Location Address: 7915 US HWY 301 STE 102, Ellenton, FL 34222

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Teeth Cleanings Specialist

Parrish Children's Dentistry

Dentistry & Children's Dentist located in Ellenton, FL

Regular teeth cleanings are one of the easiest and most effective ways to lower your child’s risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. At Parrish Children’s Dentistry in Parrish, Florida, Patricia Schnur, DMD, regularly provides teeth cleanings to children and teenagers, ensuring they have healthy, happy smiles. To schedule an appointment for your child, call the office and speak with a friendly staff member, or book a consultation online today.

Teeth Cleanings Q & A

What are teeth cleanings?

Teeth cleanings are a routine dental procedure used to eradicate plaque, tartar, and harmful bacteria from the surface of your child’s teeth and beneath the gum line.

Brushing and flossing regularly can significantly lower your child’s risk of tooth decay or gum disease, but bi-annual teeth cleanings are also important. A toothbrush and floss are no substitute for a dental scaler and Dr. Schnur’s training and expertise.

What happens during teeth cleanings?

Dr. Schnur tailors your child’s teeth cleaning to their unique health history and needs. However, all teeth cleanings follow the same basic structure, including:

Oral exam

A teeth cleaning begins with a thorough oral exam conducted by a dental hygienist. During this portion of the teeth cleaning, your child’s provider uses a small handheld mirror to look around for signs of gingivitis or decay. If your child’s hygienist notices any areas of concern, they may call in Dr. Schnur to make sure it’s okay to proceed.

Removing plaque and tartar

Next, your child’s hygienist uses a tool called a scaler to remove plaque and tartar from the surfaces of their teeth and beneath the gum line. Your child may hear a scraping noise, but this is perfectly normal.

If your child dislikes this part of a teeth cleaning, encourage them to brush and floss more regularly. The less tartar present, the quicker this portion of the cleaning.

Gritty toothpaste polishing

After removing all of the plaque and tartar, your child’s hygienist polishes their teeth with a gritty toothpaste. The gritty consistency of the toothpaste removes any remaining plaque or tartar and makes your child’s tooth enamel appear brighter and whiter.

Expert flossing

Next, your child’s hygienist flosses their teeth. Flossing removes any food or debris between your child’s teeth. It also massages their gums, which helps to fend off gingivitis and other types of gum disease.

Rinse

Lastly, your child’s hygienist rinses their mouth. This removes any additional debris before Dr. Schnur conducts a final oral exam. If your child has cavities or is at risk of developing cavities, Dr. Schnur might also recommend a fluoride treatment.

How often does my child need teeth cleanings?

If you want to preserve your child’s oral health for years to come, Dr. Schnur recommends scheduling teeth cleanings once every six months. If your child has a history of cavities or gum disease, more frequent cleanings may be necessary.

To maintain the results of cleaning, encourage your child to brush their teeth twice each day and floss at least once. They should also avoid sugary foods and beverages like candies and soda as much as possible.

If your child needs a teeth cleaning, schedule an appointment at Parrish Children’s Dentistry. Call the office and speak with a friendly staff member, or book a consultation online today.