Teeth Cleaning

What is a teeth cleaning?

A teeth cleaning is a dental treatment in which a dental professional removes plaque and bacteria from your child’s teeth. This is crucial to your child’s oral health, as teeth cleanings help prevent a number of dental problems, including:

• Cavities
• Tooth Decay
• Gum disease (gum disease)
• Tooth loss
• Bad breath
• Tooth discoloration

The My Kidz Dentist team recommends bi-annual teeth cleanings for pediatric patients with healthy teeth and gums.

Are there different types of cleanings?

There are two main types of cleanings that dentists offer to pediatric patients:

Dental prophylaxis (Prophy)

During a prophy, plaque, bacteria, debris, and tartar are gently removed from your child’s teeth. First, the My Kidz Dentist professional uses cleaning and scaling tools to rid your child’s teeth and gums of plaque and tartar. Next, attention is turned toward the small pockets underneath your child’s gum line, where bacteria tend to collect.

Your dental professional may also smooth your child’s tooth roots to eliminate bacteria if necessary. Finally, the teeth are cleaned and polished before the end of the visit. A prophy is a relatively quick cleaning that takes less than an hour. The My Kidz Dentist team advises bringing your child in for prophy cleanings at least twice a year.

Deep cleaning

If your child is showing signs of gum disease, the My Kidz Dentist team can prevent plaque and bacteria from spreading and causing further damage with a deep cleaning. During a deep teeth cleaning, your dentist focuses attention underneath the gums to remove a buildup of plaque and bacteria. Removing this harmful bacterium as early as possible stops the progression of periodontal disease and lowers the chances of tooth decay, tooth loss, gum disease, and more.

What can I do to keep my child’s teeth healthy?

In addition to consistent dental cleanings and exams, regular brushing and flossing are imperative in keeping your child’s teeth healthy, strong, and cavity-free. The My Kidz Dentist team recommends brushing twice a day for two minutes at a time and flossing for approximately three minutes a day. Your child’s smile also benefits from toothpaste containing fluoride, which prevents tooth decay and the breakdown of enamel.

If you are worried about your child’s oral health, it is best to avoid a diet high in sugary foods and beverages, though you can talk to a My Kidz Dentist about the best nutrition plan for your child’s smile.

Good oral health practices during childhood set your family up for a lifetime of healthy smiles. To learn more about routine teeth cleanings, call My Kidz Dentist or book an appointment online today.