Why Pediatric Teeth Cleanings Are Important

While baby teeth eventually fall out, it’s still important that you help your child build healthy habits for oral hygiene that will last a lifetime. For this reason, we recommend that your child receive pediatric teeth cleanings at least every six months. However, our pediatric dentist in Grand Rapids, MI, may recommend more frequent cleanings if he needs to closely monitor your child’s oral development.

In the meantime, here’s what you need to know about pediatric teeth cleanings. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office.

Remove Plaque and Tartar

You can remove plaque at home by brushing your child’s teeth twice a day for two minutes at a time. Flossing also helps to remove plaque and food particles caught between teeth. However, only a skilled dental professional will be able to remove tartar.

During your child’s pediatric dental cleaning, we’ll use special tools to gently scrape away plaque and tartar. This helps to reduce your child’s risk of cavities and other oral health problems.

Catch Oral Health Issues Early

Our pediatric dentist and his team will closely examine your child’s teeth and gums. We may also take X-rays depending on how long it’s been since your child’s last ones. X-rays offer a lot of information because they show us what’s not visible to the naked eye. For example, an X-ray may reveal that your child has a cavity between two teeth or crooked wisdom teeth emerging in the jawbone.

If Dr. Kim detects any issues with your child’s oral health, he’ll develop a custom treatment plan that’s tailored to their unique needs. By catching oral health issues early, we’re able to reduce your child’s risk of a pediatric dental emergency.

Teach Your Child Good Dental Habits

Our Grand Rapids pediatric dentist and his team would be more than happy to show your child the proper way to brush and floss so they can maintain a healthy smile for life. Scheduling routine teeth cleanings for your child is also a great way of teaching them how to practice good self-care.

Once your child becomes an adult, they’ll become responsible for scheduling their own health checkups. By making sure they see the dentist on a regular basis, you’ll be building a strong foundation for good oral health.

Related: How to Make Teeth Brushing Fun For Your Child →

Reduce Your Child’s Risk of Dental Anxiety

Children are more likely to experience dental anxiety if they’ve had a bad experience or they don’t know what to expect during their appointment. That’s why we recommend introducing your child to the dentist at a young age. The American Dental Association says that your child should see a dentist after they get their first baby tooth and before their first birthday.

Schedule an Appointment with Us

Our pediatric dentist in Grand Rapids, MI, would be more than happy to help your child maintain a healthy smile. To schedule a teeth cleaning for your child, please call the Pediatric Dentistry of Michigan at (616) 447-7900. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon.