Preventative Dentistry in San Tan Valley, AZ

We recommend routine dental cleanings for several reasons. When we perform a professional cleaning, we remove the buildup of plaque and tartar. We also clean the parts of your child's teeth that are hard to reach, such as underneath the gums. After a cleaning, we will polish your child's teeth so that they shine! We can also apply a fluoride treatment, if necessary, to help prevent tooth decay.

• Removes plaque and tartar buildup
• Cleans the hard-to-reach areas under the gums
• Polishing leaves teeth smooth and shiny
• Fluoride treatment where it is helpful
• Habit-building for good care at home

Preventing decay in a child's tooth is significantly easier than treating it. Treatment means a filling, which for a nervous child is a much bigger event than a cleaning — so prevention protects their confidence as much as their teeth. Fluoride strengthens developing enamel and helps it resist the acid that bacteria produce, which is why it is particularly useful during the years when new adult teeth are coming through and are at their most vulnerable. The habit-forming aspect matters too. Children who come regularly learn what good oral health feels like and are far more likely to keep those habits as teenagers, which is exactly when supervision drops off and decay risk climbs.

The hygienist removes plaque and hardened tartar from each tooth, including the areas below the gumline and between teeth that are difficult to reach with a brush at home. The teeth are then polished, which removes surface stain and leaves them smooth — smooth surfaces collect plaque more slowly. Children usually enjoy this part, and there is often a choice of flavour. If fluoride is appropriate, it is applied afterward as a varnish or gel and takes only a moment. We will also talk with you and your child about brushing and flossing at home, and we would rather show a child the technique on their own teeth than send them away with instructions.