Children's teeth scaling and tips you should know Dr. Mandana Hejazi

One of the most important principles of oral and dental health care in children is paying attention to daily hygiene and visiting the dentist regularly. In the meantime, many parents think that criminalization is only for adults and does not need to be done for children. While the formation of microbial plaques and plaque on the teeth can occur from the very early years of life and endanger the health of the child's milk and permanent teeth. In this article from a good pediatric dentist in Tehran, we comprehensively discuss the topic of child scaling, from its importance and reasons for its need to the method, benefits, appropriate age, and post-scaling care.

What is tooth mass and why does it occur in children?

Layered tooth mass It is hard and yellowish, which is formed by the accumulation of microbial plaques, saliva, food particles and bacteria on the tooth surface. If the plaques are not removed in time with a toothbrush or dental floss, they harden and turn into plaque due to the minerals in the saliva.

There is also a possibility of plaque formation in children for the following reasons:

Not brushing or brushing incorrectly
A lot of interest in eating sweets and chocolate
Laziness in oral hygiene
Parental supervision of the child's toothbrush
High consumption of substances Sugar without brushing the teeth
Saliva disorders or dry mouth
The formation of calculus, whether it is on the baby teeth or on the growing permanent teeth, seriously damages the oral health.

The importance of dental scaling in children

Regular scaling prevents the occurrence of many problems that, if not paid attention to, can lead to pain, decay and even tooth loss. Some of the reasons for the importance of dental scaling in children are:

Preventing tooth decay: Plaque and plaque are an ideal environment for the growth of harmful bacteria.
Prevention of gingivitis: Accumulation of plaque irritates the gums and causes inflammation, bleeding, and bad breath. make it yellow and ugly.
Facilitating the growth of permanent teeth: Healthy gums cause the proper growth of permanent teeth.
Creating proper care habits from childhood: Regular visit to the dentist creates a positive attitude towards oral hygiene.

From what age can teeth scaling be done for a child?

It can be taken at different ages depending on the condition of the mouth and the amount of mass. Normally:

The first visit to the dentist should be done around 1 year of age.
If the teeth are stained or prematurely tartared, scaling can be done even at 3 to 4 years old.
After the eruption of permanent teeth, which is from the age of 6 onwards, scaling the child’s teeth becomes more important.
Dentist based on the specific conditions of the dentist. The child decides whether scaling is necessary or not.

Steps of scaling a child's teeth

Scaling in children is done in such a way that the child does not feel pain or fear. The procedure may be slightly different from that of adults, but the general steps are as follows:

Complete examination of the mouth and teeth: The dentist first examines the mouth to assess the amount of mass, the place of its accumulation, the health of the gums and the presence of decay.
Removal of calculus with ultrasonic or manual tools: Using an ultrasonic device or manual tools, the layers of calculus are removed from the teeth.
Polishing teeth: After removing the calculus, the teeth are polished with a special paste to make them smooth and shiny.
Fluoride therapy: To further protect the teeth against Fluoride gel or varnish is used on the teeth.

Does scaling hurt the child?

No. Scaling of a child's teeth is not painful if it is done by a pediatric dentist. The child may feel a little vibration or pressure, but this treatment is often done without anesthesia and does not cause any particular discomfort. If the gums are sensitive or there is severe inflammation, the dentist may use local anesthetic gel so that the child has a more comfortable experience.