Can Pediatric Dental Cleanings Prevent Cavities in Children?

Despite the fact that baby teeth will fall out, it is still extremely important to do everything possible to prevent cavities in children. By keeping your child's baby teeth healthy, you can help set them up for better dental and oral health in the future. There's no question that one of the most beneficial things you can do to prevent cavities in children is to keep up with regular teeth cleanings at the dentist. Still, professional dental cleanings alone won't prohibit cavity prevention. Instead, parents and caregivers should ensure children are practicing proper at-home dental and oral hygiene between cleanings.

At Apple Tree Pediatric Dentistry in Lawrenceville, GA, pediatric dentist Dr. Jeni Kong and our caring team are here to help you and your children understand best practices for children's dental care to help prevent cavities and other potential problems. Here, you'll find more information about the importance of dental cleanings for kids' cavity prevention.

How do I keep my kids from getting cavities?

There are no single things you can do to prevent cavities, but a combination of professional pediatric dental care, at-home dental and oral hygiene, and healthy lifestyle choices overall can greatly reduce the risk of your child developing a cavity. Some of the most important tips to help prevent cavities in kids include:

• Helping your child brush twice daily
• Helping your child floss appropriately
• Modeling proper dental and oral hygiene habits
• Limiting candy, sweets, and sugary drinks in your child's diet
• Keeping a regular pediatric dental office visit schedule
• Having your child's teeth professionally cleaned twice per year or as recommended

How do dental cleanings prevent cavities in kids?

During a kids teeth cleaning, one of our skilled dental hygienists will carefully remove plaque and tartar, polish teeth, and apply a specialized fluoride treatment if needed. Because plaque and tartar buildup are largely responsible for the development of cavities, having this debris thoroughly removed during a professional dental cleaning can greatly diminish the risk of developing a cavity.

Additionally, our hygienists will floss between the teeth, which is a common area for the development of cavities. Dr. Jeni will also examine your child's teeth and mouth overall and may recommend additional treatments, which can further protect the teeth from cavity development.

How are cavities treated in kids?

Even with proper hygiene and regular visits to the dentist, it may still be possible to develop a cavity — though it is less likely. Should Dr. Jeni detect a cavity during your child's dental exam, she will recommend the most appropriate treatment course based on the nature, severity, location, and other characteristics of the cavity.

If a filling is necessary, our team will discuss the available options for pediatric dental anesthesia and other tactics to ensure your child is as comfortable as possible during their procedure while also offering risk mitigation recommendations to help protect your child from future cavities and keep their dental and oral health intact over the long term.

Give your child a healthy smile for a lifetime with pediatric dentistry in Lawrenceville, GA

Getting started on your child's dental routine early is key for ensuring long-term dental health and avoiding problems like cavities, tooth decay, and others. Take the first step toward setting your kids up for success by calling our Lawrenceville, GA pediatric dentist office — Apple Tree Pediatric Dentistry — to schedule your child’s dental exam and cleaning with Dr. Jeni Kong today.