How a Pediatric Dental Cleaning Is Different

Pediatric dental cleaning is a preventative treatment that helps keep your child’s teeth decay-free. It also helps the child become familiarized with the clinic and getting dental treatments performed on them. Dentists can also use these appointments as opportunities to educate parents and children about the importance of good oral hygiene habits.

The importance of pediatric dental cleaning

Biannual dental cleanings are arguably more important for children than adults. Children are still learning how to properly clean their teeth, so plaque and tartar can build up more. Plaque is made by oral bacteria in the mouth and contains acids that eat away at teeth structures. When left on teeth, plaque can harden into tartar, which is much more difficult to remove.

Plaque can be removed by brushing and flossing, so while it damages teeth structures, it can be easily removed. However, tartar cannot be removed by brushing or flossing. A metal scaler is needed to scrape it off.

Teeth cleaning for children is much like teeth cleaning for adults, but there are a few key differences. These include the following.

Oral hygiene

Dentists typically keep an eye out for issues like receding gums and gum disease when cleaning the teeth of older patients, but these issues rarely affect children. Instead of wasting time searching for issues that rarely affect children, pediatric dentists inspect the child’s teeth for signs that let them know if the child is practicing good oral hygiene.

Flossing

Children do not need to floss their teeth until they are older if they have enough space between their baby teeth to clean them with the bristles of a toothbrush. The same applies to a pediatric dental cleaning. The dentist might not floss the child’s teeth if they can clean all the sides with a scaler and sonic instrument.

Development of baby teeth

A pediatric dentist also checks to see how a child’s teeth are developing while cleaning their teeth. Depending on the dentist’s findings, diagnostics like X-rays might be recommended to get a clearer picture of how the child’s teeth are erupting underneath the gums.

Child-friendly equipment

A pediatric teeth cleaning is performed using tools and equipment that are designed with children in mind. This makes the experience more comfortable for the child and helps them relax during the treatment. Even adults might find some of the conventional tools used by dentists a bit intimidating.

Dental sealants

These are preventative treatments used to protect the molars of children. These teeth are more vulnerable to decay because they are the hardest to clean. Sealants can be painted on teeth that are prone to decay, and they serve as a barrier that prevents acids in the mouth from making direct contact with the tooth. Sealants can protect teeth from decay for over three years.

Pediatric teeth cleanings promote healthy teeth

Pediatric dental cleanings can get rid of plaque and tartar buildup on your child’s teeth, and they help get the child accustomed to going to the clinic. Call or visit our Phoenix clinic to set up an appointment with our dentist.

Request an appointment here: https://nettsmiles.com or call Nett Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics at (623) 759-7658 for an appointment in our Phoenix office.

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