Teeth Cleanings for Kids
Keeping Baby Teeth Healthy
The Kid Dentist team understands the importance of keeping baby teeth healthy and clean. As your child gets older, he or she should have dental checkups regularly throughout the year. Most dentists — including Drs. Sorensen and Wing — recommend a dental visit every six months to help prevent cavities and other problems. Talk with your child’s dentist about the schedule that is best for your child!
What to Expect
Remove plaque and tartar.
Bacteria love sugar just as much as your child does! Unfortunately, without proper cleaning, bacteria on the teeth can lead to childhood dental decay.
Decay develops when sugars are left on the teeth after eating or drinking. Over time, this bacteria forms a sticky film, called plaque, that attaches the tooth enamel. Since dental plaque is nearly invisible, most parents don’t know if their children are at higher risk for cavities or gum disease. Though brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash regularly helps remove plaque buildup, not all of the bacteria in your mouth can be removed with a normal toothbrush.
Only a dental professional will be able to remove tartar (hardened plaque) from your child’s smile, which is why it’s important to schedule a teeth cleaning twice a year. During your child’s teeth cleaning appointment, a dental hygienist will be able to gently scrape away plaque hiding in between teeth and along the gum line.
Polish and exam your child’s teeth.
Once the tartar and plaque have been removed from your child’s teeth, our team will gently “polish” the teeth. Tooth polishing is a painless dental procedure some patients even enjoy it). The teeth will be polished small, using a soft, rubber-tipped “brush” and flavoured paste. This creates a smooth, shiny, bacteria-free tooth surface for your child’s dentist to exam.
Apply a flouride treatment.
Fluoride is a naturally-occurring mineral that helps prevent cavities in both children and adults. When applied to the teeth, fluoride can strengthen the outer surface of the teeth (enamel) and make it more resistant to processes that break it down and cause tooth decay.
Fluoride can be found naturally in water and food sources or may be topically applied in the form of toothpaste, oral rinses and professional treatments. A sufficient amount of fluoride is important for children and their developing teeth so our team will help make the proper fluoride recommendations for your child.
How Often Should Kids Visit the Dentist?
Once your child has established a dental home, it’s a good practice to visit the dentist at least twice per year. Two trips to the dentist on an annual basis helps:
- Ensure your child’s teeth are aligned correctly.
- Protect teeth from cavities and decay.
- Monitor minor growth and development issues.
- Establish familiarity and trust with the dentist – this is especially important for young children.
Kids’ Teeth Cleanings in Spanish Fork
Keeping your teeth healthy with regular dental visits is important. When teeth start to have problems, they can impact life quickly. As your child gets older, he or she should have dental checkups to help keep their smile happy and healthy. To schedule a dental cleaning for kids at our Spanish Fork dental office, call us today!
Contact Us
497 N Main St
Spanish Fork, UT 84660
Phone: 801-798-2100
Fax: 801-798-9977