How Often Should My Child Get Their Teeth Cleaned?

As a parent, you have a responsibility to help your child develop habits that promote a healthy body. This includes teaching them good oral healthcare habits, such as brushing their teeth twice a day, flossing every day, eating a balanced diet, and visiting the dentist for teeth cleanings and checkups. So how often does your child need to visit the dentist? And why do they need their teeth professionally cleaned? In this blog post, we’ll answer these questions and more!

How Often Should My Child Get Their Teeth Cleaned?

Let’s begin with how often you should bring your child to our office for a teeth cleaning. Just as with adults, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends getting a teeth cleaning and checkup every six months. Kids should start going to the dentist soon after their first tooth erupts or around their first birthday, whichever happens first.

Why Do Kids Need Their Teeth Professionally Cleaned?

At-home oral hygiene, in conjunction with regular dental visits, will keep your child’s teeth and gums healthy and strong. No matter how consistent you or your child are at brushing and flossing, a routine professional cleaning is necessary for optimal dental health. Every six months, we deliver a deep clean and check for any problem areas. Our special tools scrape away built-up plaque and tartar. Certain areas are particularly difficult to fully clean at home, such as between the teeth and under the gumline, so we often spend more time in these nooks and crannies.

What Else Happens During a Teeth Cleaning?

Though you may think you’ll always know if your child has gum disease or a cavity, many oral health issues are difficult to identify without the proper technology and training. During your child’s appointment, our expert team will check for signs of dental disease and decay and recommend any necessary treatment. We’ll also evaluate if your child’s teeth are developing correctly and whether they would benefit from early orthodontic intervention. We can also apply a fluoride treatment, answer any dental-related questions you or your child have, demonstrate correct brushing and flossing technique, or suggest tooth-friendly foods.

Are There Other Benefits to Routine Teeth Cleanings for Kids?

Regular teeth cleanings in childhood help kids become comfortable with dental visits early on, which means they are less likely to experience dental anxiety or fear in adolescence and adulthood. By exposing your child to the dentist office regularly, they’ll build up confidence and comfort levels so it won’t be an intimidating experience.

More Questions? We Have Answers!

At our child-oriented dental office in Kerrville, we strive to make your kid’s dental visit fun so they’ll look forward to their next one. If you have any questions about our dental services, or if you’re ready to schedule your child’s teeth cleaning, contact our Tots to Teens Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics team today. We also have offices in Lytle, Laredo, and San Antonio.