Do you need to schedule your child’s next dental visit? Our team at Children’s Dental Specialties can help. We offer dental cleanings for children during routine dental visits in our office. Professional dental cleanings in our Worcester, MA, office, can help give your child a lifetime of healthy smiles. Routine cleanings can prevent problems like dental decay and gum disease.
As with adults, we recommend that children see a dentist often for regular care twice a year for a dental cleaning. Professional teeth cleanings are one of the pediatric dentistry services we provide to the public.
Why Should You Bring Your Child to the Dentist?
Routine treatments like dental exams and cleanings are essential for patients of all ages. However, your child’s early oral development comes at a key time when the jaw, teeth, and palate develop. At regular exams, we track how your child’s mouth develops and look for bite problems, infections, and other dental problems.
Cleanings are a preventive treatment for our patients. Pediatric cleanings remove plaque, a sticky bacterial film, and tartar, a hardened calculus. Removing leftover food and bacteria from the teeth and gums reduces the risk of gum and tooth infections. Only a hygienist can remove plaque, which is difficult for patients to remove at home.
Tooth cavities are one of the most common dental problems among children. A sugary diet and poor oral hygiene can contribute to cavities or holes and pits in the teeth. In the worst cases, we must remove
For this reason, we encourage you to teach your child how to brush and floss and get tips from our dentist and hygienists.
Poor oral health habits early in life can mean more problems later in life. Visiting the dentist twice a year and encouraging healthy habits at home can help maintain your child’s dental health. We provide gentle, compassionate dental care for younger patients so they can feel comfortable.
Routine Pediatric Dental Cleanings in Worcester, MA
Our office wants your child’s dental visits to be as comfortable as possible. We welcome children to bring objects that make them more relaxed during their appointments. For example, blankets, toys, and even earphones with music can help distract children from the cleaning. We also welcome parents to accompany their children to the dental cleaning and examination.
During the comprehensive exam and cleaning, our hygienists will gently explain, in simple terms, how they will clean your child’s teeth. Our hygienists will also ask your child about their hobbies and interests, ensuring they feel relaxed.
During a dental cleaning, one of our dental hygienists will scale the teeth, removing bacterial buildup from the teeth and gums.
Then, our hygienists will brush, rinse, and polish the teeth. One of many children’s favorite parts of the process is choosing the toothpaste flavor.
After the cleaning, we can provide a fluoride varnish and recommend topical fluoride to mineralize teeth and strengthen the outer tooth enamel. Fluoride helps prevent cavities in children. We ask that your child refrain from eating or drinking 30 minutes after treatment to help the fluoride penetrate the tooth enamel.
When your child’s molars grow, we will recommend sealants. Sealants are protective coatings that cover the grooves on the top of the molars. Like fluoride, sealants prevent tooth infections.
Dental Cleanings FAQs
Learn more about pediatric dental cleanings in our Worcester, MA, dental office with answers to these common questions:
Is a child’s teeth cleaning the same as an adult cleaning?
A child’s dental cleaning is the same as an adult’s teeth cleaning. During a dental cleaning, a hygienist uses special dental instruments to remove plaque and calculus above and below the gum line.
Then, the hygienist will polish the teeth and examine the smile. Our office will also give parents and children oral hygiene instructions after cleaning. We want to ensure you and your child thoroughly and properly clean your smiles.
When should my child receive a dental cleaning?
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), children should come in for their first check-up after their first tooth erupts or by their first birthday. At this first visit, we will gently check for decay and the proper alignment of their teeth.
The first pediatric teeth cleaning will occur within the first couple of years of your child’s life. We will let you know the best timeline for your child’s needs. This timeline will depend on when your child’s first teeth grow.
How can I prepare my child for a dental cleaning?
The three most essential things you can do to prepare your child for a teeth cleaning appointment are:
- Practice regular home care
- See a pediatric dentist early
- Get your child excited to see the dentist
With regular home care, your child knows that teeth are essential. Brushing and flossing at home can get your child used to an adult evaluating their teeth so it won’t feel as awkward when they first see the dentist. Additionally, seeing a pediatric dentist in Worcester as early as possible will help your child get used to and be comfortable with seeing their dentist.
Finally, talk about going to the dentist as something fun (remember, we have cool toys to play with and prizes to give away after appointments!) instead of something to dread. Your child is more likely to be excited about their visit if you’re enthusiastic.
When you talk to your child about the dentist, avoid words like “shot” or “drill”. These words can make your child feel anxious. You can also read books about your child’s oral health or visits the dentist. Educating your child about the dentist can answer any questions about regular visits. Knowing what will happen at regular dental visits can ease some of your child’s anxiety.
Call Our Dental Office Today
Do you need to schedule your child’s next dental cleaning? Contact our office. You can schedule a dental appointment online or call Children’s Dental Specialties at (508) 625-5534.
Please let us know if you have any questions about dental cleanings in our Worcester, MA, office. We’re here to help.