Extra Gentle Care For Their Gums And Teeth
Children should regularly visit their dentist, just like adults. Routine teeth cleaning and examinations are crucial for maintaining their oral health and promoting healthy development. Cleaning their teeth helps remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria that can lead to decay, gum disease, chronic bad breath, and may affect the eruption of their adult teeth. A kid-friendly hygienist can access areas that are difficult for children to reach with regular brushing and flossing at home.
After a thorough cleaning, the hygienist and dentist can closely examine their overall oral health, identify any problem areas, monitor the eruption or shedding of baby teeth, and ensure the proper placement of permanent adult teeth. They will provide guidance on what to look out for and offer tips and tricks for at-home oral care tailored to your child’s specific needs.
Routine pediatric teeth cleanings and exams help:
- Keep their baby teeth and new adult teeth as healthy and as strong as possible.
- Prevent gum disease and maintain their overall oral health.
- Monitor their progress and milestones through many changes.
- Establish a positive relationship with the dentist.
- Empowers kids to take care of their own oral health at home.
- Establish good habits that will last a lifetime.
What Happens During Children’s Teeth Cleaning?
Prior to their appointment, we’ll review your child’s chart and history to promptly identify any issues or patterns of concern. We may recommend X-rays or inquire about fluoride treatments or sealants for their new adult teeth. We’ll communicate with your child in a child-friendly manner to help them feel at ease, asking about their feelings regarding their teeth and mouth, and whether they have any questions or information to share.
Gum health
Gums play a crucial role in supporting your child’s teeth and shaping their smile, yet their importance is often overlooked. Maintaining good gum health is crucial, especially as permanent teeth emerge, as children are equally prone to gum diseases as adults. We will meticulously examine the soft tissues of their mouth and provide them with age-appropriate guidance on flossing and gum care at home.
Plaque & tartar removal
Plaque, a soft, sticky film, begins to accumulate on teeth as soon as they erupt. Without regular cleaning, plaque can harden into tartar deposits, which contribute to tooth decay and can be particularly challenging to remove between teeth and along the gum-line. A hygienist is skilled in gently scaling away plaque and tartar from these difficult-to-reach areas. Following this, we may suggest a fluoride treatment to fortify their enamel.
Watching for milestones
The dentist will review your child’s chart and any new X-rays, focusing on any issues, patterns, or new developments that require monitoring. Children typically begin getting their first set of teeth between the ages of 6 months and 6 years. They will slowly lose their baby teeth and get their permanent adult teeth all the way up into their teens (and even later for wisdom teeth!) Every child is different. The dentist will monitor their progress and will address any concerns or delays they spot.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Similar to adults, we typically recommend children come in every 6 months for teeth cleaning and a checkup, unless the dentist suggests otherwise. Some individuals may need to come in as often as every 3 months. However, we strongly advise against waiting longer than a year between visits.
Don’t wait, call us. If you have any concerns about your child’s teeth or oral health it’s best to come in right away so we can address any issues while they’re still minor.
Young children may not be able to express what they’re feeling, making it challenging to gauge their discomfort levels. Some kids may try to endure pain without speaking up. Look out for these signs that your child might be experiencing discomfort or pain:
– Excessive touching or holding of their face and teeth.
– Being defensive or fearful when others approach their face and teeth.
– Swelling, redness, or discolouration of the gums, cheeks, and teeth.
– Running a fever, which can indicate a toothache.
– Avoiding hot and cold foods and drinks.
– Avoiding hard or chewy foods, such as raw vegetables or meat chunks.
– Chewing only on one side of their mouth.
– Irritability or sadness, which can be signs of dental pain.
Appointments typically last between thirty minutes to an hour. However, they may extend longer if children have many questions or if they are anxious and require additional reassurance and patient care.
It’s important to start cleaning your child’s teeth as soon as they come in, using approved, child-friendly, and age-appropriate toothpaste and brushes. Teach them about their mouths and how to care for them, encouraging them to brush their own teeth twice a day. Fluoride treatments are beneficial for children, so consider requesting them at the dentist and using fluorinated products and drinking water at home. Limit sugary or acidic foods and drinks like juice and soda, as they can promote tooth decay; it’s especially important to avoid these treats before bed. Set a good example by brushing your own teeth twice a day and flossing regularly.
Your child should wait at least 30 minutes after a fluoride treatment before eating or drinking. Waiting the full 30 minutes gives the treatment time to work it’s magic before it’s scrubbed away by food and rinsed away with drink.
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