At a pediatric dental appointment, pediatric dentists work closely with the parents to help keep their child’s teeth and gums healthy. The dentist will examine the child’s teeth and gums, and may also give them a dental screening, or an oral examination. This may include taking a look at their teeth with a hand-held mirror, prodding the teeth and gums with a small tool called a dental explorer, or using an x-ray machine to take a closer look at the structure and intricacies of the teeth. The dentist may also take a look at the health of the child’s teeth and gums using a dental microscope. In addition to this, pediatric dentists also take time to discuss any concerns they have with the child’s parents about their teeth or gum health and work to improve their oral health and dental health in general. If any cavities or other signs of tooth decay are detected, they will schedule a future appointment to deal with these concerns; if time allows, they may also perform these treatments in the same appointment.