What are exams and cleanings?
Dental exams and cleanings are important for maintaining healthy teeth and promoting long-term oral health. We recommend that most children see us twice a year for a dental cleaning and exam.
Dental exams and cleanings are preventive dental services; we usually clean your child’s teeth and examine their mouth during the same visit. We suggest that children come for their first exam and cleaning when they get their first tooth or by their first birthday. During the exam portion of the appointment, we look at your child’s mouth for signs of gum disease, tooth decay, oral cancer, and other dental problems. If we notice that your child has a lot of plaque in a specific area, we’ll go over proper brushing and flossing techniques to help them learn how to better care for their teeth.
What can you expect from exams and cleanings?
We use dental tools to remove plaque and decay from your child’s teeth that can lead to cavities or other oral health issues. Our exams and cleanings begin with a quick inspection to identify any areas of concern or spots that will need extra attention, like inflamed gums or dark spots on your child’s teeth that indicate they may have a cavity.
We’ll periodically take x-rays to monitor the development of your child’s teeth and soft tissues and look for issues only visible on an x-ray. To remove plaque and tartar from your child’s teeth and gum line, we use a tool called a scaler. We’ll then use an electric polishing toothbrush and gritty toothpaste to polish your child’s teeth. The cleaning also includes a professional flossing session to clean around the gum line. Some children receive fluoride treatment to help prevent cavities and strengthen their teeth.
What are the benefits?
Exams and cleanings have multiple benefits for your child:
Improves and maintains their oral health
Regular exams and cleanings are important for maximizing your child’s oral health. Daily brushing and flossing won’t remove all the plaque from their teeth; this plaque leads to tooth decay and gum disease.
Detects dental issues in their early stages
Periodic examinations help us detect dental illnesses and conditions while they’re still minor issues. It’s easier, cheaper, and more efficient for us to treat dental problems as early as possible.
Offers guidance about issues that impact your child’s oral health
Exams and cleanings are an excellent opportunity to ask questions about habits and behaviors that affect your child’s oral health. Perhaps you’re wondering if their thumb-sucking is impacting their teeth or want to know if your child’s teeth are developing properly. We’ll help you understand what’s normal for your child’s development and provide guidance to help you encourage healthy behaviors.
Exams and Cleanings, Queens & Brooklyn, New York
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An easy, simple way to maintain healthy teeth and promote long-term oral health.
