Dental Exams and Teeth Cleaning
Dental exams and teeth cleanings are the foundation of good oral health for every age. At Kid Grins in Edina, MN, Dr. Mitchell Loeb and his dental team deliver the basics of pediatric dental care to children to help them establish and maintain strong, healthy teeth and gums.
What Happens at Pediatric Dental Exams
Every six-month check-up at the pediatric dentist involves a dental exam. Before or after a child’s teeth cleaning, there will be a thorough review of teeth, gums, and dental development. The goal is to identify complications early so they can be addressed by your dentist or an orthodontist before they cause discomfort, infection, or other problems.
The pediatric dental exam is simple, non-invasive, and efficient and provides a great deal of information for your child’s dentist. There are some patterns that can be expected of teeth and gums based on gender, age, and sibling oral health but everyone is different. Overall, the dentist is on the lookout for:
- Tooth decay
- Damaged teeth
- Loose teeth
- Misalignment
- Irritated gum tissue
- Eruption issues
- Effects of bad oral habits (like prolonged thumb sucking)
What to Expect at a Pediatric Teeth Cleaning
A pediatric teeth cleaning is straightforward and very much like teeth cleanings for adults. They should occur every six months so your dentist or hygienist can get to all the hard-to-reach places and give kids a thorough cleansing that they can’t get to themselves. Kids, after all, are not known for excellent teeth-brushing skills or habits – professional help is a must.
- Plaque and tartar are removed.
- Teeth are flossed.
- Teeth are polished (with tasty toothpaste).
- Fluoride treatment is administered.
- X-rays are taken (as needed).
During the cleaning, a steady supply of oral health education for kids and parents is delivered through demonstrations of brushing and flossing techniques, explanations for how to take care of and remove wiggly teeth, and recommendations for the best toothbrushes and toothpaste.
Talking about Teeth with Kids
Every visit to the pediatric dentist is an opportunity to talk to kids about how important it is to take good care of their teeth and gums. Kids learn by example and through repetition. Our team gently delivers the information that children and parents need to know about taking care of their teeth and offers demonstrations about the best techniques.
Kids’ oral health needs change from age to age and their care will too. Your pediatric dentist takes the job of ongoing dental education seriously. Here is a general idea of what your pediatric dentist expects to see:
- Infancy to about age 7: Baby teeth erupt and eventually begin to loosen.
- Around age 8 to 10: More baby teeth are lost. Evaluation is done for phase one early orthodontic treatment like expanders or spacers.
- Tween to teen years: All baby teeth have fallen out and all adult teeth have erupted. Braces or Invisalign are considered for teeth alignment.
- Late teens to early 20s: Young adults are monitored for wisdom teeth which are extracted if necessary.
Schedule our Child’s Dental Exam and Teeth Cleaning in Edina
Dental exams and teeth cleanings are simple and straightforward but, as with any dental visit, some kids become anxious about their time in the dentist’s chair. The team at Kid Grins is dedicated to making every visit as comfortable and fun as possible. We understand that the work we do takes some getting used to for certain kids. We are patient and always prioritize the goal of introducing every child to the importance and fun of taking care of their teeth. Contact us to schedule a dental exam and teeth cleaning in Edina, MN.
