Provide education on brushing and diet during examination.

When examining a child’s mouth, the child health professional should

Assess oral hygiene (eg, presence of plaque or debris on the teeth).

Provide education about removal of plaque and debris using the appropriate-sized toothbrush.

Inspect all tooth surfaces using a mirror.

Determine whether tooth eruption and exfoliation are proceeding according to schedule.

Assess for white spots or tooth decay.

Identify dental irregularities and alignment of teeth.