Children’s Check-ups & Cleanings

Keep your child’s smile beautiful.

Preventing dental decay begins when your child’s very first tooth erupts, and it is important to familiarize yourself with the procedures available. While all children can benefit from dental exams, teeth cleaning and fluoride treatments, children that have permanent molars can further benefit from a preventive procedure known as dental sealants. Sealants are one of the most effective procedures available for preventing tooth decay in the biting surfaces of permanent teeth. Sealants are recommended for permanent molars, and the application is simple and painless. Schedule an appointment at Grossi Dental for your child today to set them up for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

During your child’s dental cleaning, we will gently remove any buildup of plaque or tartar. When kids are in the chair, we pay special attention to existing hygiene habits and encourage improvement when needed. Grossi Dental can help clean surfaces of your child’s teeth that may have missed during brushing and flossing. Perfecting dental hygiene isn’t something that happens overnight, and it can be tough for kids to keep their oral health in tip top shape without assistance.

During a pediatric dental cleaning your dentist will:

• Remove tartar build-up on teeth
• Remove plaque
• Perform teeth polishing to help remove light surface stains and prevent plaque from easily reattaching to the teeth
• Evaluate your child’s overall health and oral hygiene
• Check your child’s bite and jaw for any problems
• Evaluate your child’s risk of tooth decay and gum or bone disease
• Evaluate prior dental work
• Screen for oral cancer and overall oral health
• Take dental x-rays if necessary

Toothbrushing and Dental Health Care for Ages 0-6

Infants

• For babies whose teeth have not emerged yet, use a clean, damp pad or washcloth to wipe your child’s gums after each feeding.
• Only place formula, milk, or breast milk in bottles. Do not fill them with juice, sugar water, or soft drinks.
• Do not put an infant to sleep with a bottle. Bottles should be finished before nap time and bedtime.
• If an infant uses a pacifier, only give them a clean one. Do not dip it in honey or other sugar-containing liquids.

1-3 years old

• When your child’s teeth come in, use a child-size toothbrush and no more than a pinch (about the size of a grain of rice) of children’s toothpaste to brush their teeth until three years of age.
• Encourage drinking from a cup.
• Encourage healthy eating habits.

3-7 years old

• Brush your child’s teeth with a child’s toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of children’s toothpaste.
• If your child wishes to brush his or her own teeth, make sure to supervise the process to ensure that all of the teeth are brushed and all of the toothpaste is spit out instead of swallowed. Supervision should occur until the child is between the ages of six and seven.*

*”Baby Bottle Tooth Decay,” Mouth Healthy, American Dental Association, http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/b/baby-bottle-tooth-decay