Children’s Dental Cleanings in Commerce City, CO

Prevention of dental issues such as cavities or crooked teeth is much easier (and much, much less costly!) than corrective treatment. This is why we strongly encourage preventative dental cleanings.

Did you know that oral cleanings can start before children have teeth? Before teeth are present, the gums, bite, soft tissue, and bone structures of the oral cavity need to be cleaned and examined for potential issues. Starting preventative care early also helps develop good oral habits that will be of benefit throughout child and adulthood. Early check-ups also help Dr. Tippets ensure that baby teeth are coming in correctly and on time. It helps him evaluate the health of your child’s mouth and identify any possible cavities or dental issues before they worsen.

Once teeth are present, Dr. Tippets will begin routine cleanings by gently removing any plaque from the teeth with a tooth scraper. This will protect the gums and teeth from bacteria that thrive on plaque. Your child’s teeth will then be brushed and flossed thoroughly to remove any remaining plaque between the teeth.

Once the dental cleaning is completed, Dr. Tippets and his team will provide instructions on how to properly keep your child’s teeth healthy and beautiful. Instructions include brushing, flossing, and other general tips on maintaining oral health. Getting into the habit of having your children’s teeth professionally cleaned at least once every 6 months is definitely a habit worth instilling into your children for the rest of their lives.

In addition to caring for and seeing your children grow, Dr. Tippets and the team love the opportunity to show your children proper techniques and provide that friendly reminder to brush and floss daily!

Dr. Tippets and the team at Reunion Pediatric Dentistry are well-experienced and skilled at using positive, soothing words and phrases in order to make going to the dentist as enjoyable as possible.

Cavity Prevention

One of the main goals of pediatric dentists like Dr. Tippets is to prevent the development of cavities in his young patients. Cavities are caused by tooth enamel that has been “eaten away” by bacteria. These areas of decay can allow infection into the mouth and dental structures while also destroying the health and structure of the affected tooth. 

Babies are actually born without the bacteria that cause dental cavities. These bacteria develop when milk and food are left too long in the mouth. This can cause problems if not cleaned out regularly with brushing and rinsing. Parents and caregivers can also introduce germs into the baby’s mouth by sharing saliva by doing things such as sharing spoons when testing food or cleaning off pacifiers in their mouths before giving it to their baby. Once in the mouth, these bacteria start the process that causes cavities even before babies have teeth, so it is important to avoid letting milk sit in your baby’s mouth while sleeping and avoid sharing saliva with your baby right from the start.

Tips to Prevent Cavities in Your Child:

• Clean off pacifiers with water, not your saliva.
• Do not allow your child to fall asleep with a bottle of milk or juice because the sugar will allow bacteria to thrive.
• Do not share feeding utensils with the baby. You have much more bacteria already in your mouth than they do.
• For babies, gently brush and rinse gums before teeth come in.
• For toddlers, brush their teeth at least 2x a day with a small rice-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Try flossing once a day.
• Minimize the amount of sugary foods and drinks your children have. Too much sugar is the leading cause of cavities.
• Make brushing a fun, family routine!

By age 4 or 5, children should be able to brush their own teeth twice a day with supervision until you think they are getting all their teeth, tongue, and aren’t swallowing the toothpaste.

Dr. Tippets and the team at Reunion Pediatric Dentistry, will be happy to help you determine when your child is brushing properly. During your child’s dental appointment, Dr. Tippets and his hygienist will look for signs of potential dental problems such as cavities, inflamed gums, or other oral issues and get an early start on correcting them.

Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride is a mineral that strengthens our tooth enamel and prevents decay. It is found naturally in many water sources and some foods. While we all receive a certain amount of fluoride from our diet and from using toothpaste with fluoride, occasionally we need additional fluoride to further strengthen our teeth and prevent cavities.

When your child comes to Reunion Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Tippets and his team will, if necessary, provide a fluoride treatment following their preventative dental cleaning. Fluoride works to restore and strengthen tooth enamel, providing a barrier and preventing tooth decay and cavities. In addition, fluoride strengthens teeth as they develop to make sure they are strong and healthy. Fluoride is very important for children as their teeth are developing.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) provides the following fluoride recommendations to prevent cavities:

• Start using toothpaste with fluoride as soon as the first tooth erupts.
• Use a smear (the size of a grain of rice) of fluoride toothpaste daily until your child is 3 years old.
• After age 3, a pea-sized amount may be used.
• A fluoride varnish following dental cleaning visits is recommended.
• Avoid over-the-counter fluoride rinses in children under 6 years of age as they may swallow higher-than-recommended levels of fluoride.