How Often Does My Child Need a Teeth Cleaning?

When you consider the strange noises, uncomfortable prodding, and jaw discomfort, it is easy to understand why many people dread dental cleanings. However, for most people, including kids, dental cleaning is a painless and simple process.

Parents have a responsibility to help their children develop good oral health habits. This includes teaching your kids how to clean their teeth and how often they need to do so. As a parent, you probably understand the importance of getting your little one’s teeth cleaned by a professional. However, do you know how often your child needs professional dental cleaning?

Do Kids Require Professional Dental Cleanings?

When it comes to health care for your child, you need to include dental cleaning in your to-do list. Of course, good dental care habits at home are important. However, they are not enough to keep your child’s teeth and gums strong, healthy, and attractive. It is important to help your child get used to the habit of going to the dentist.

Once your child’s teeth start poking through, it is time to start considering taking them for a dental cleaning. Teeth and gums need proper cleaning to stay healthy. Even before your child’s teeth appear fully, you need to ensure that you are washing them with a soft cloth at bath time and after each meal.

Taking your little one for a professional dental cleaning will give you a chance to talk to your pediatric dentist about your child’s oral health. A dental hygienist or dentist will also identify any emerging dental issues that could develop into serious problems down the road.

What Does a Typical Dental Cleaning for Kids Involve?

A typical professional dental cleaning for a child usually takes less than an hour. However, the benefits can last for a lifetime. Before the dental hygienist or dentist cleans your child’s teeth, they will likely take X-rays. These X-rays will help them determine whether your little one has dental concerns requiring treatment.  

Your child’s dentist or dental hygienist will then scrape away plaque and other bacterial buildups that could cause cavities, gum disease, or infections. Your pediatric dentist will often give your child a fluoride treatment as well.

Dental Checkup

During your child’s dental cleaning, the dentist will also look for any signs of tooth decay or disease. Cavities may not become visible until they progress to a severe level. This is why dentists use special tools to probe children’s teeth for soft spots that indicate decay. Your pediatric dentist will also check your little one’s gums for any early signs of gum disease.

When to Start Taking Your Child for Dental Cleanings

You should take your child for their first dental appointment soon after the first tooth erupts. Teeth usually start to appear when kids are about six months old or so. The first few appointments will not involve much dental cleaning. However, the dentist will use them to check for signs of developing trouble.

Frequency of Dental Cleanings for Kids

According to the American Dental Association, children should get a dental cleaning every six months. This should start a few months after the first tooth emerges. If you are yet to take your little one for professional teeth cleaning, it is not too late. Just call your dentist and make an appointment.

For more on professional dental cleaning for kids, visit Fort Worth Children’s Dentistry at our office in Fort Worth, Texas. You can call 817-569-6633 today to schedule an appointment.