Dental Checkups & Cleanings – Papillion, NE
A Proactive Way to Prevent Cavities Year-Round
A child’s smile grows quickly as they transition to each new stage from infancy to adolescence. Whether it’s welcoming their primary or permanent teeth or monitoring the development of their bite and jaw to ensure proper alignment, it’s important that their teeth remain as healthy as possible during this phase of life. At Surf’s Up Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Cushing is here to provide dental checkups and cleanings in Papillion so that the chance of cavities remains low as the years pass. If you’re ready to set your child’s smile up for success, call us to schedule an appointment today.
Why Choose Surf’s Up Pediatric Dentistry for Dental Checkups and Cleanings?
- Cushing is a Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist
- Kid-Friendly Dental Office Amenities to Keep Children Entertained
- Compassionate & Gentle Dental Team
Why are Regular Dental Checkups & Cleanings Important?
Your child’s primary teeth serve as the foundation for what will become their permanent smile. This means that keeping these incoming pearly whites healthy is essential. To do this, regular dental checkups and cleanings every six months can minimize the risk of cavities and tooth decay, giving these pearly whites a chance to thrive until it’s time for them to fall out on their own.
With regular visits to our dental office, Dr. Cushing can closely monitor your child’s tooth eruption, health, and alignment. This allows him to recommend appropriate treatment the moment he detects anything out of the ordinary – an essential component to ensuring oral health problems do not worsen but instead can be treated right away.
What to Expect During a Dental Checkup
When bringing your child in to see Dr. Cushing, they may feel apprehensive depending on their age and experience with dental offices. Do not worry, as our team understands this can be a trying time. Fortunately, we take a calm and compassionate approach as well as offer child-friendly amenities to help create a more fun and enjoyable environment.
During your child’s dental checkup, we will take digital X-rays of their mouth so that Dr. Cushing can see a clearer view of all areas of the oral cavity. We will then closely examine their teeth and gums using special instruments before discussing any areas of concern. If additional treatment is recommended, we will go over that with you during the appointment and discuss options for preventive or restorative care.
What to Expect During a Dental Cleaning
After the examination is complete, we’ll want to make sure that your child’s teeth leave healthier than when they arrived, so one of our hygienists will perform a professional dental cleaning. We’ll remove any hardened plaque and tartar as well as floss between their teeth to ensure any remnants of bad bacteria no longer remain.
If approved, we will also administer fluoride treatment to better protect their teeth in between appointments.
Before leaving, we’ll go over ways to improve brushing and flossing at home and provide your child with fun tips to make their oral hygiene routine more enjoyable at home.
Checkups & Cleanings FAQs
When should I take my child to the dentist for the first time?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends scheduling your child's first dental visit by their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth coming in, whichever comes first.
This might seem a little early, but it’s the perfect time for Dr. Cushing to check on your child's tooth development. During this visit, he’ll look for any signs of issues, build a treatment plan, and start a positive relationship right away. This is the first big step to building oral health habits that will follow your child for a lifetime.
Why do dentists recommend fluoride treatment after dental cleanings?
Fluoride is one of the most effective tools pediatric dentists use to protect your child from cavities. After a thorough cleaning, the surface of their teeth is freshly cleared of plaque and tartar, making it the best moment to apply fluoride.
The naturally occurring mineral strengthens enamel and helps it resist the acids produced by bacteria, giving your child's teeth added protection between appointments. At Surf's Up Pediatric Dentistry, we offer fluoride treatment as a routine part of preventive care for our patients when we believe it would be worth the investment.
How often does my child need to visit the dentist for a cleaning and exam?
For most children—and adults, for that matter—every six months is the standard recommendation. Regular visits to our pediatric dentist in Papillion allow Dr. Cushing to watch tooth eruption, catch early signs of decay, and keep plaque and tartar from building up between cleanings.
Some children with a higher cavity risk may benefit from more frequent visits, while others may be fine with the bi-annual schedule. Dr. Cushing will let you know what schedule makes the most sense for your child's individual needs.
What should I do if my child has sensitive teeth and finds dental cleanings uncomfortable?
Start by letting us know before the appointment. The more we know upfront, the better we can prepare for your child’s comfort. Our team takes a calm, gentle approach with every patient, and we can adjust our technique to keep your child as comfortable as possible.
For children who experience significant anxiety or discomfort, dental sedation is available to help them relax during their visit. For teens with heavier tartar buildup, we may occasionally use ultrasonic scaling, though we always tailor our instruments and treatment options to what works best for each patient.