Hygiene & Exams
Helping your child keep a sparkling smile for a lifetime!
The Importance of Good Hygiene and Regular Exams
At Smile Surfers, we strongly emphasize preventive care, which is why we encourage routine exams and cleanings—even if your little surfer is a pro at brushing and flossing! No matter how well your child maintains their teeth, regular cleanings are still essential. It’s nearly impossible to remove all plaque-forming bacteria at home. Once it hardens into tartar, only a dentist or dental hygienist can safely remove it, making this step vital in preventing gum disease and cavities.
Comprehensive exams allow us to detect dental issues such as cavities and gum disease early on, before they become visible or cause discomfort.
Our pediatric dentists also monitor the development of your child’s face, jaw, and the transition from baby teeth to permanent teeth. This helps us anticipate and address potential issues before they escalate into bigger, more painful, and costly problems.
By maintaining regular exams and cleanings, your child will grow up understanding the importance of combining good at-home oral hygiene with dental visits—which they’ll LOVE, by the way!
Our goal is to prevent dental issues and foster healthy habits that will benefit your little surfers for a lifetime!
What to Expect During a Dental Exam & Cleaning
Child Brushing
Preventive Exam
To gain a better understanding of what’s happening between the teeth, beneath the gums, and in the surrounding bone, the dentist may recommend digital x-rays. These x-rays can also help us anticipate your child’s future dental growth and needs.
Digital x-rays are safe and reduce radiation exposure by 90%. They are also highly effective for the early detection of dental problems.
If your child could benefit from sealants and time permits, we can often complete this treatment alongside their cleaning.
Cleaning
A surf instructor will meticulously clean your child’s teeth to remove any plaque buildup (tartar or calculus), helping to prevent gum disease and cavities.
Next, we’ll floss and polish the teeth to eliminate plaque and stains. Your little surfer will get to choose from a selection of delicious polish flavors (how about strawberry?).
Finally, we’ll apply a topical fluoride varnish to their teeth to protect against cavities. With this type of fluoride, your child can eat and drink immediately afterward.
Education & Treatment
Knowledge is power, and that’s what we strive to provide you.
Our dentists and hygienists will:
- Discuss overall wellness, covering aspects like diet, hygiene, and breaking habits such as thumb sucking.
- Review treatment recommendations based on their findings.
- Share tips on how to prevent dental problems.
- Demonstrate how to brush and floss correctly (always in a fun, kid-friendly way).
- Address any questions you or your children may have.
- When you leave an exam and cleaning, we want you to feel informed and knowledgeable about your child’s health.
- As always, we want your little surfer to leave with a positive attitude toward their oral health and dental visits!
Infant Dental Care
Our pediatric dentists have all the answers about dental hygiene!
Dental Exams and Cleanings F.A.Q.
How often does my child need to see the pediatric dentist?
It is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry that your child has a dental check-up every six months in order to prevent cavities and other dental problems.
This time frame can vary based on what your provider thinks is best for your little surfer’s personal needs.
When should I take my child to the dentist for their first check-up?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends your children see a pediatric dentist when their first tooth appears or no later than their first birthday.
Click here to schedule your children’s first appointments at our Moses Lake, WA dental office.
How safe are dental x-rays?
At Smile Surfers, your child’s health is our top priority.
To protect your little surfer, we utilize digital x-rays. These reduce exposure to radiation by 90% in comparison to traditional x-rays, making them much safer.
What other dental services do you offer?
Smile Surfers Kids Dentistry is proud to offer pediatric dental services to communities throughout Washington.
In addition to hygiene and exams, we offer:
- Fillings and Crowns
- Extractions
- Baby Root Canal
- Sealants and Fluoride
- Space Maintainers
- Sedation Dentistry
- Infant and Adolescent Care
- Frenectomies
- Pediatric Dental Emergencies
Click here to learn more about each of these services.
Have more questions?
We’d love to answer them! Click here to read more FAQs and answers about pediatric dentistry.
