Make dental cleanings in Rancho Cucamonga, CA part of your child’s healthy smile strategy
Repeated actions become habits, and the right habits become the foundation for a life well lived. As a parent, you work hard to instill positive habits in your child. The team at Sweet Tooth Children’s Dentistry in Rancho Cucamonga, CA is eager to partner with you, with regular dental cleanings and guidance on home hygiene, to help your child enjoy a lifetime of good oral health.
Why is toddler teeth cleaning important?
Like an adult, a child’s mouth hosts many types of oral bacteria. Some form a sticky film of plaque that traps food particles. Bacteria feed on sugars and starches, producing acids that eat holes in tooth enamel.
Keeping the mouth clean becomes even more important once a child starts eating solid foods. We recommend daily brushing to reduce bacterial populations on teeth, gentle gum cleaning, and flossing once there are teeth that touch each other.
Even with consistent home care, plaque can get trapped between teeth and hide at the gumline. Without effective dental plaque removal, plaque on toddler teeth hardens into tartar, which can trigger gum disease. During professional dental cleanings, tartar can be detected a removed so that it doesn’t damage the gums or underlying bone.
Regular professional cleanings:
- Are essential for removing plaque from toddlers’ teeth
- Get rid of tartar
- Give your child fresher breath and a brighter smile
- Detect what you can improve on with your home hygiene routine
- Give the dentist a chance to monitor oral development, and watch for early signs of dental problems
- Help your child develop lifelong appreciation for the value of dental care
What to expect with dental cleanings in Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Ideally, a child’s first visit is scheduled when the first tooth comes in or by the first birthday. This is an upbeat, relaxed opportunity to introduce the little one to the dental environment. We suggest a morning appointment, so your child is well rested. To the age of three, exams can be conducted “lap to lap,” with you holding the child. We recommend that you choose to place a topical fluoride varnish on the teeth for cavity protection.
Once your child is old enough to sit in the dental chair by themselves, the registered dental assistant uses special instruments and a light touch to remove plaque and stains from visible surfaces and between teeth. Teeth are then polished. If any tartar is present, it will be removed by the dentist. Usually after cleanings for kids, a topical fluoride varnish is placed on the teeth to strengthen the enamel.
If you live in the Rancho Cucamonga, Montclair, Fontana, or Ontario area, please do not hesitate to call Sweet Tooth Children’s Dentistry at (909) 989-7222 – even if your older child has never been to the dentist. We have great success getting oral health back on track; then helping established patients stay cavity-free.