Over time, plaque and tartar buildup can form on little smiles and increase the risk of tooth decay and gingivitis, as well as bad breath and teeth stains. To fight this buildup and safeguard little smiles, we offer a routine dental cleaning. At your Frisco, TX, children’s dental practice, we can protect your child’s smile with a gentle and thorough dental cleaning.
The Causes of Plaque and Tartar
Over time, harmful oral bacteria will consume the particles left behind by the foods and drinks we consume, particularly the particles of sugar and starch. This process creates a bacterial byproduct known as plaque, which coats the teeth and over time, hardens into tartar. Brushing and flossing alone cannot remove the buildup, and the layers will grow in severity with time. Along with bad breath and teeth stains, the layers are linked to higher risk of tooth decay, infection, gingivitis, and even gum disease. To remove these layers, we recommend a cleaning visit as part of your child’s regular six-month checkup visit.
Dental Cleanings
The dental cleaning process involves our team gently and thoroughly removing all plaque and tartar buildup from the teeth and along the gum line, which is done with an ultrasonic scaling device, employing gentle vibrations to break up and remove the buildup. We also use a manual pick as part of the process. The procedure only takes a short amount of time, and we take steps to ensure your child feels comfortable and relaxed. Afterward, we will polish the teeth to make them brighter and limit how much plaque and tartar can adhere to them in between your regular six-month visits.
Proper Brushing and Flossing
Taking care of your child’s smile from home also limits the severity of plaque buildup and helps protect little smiles from tooth decay and gingivitis. You should make sure your child is brushing twice a day for two minutes, using an age-appropriate toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste. Kids three and younger need a rice-sized amount of toothpaste, while kids over the age of three can use a pea-sized blot. Once there are teeth sitting side-by-side, be sure they are flossing too, as this removes what is beyond the reach of a toothbrush. If you have any questions about how to protect children from harmful layers of plaque and tartar, or if you want to schedule a visit for your little one, then contact our team today to learn more.
TALK TO YOUR FRISCO, TX, DENTIST ABOUT DENTAL CLEANINGS
We want to help kids enjoy good oral health and avoid issues like tooth decay with regular preventive checkup and cleaning visits. To learn more about our preventive approach to children’s dentistry, then call Healthy Smiles Children’s Dentistry at (214) 436-4774.
