Achieving healthy smiles for life begins with regular dental cleanings with Coulter & Casper. At each appointment, the Coulter & Casper team demonstrates how to brush, floss, and build a great dental health routine that will provide lifelong benefits. Routine dental cleanings are essential for preventive care. Regular cleanings are an opportunity for learning and discovery. We recommend cleanings twice a year for all pediatric patients in our care to ensure optimal oral health and happy smiles year-round.
At Your Cleaning Appointment
Our routine cleanings are performed by our passionate and kid-friendly dental hygienists. Our hygienists are specialists when it comes to helping your children feel at ease while keeping their smiles healthy. Throughout the cleaning, our team will use various dental instruments to clean your child’s teeth. These instruments are used to remove stains, tartar and plaque from your child’s teeth. While using them, the hygienist will show your child what they are doing and tell he or she about each instrument – all in an effort to help your child understand the process.
These routine cleanings allow our dentists and dental hygienists to identify or locate any potential problem areas that may need extra attention. Your child’s dentist will also recommend any special treatments they see necessary, such as fluoride and sealants. They also give our dental team the opportunity to discuss healthy habits, like proper brushing and flossing techniques and smart snacking.
Why Regular Dental Cleanings are Important for Kids
A lifetime of healthy smiles starts early, and regular dental cleanings can set your child up with great oral health habits he or she can carry into adulthood. Catching potential problems early on is key for optimal dental health. Your child’s baby teeth are essential when it comes to your child’s health, including their speech and ability to chew properly. Our dentists recommend a child having their first visit to the dentist by age 1 or when their first tooth erupts. While building an oral hygiene routine at home is important, keeping up with routine cleanings provides a deeper look into your child’s dental health – and their overall health, too.
Schedule a Dental Cleaning Appointment for Your Child Today!
A visit to our office isn’t just a routine cleaning – it’s a time for fun and healthy smiles! Schedule an appointment with D.C.’s premier pediatric dentistry today!
Kids Dental Cleanings FAQs
How Early Can Toothpaste be Used to Clean a Child’s Teeth?
Toothpaste can be used as early as infancy by using a soft, infant toothbrush or a damp, warm cloth. For children younger than 3, use no more than a smear of toothpaste, or a “rice-sized” amount. For children 3 or older, use a “pea-sized” amount of toothpaste.
What is Fluoride Treatment?
Fluoride treatment is used to strengthen the enamel of your child’s teeth. The treatment is typically a gel or a varnish and is painted on by your child’s dentist at the end of their routine appointment. The treatment takes approximately a few minutes to apply and is more concentrated than over-the-counter fluoride products.
Following a fluoride varnish treatment, your child should refrain from eating or drinking for approximately 4 to 6 hours and eat a soft diet following the application. After a fluoride gel application, your child should avoid eating or drinking for approximately 30 minutes.
Talk to Dr. Charlie or Dr. Jerry about which fluoride treatment is best for your child!
Can Cavities be Avoided?
There are things that you can do to help your child decrease the risk of cavities. Here are a few things to remember:
- Avoid sugary foods
- Be sure to have your children brush their teeth twice a day
- Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride
- Floss every day
- Talk to your dentist about fluoride treatment
- Limit snacking – A healthy diet is key!
How Often Should We Change our Toothbrush?
Our dentists recommend changing your child’s toothbrush every 3 months. Toothbrushes become worn out and won’t clean as effectively. If gum disease is present, dentists recommend changing the toothbrush every 4 to 6 weeks to ensure the toothbrush remains clean and effective.
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