Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings for Kids– Newark, CA
Protect Your Child’s Growing Smile for a Lifetime
Even if your child has an excellent at-home oral hygiene routine, it can still be difficult to clean every surface of their teeth without help. This can lead to painful and costly problems like tooth decay and gum disease, which although they often start out small and unnoticeable, can eventually get worse if not diagnosed and treated promptly. That’s why the American Dental Association recommends your child visit the dentist in Newark for their dental checkup and teeth cleaning twice a year or every six months.
Why Choose Newpark Mall Family Dental Group for Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings?
- Dental Insurance Welcome
- Sedation Dentistry Options Available
- Caring & Compassionate Pediatric Dentists
Why Are Regular Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings Important?
It can be tempting to skip your child’s regular dental checkups and teeth cleanings, especially if their mouth looks and feels fine, but doing so can cost a lot more in the long run. Teeth cleanings are your child’s opportunity to remove plaque that could eventually cause a cavity, or a cavity could be detected and treated before it requires a crown or pulp treatment.
Although most dental insurance plans cover two checkups and cleanings each year, dental fillings and other restorative procedures typically result in out-of-pocket costs.
Routine visits also prevent dental emergencies. By diagnosing small problems now, they won’t get a chance to get worse if left untreated.
While we understand that schedules get busy, taking the time out for two quick dental visits each year could save you and your child even more time by avoiding the need for invasive and time-consuming procedures later.
Poor oral health is also linked to several overall health issues like heart disease and diabetes, meaning that creating solid oral health habits in childhood could lower your child’s risk of these illnesses later in life.
What to Expect During a Dental Checkup
At your child’s dental checkup, their dentist and team will:
- Visually examine their teeth, gums, existing dental work, and overall bite.
- Screen the soft tissues in their mouth for oral cancer.
- Take dental X-rays to detect problems that may be hiding underneath the surface.
- Create a treatment plan if any issues are detected.
- Answer any questions you or your child may have about their treatment or at-home oral care.
- Update and review your child’s medical history and any medications they may be taking that could impact their oral health.
What to Expect During a Teeth Cleaning
Even with the most diligent daily brushing and flossing routine, there are still parts of your child’s mouth that are impossible to clean without help. That’s where routine professional teeth cleanings come in. During this portion of their appointment, a dental hygienist will use special instruments to remove plaque and tartar that have accumulated between your child’s teeth and along their gumline. This reduces their risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and chronic bad breath.
Next, their teeth will be polished, clearing away minor surface stains, and then flossed so they look and feel their best. If they need a fluoride treatment or dental sealants, these can also be applied once their teeth are completely clean.