Today’s message focuses on professional dental cleanings. You might wonder if your child needs a professional dental cleaning if you already practice dental hygiene daily at home.
The answer is that both processes are important because they work in tandem to maintain oral health.
Doctor Buchheit encourages patients to practice preventative dentistry by:
- Brushing
- Flossing
- Healthy diet
- Regular dental cleanings
- Regular checkups
Dental cleanings increase the effectiveness of daily oral care by removing the plaque and tartar that can accumulate regardless of daily brushing and flossing. In fact, when plaque hardens, it can only be taken off with special tools used by a hygienist.
A hygienist will first use a vibrating ultrasonic tool to dislodge the largest pieces of tartar. This process may tickle a bit. The hygienist will then use tools with finer attachments to get rid of the smaller pieces of calculus. When all plaque and tartar is gone, polishing is the final step in the cleaning process.
The goal is to make your tooth surfaces as smooth as possible, to prevent food particles from lodging in small spaces that are difficult to clean. If you are having an exam during the same visit, your technician may take dental X-rays. X-rays can reveal cavities while they are small and can be easily filled.
Let your hygienist know if your child’s teeth are sensitive so he/she can make the cleaning as comfortable as possible. After the cleaning, a fluoride treatment may be given to help strengthen teeth.
Before your hygienist leaves, you may want to ask if there are areas your child can improve. Your hygienist can tell you which tooth surfaces had the most build-up. If the back teeth are presenting a problem, you can meet with Dr. Buchheit about sealants.
If your son or daughter has braces, you may want more frequent dental cleanings because food can easily lodge between the wires.
Call Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS at 314-837-7744 to schedule a professional cleaning today!
Contact Koch Park Dental – Martin L. Buchheit, DDS:
314-837-7744
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
2149 Charbonier Rd
Florissant, Missouri
63033
