Cleanings Remove Harmful Plaque Layers
Plaque buildup can be brought on by poor oral hygiene and even the foods your child eats. Without removal, this could increase the risk of tooth decay and other complications. To remove these layers and protect little smiles, your Dallas, TX, pediatric dentist will provide a thorough dental cleaning twice a year!
The Causes and Impacts of Plaque Buildup
When kids (and adults) eat and drink foods and beverages with lots of sugar and starch, this allows particles to cling to the teeth or become stuck between them. Harmful oral bacteria will then break down these particles, a process that causes a rise in oral acidity and coats the teeth in harmful layers of plaque, which eventually hardens into tartar. This layer weakens and erodes the outer enamel, making the risk of tooth decay higher. For older kids, this can also irritate the gum tissues, causing sensitivity and bleeding as gingivitis develops. Removing this buildup safeguards your teeth and gums, and also offers fresher breath and brighter teeth.
The Dental Cleaning
To remove all buildup and polish the teeth, your child needs a dental cleaning. We recommend this every six months for kids starting at around age two. The process is a fairly simple one. Using an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual pick, we remove all plaque and tartar for the teeth and along the gum line. We then polish the teeth thoroughly. This helps offer a smoother finish and a brighter appearance, and reduces the risk of serious oral health issues. We then apply a fluoride gel to the teeth to help fight cavities, and if your children have trouble reaching the back teeth when they brush and floss, we could apply a dental sealant to prevent food from being stuck on or between these teeth.
Controlling Buildup At Home
Care at home helps reduce how much plaque and tartar can form in the time between your child’s dental cleaning visits. Your children should take time to brush for two minutes in the morning and again at night. Kids three and younger should use a rice-sized bit of fluoride toothpaste, and kids three and older need a pea-sized amount. Once there are teeth sitting side-by-side, kids need to floss every evening as well, as this removes what a toothbrush alone cannot. If you have any questions about dental cleanings, then contact our team today to learn more.
Do You Need to Schedule Your Child’s Cleaning?
We want to help your children enjoy optimal oral health. If you have any questions about controlling harmful plaque and tartar, then contact your Dallas, TX pediatric dentist, Dr. Marr, by calling (214) 321-4880.
filed under: Preventive Treatments