Dental Cleanings | Dental Hygiene Service

Every child should clean their teeth at home by regularly brushing and flossing. Using a remineralizing toothpaste with fluoride has demonstrated significant benefits in lowering the risk for cavities, and should be used in appropriate amounts. As trusted pediatric dentists in Alaska, we serve the valley by providing professional oral health services to infants, children, and teens, including those with special health care needs. Dental cleanings are an important part of this process and should be performed at least every six months. Dental cleanings involve more than just simply cleaning the teeth. They are indicated to:

• Instruct the caregiver and child or adolescent in proper oral hygiene techniques.
• Remove dental plaque, extrinsic stain, and calculus deposits from the teeth.
• Facilitate the examination of hard and soft tissues.
• Introduce dental procedures to the young child and apprehensive patient.

The frequency of your visits will be determined by your child’s overall risk factors for cavities and gum disease. We understand that many patients have anxiety about coming to the dentist, and we would love to help make this a great experience. Please call our office with any concerns or specific care requests or accommodations.

My child has sensitive teeth. Is there something that can help?

Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold could be attributed to one or more of the following: cavities, parafunctional habits (e.g. grinding), gum recession, enamel defects, or nonspecific dental sensitivity. If the sensitivity is new, or if they have not been seen recently, a dental exam will help to determine the cause, and we recommend scheduling as soon as possible. While most sensitivity can be treated, some patients suffer from generalized dental sensitivity with an unknown cause. Utilizing Sensodyne toothpaste has shown to be effective at reducing this type of sensitivity. We also offer non-invasive treatment options to decrease sensitivity with minimal to no discomfort by applying a fluoride varnish, silver diamine fluoride, or other desensitizing agents as indicated.

Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride is used to help prevent tooth decay and is usually recommended for all children. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) affirms that the use of fluoride as an adjunct in the prevention of caries is safe and effective. We are happy to discuss fluoride usage and answer any questions, and we always leave it up to the parents to decide if it will be used during the visit.