Keeping Little Smiles Clean
Over time, plaque and tartar buildup can threaten the health of little smiles, leaving them vulnerable to issues like tooth decay, or even infection and gingivitis! But our team can provide a professional cleaning to brighten smiles and keep them healthy. In today’s blog, your Dallas, TX, pediatric dentist talks about dental cleanings for kids.
The Onset of Plaque and Tartar Buildup
No matter what age we are, over time harmful oral bacteria will consume the particles of sugar and starch left behind by the foods and drinks we consume. When this happens, it creates a bacterial byproduct known as plaque, which coats the teeth. This sticky layer cannot be removed with brushing and flossing alone, and can harden into tartar. For kids and adults alike, these layers are linked to tooth decay, dental infection, bad breath, and stained teeth. With a routine cleaning every few months, we can remove these layers and polish the teeth, improving the health and beauty of your child’s smile.
The Dental Cleaning
The dental cleaning process happens as part of your child’s routine checkup visit, which should happen every six months starting at around age two. During this procedure, we will use an ultrasonic scaling device to thoroughly remove plaque and tartar using gentle vibrations. Next, we employ a simple manual pick to remove the more stubborn portions. Afterward, we will polish the teeth. This portion of the procedure not only brightens the smile, but helps make it more difficult for plaque and tartar to accumulate before the next six-month visit!
Brushing and Flossing
While brushing and flossing cannot remove layers from the teeth, they can help limit how much plaque and tartar can accumulate in between your child’s dental checkup and cleaning visit. Kids should brush in the morning for two minutes with an age-appropriate toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste. Kids three and younger use a rice-sized amount while kids over the age of three use a pea-sized blot. Kids should do the same before bed, and also floss in the evening too. These actions help remove stray food and drink particles to fight plaque and tartar buildup, as well as cavities and gingivitis.
If you have any questions about how we can help children enjoy better oral health, or if you would like to schedule a checkup and cleaning visit for your little one, then reach out to our team today!
PDC Kids Want to Help Little Smiles Stay Bright and Clean
Our team wants to help your little ones avoid issues like cavities and gingivitis. To find out more about protecting little smiles or to set up a visit, call Pediatric Dental Care at Casa Linda in Dallas, TX, today at (214) 321-4880.
filed under: Children's Dental Services