Teeth Cleaning (Kids)
Having your teeth professionally cleaned is about more than a bright and shiny smile. Getting your child’s teeth cleaned at the dentist on a regular basis may be the most important way we help your child prevent oral health problems.
A teeth cleaning is part of a routine preventive visit to our practice. At your child’s cleaning appointment, we can also give you tips on your at-home oral care routine, diet and anything about your child’s smile that you may be concerned or have questions about.
Plus, there’s nothing like that smooth, fresh feeling you get after your cleaning!
Dental check-ups on a regular basis are a very important part of maintaining your child’s teeth and overall health. The frequency of your visits to Weston Family Practice is based upon your child’s needs and oral health.
What Is A Teeth Cleaning?
A professional cleaning at our surgery is the only way to remove the stuck-on plaque and tartar that is left behind even after your child brushes.
In addition to flossing and brushing two times a day (for two whole minutes), visiting us at least twice a year for your child’s teeth cleaning helps us catch and prevent common tooth problems, such as tooth decay (cavities) and gum disease. When oral health problems are caught early, they are easier and less expensive to treat and are less likely to cause your child trouble in the future.
Procedure Overview
The order and details of what happens during your child’s teeth cleaning appointment depend on your child’s individual situation, but usually follow this general order:
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We begin with an examination to look at your child’s teeth, gums, tongue, and the rest of their mouth. This helps us assess your child’s oral health and identify any areas that need special attention during the cleaning process.
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Next, the dentist will remove tartar and plaque from your child’s teeth by gently scraping them with a scaler or “dental pick.” A scaler can do what a toothbrush cannot: when plaque stays on teeth too long, it hardens into a calculus called tartar. A scaler in the skilled hands of a dentist is the only way to remove this tough debris. For particularly tough or larger amounts of tartar, we may use an ultrasonic scaler. This tool uses ultrasonic waves to help break up calculus, making it easier to remove quickly and with less scraping.
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Afterward, we use a special polisher and paste to remove stains and smooth the surfaces of your child’s teeth. The polisher uses a small rubber cup that spins as it applies a mildly abrasive paste, which is similar to regular toothpaste but a little thicker.
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Throughout the teeth cleaning process, we will occasionally rinse your child’s teeth with a small jet of water and suction the excess water and saliva away. This clears away plaque, tartar, and polishing paste. If we need to get a better look at a certain tooth, we may also dry it out using a few quick puffs of air, making it easier to see build-up and surface irregularities.
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As a final step, we floss your child’s teeth using standard dental floss to remove any remaining polishing paste. Once your child’s teeth are nice and clean, they’re all set until their next visit!