Attend regular cleanings
2. Active Decay
Are there any cavities?
No Active Decay
No cavities detected.
Small Areas
Early decay or small areas to watch.
Multiple areas of active decay.
Multiple Areas
How to improve
-
Limit sugary snacks
-
Drink water
-
Regular dental visits
3. Gingivitis
How healthy are your child’s gums?
Healthy Gums
No redness or bleeding.
Mild Gingivitis
Some redness or bleeding.
Frequent bleeding, inflammation.
Significant Gingivitis
How to improve
-
Brush along gumline
-
Floss daily
-
Use soft toothbrush
4. Periodontal Health
How healthy are your child’s gums?
Healthy Support
Healthy bone and tissue.
Early Concern
Mild bone or tissue changes.
Significant bone or tissue loss.
Advanced Concern
How to improve
-
Maintain good hygiene
-
Keep regular visits
-
Follow recommendations
5. Occlusion (Bite)
How well do the teeth fit together?
2 – Ideal Bite
Teeth fit together well.
Minor Issue
Slight bite concerns.
Bite may affect function.
Significant Issue
How to improve
-
Avoid harmful habits
-
Orthodontic evaluation
-
Follow treatment plan
6. TMJ (Jaw Joint)
How is the health of the jaw joint?
Healthy
No sounds or deviations.
Occasional Sounds
Some clicks or pops, but no pain.
Pain or Limitation
Pain, locking or limited movement.
How to improve
-
Avoid hard or chewy foods
-
Good posture
-
Stress management
7. Restoration (Stability)
Are current fillings or restorations healthy?
Stable
All restorations are healthy.
Watch Area
Some wear or early breakdown.
Restorations need repair or replacement.
Needs Repair
How to improve
-
Avoid chewing hard items
-
Maintain good hygiene
-
Regular checkups
8. Tooth Wear
Is there wear on your child’s teeth?
Minimal Wear
Little to no wear.
Moderate Wear
Some wear present.
Excessive Wear
Significant wear affecting health or appearance.
How to improve
-
Avoid grinding
-
Wear night guard if needed
-
Regular monitoring
9. Reported Home Care
How are home care habits?
Excellent Habits
Brush & floss as recommended.
Fair Habits
Inconsistent brushing or flossing.
Poor Habits
Rarely brushes or flosses.
How to improve
-
Brush 2x daily
-
Floss 1x daily
-
Make it a routine
10. Consistency
Is there wear on your child’s teeth?
Minimal Wear
Little to no wear.
Moderate Wear
Some wear present.
Significant wear affecting health or appearance.
Excessive Wear
How to improve
-
Avoid grinding
-
Wear night guard if needed
-
Regular monitoring
Understanding Your Overall Assessment
Healthy
Great job! Keep doing what you’re doing. Your child’s smile is in great shape.
Watch Area
Small changes now can prevent bigger problems later. We’ll guide you.
Needs Attention
We’ll work together to address concerns and improve your child’s oral health.
Why These Assessments Matter
These scores help us track your child’s oral health over time, catch small problems early, and prevent more serious issues in the future. Our goal is a healthy, confident smile that lasts a lifetime.
Early Detection
Track Progress
Prevent Problems
Healthy Smiles
Frequently Asked Questions
