A professional cleaning—technically known as Dental Prophylaxis—is a vital part of your child’s routine visit. While brushing at home is essential, professional cleanings reach the areas that a toothbrush simply can’t.

Why Professional Cleaning is Necessary

Even with excellent home care, two main substances can build up on your child’s teeth:

• Plaque: A soft, sticky film formed from food, saliva, and bacteria. If left alone, plaque is the primary cause of tooth decay.

• Calculus (Tartar): When plaque isn’t removed, it mineralizes and hardens into calculus. This “stone” bond to the tooth surface requires professional dental instrumentation to safely remove.

What to Expect During the Process

Our goal is to make the cleaning process a positive, “tickly” experience for your child. The procedure involves:

1. Thorough Removal: We carefully remove plaque and calculus from all tooth surfaces and along the gum line.

2. Polishing: We use a special dental cup and a gritty toothpaste (available in kid-friendly flavors!) to polish the teeth.

3. Stain Removal: This polishing process smooths the enamel, making it harder for new bacteria to stick, while also removing surface stains for a brighter smile.

The Benefits of Prophylaxis

Regular cleanings do more than just brighten a smile. By smoothing the teeth and removing bacterial buildup, we help prevent gum disease and catch potential cavities in their earliest, most treatable stages. Each cleaning is also paired with Oral Hygiene Instruction, where we show your child the best ways to brush and floss at home.