Preventative Dental Cleanings and Fluoride Treatments

What happens during a dental cleaning?

We recommend routine dental visits every 6 months and should begin as soon as your child’s first teeth come in. A dental cleaning, also called prophylaxis cleaning, is a terrific preventive measure that can keep oral issues and disease at bay.

During a typical visit, Dr. Krepkh or a dental hygienist, will do the following:

1. Begin by carefully examining your child’s entire mouth with a small mirror to check the condition of his or her teeth, gums, palate, and oral tissues and look for any possible issues, such as plaque or cavities
2. Use a special tool, called a scaler, to remove plaque and tartar from the surfaces of the teeth and from the areas near the gum line
3. Use a motorized toothbrush and some gritty toothpaste to remove any remaining plaque or tartar and clean and polish the teeth – kind of like a high-powered washing
4. Floss the teeth carefully, after which your child will be asked to swish his or her mouth with water to rinse away the paste
5. Sometimes the doctor may recommend we take x-rays to double check that everything is OK with your child’s mouth
6. Apply a fluoride treatment to protect his or her teeth
7. Review with your child how to brush and floss his or her teeth correctly and show parents how to help their children, not just with the brushing, but also follow healthy oral hygiene habits and eat foods that are less likely to cause dental decay.

Routine cleanings at Kids Dentistry Center in Brooklyn and healthy oral habits at home will go a long way towards ensuring your child has a beautiful and healthy smile for a lifetime.

Flouride Treatment

To keep your child’s tooth enamel strong and healthy, the appointment ends with a fluoride treatment. Fluoride strengthens the molecular bonds within the enamel, helping to ward off dental decay. For infants and younger children, Dr. Krepkh paints on fruit flavored fluoride varnish. For older children, the doctor will use a fluoride gel that comes in many flavors.

Is Flouride Varnish Safe?

Fluoride varnish is safe and used by dentists and doctors all over the world to help prevent tooth decay in children. Only a small amount is used, and hardly any fluoride is swallowed. It is quickly applied and hardens. Then it is brushed off after 4 to 12 hours.

Your child can eat and drink right after the fluoride varnish is applied. But only give your child soft foods and cold or warm (not hot) foods or liquids. Do not brush or floss teeth for at least 4 to 6 hours.