Amid the back-to-school shopping, sports physicals, and last-minute summer getaways, it’s easy for dental health to take a backseat. But the start of a new school year is an ideal time to schedule a dental cleaning for your child, tween, or teen at LANCO Dental Care in Lancaster, PA.

What’s included in a dental cleaning?

Regular dental cleanings are recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA) at least twice a year. Routine dental cleaning can minimize the risk of oral disease and tooth decay by removing plaque and tartar buildup on tooth enamel. Most visits take less than an hour, but they can have lasting positive effects throughout your child’s life. Children should begin having regular dental visits from around six months of age, depending on when the child gets their first tooth.

Dental cleanings will typically include x-rays of your child’s mouth, though the frequency of this may depend on your insurance coverage. After that, the team at LANCO Dental Care in Lancaster, PA will use special tools to thoroughly clean each tooth and apply polish to remove any stains on the surface of the enamel. Depending on your needs and wishes, our team may apply a fluoride treatment to further enhance your child’s oral health.

Our dental professionals will also assess your child’s tongue, gums, throat, cheeks, and the roof of their mouth for any signs of disease or irregular development.

Why are back-to-school dental cleanings important?

There are many reasons we recommend scheduling one of your child’s two annual dental cleanings to coincide with the back-to-school season, including:

• This time of year typically involves scheduling many appointments, and tying the start of the school year to a dental cleaning is a good way to ensure you don’t forget to schedule this service for your child.

• Everyone wants to make a good impression on the first day of school, and having a clean, bright smile is a great way to boost your child’s confidence.

• Summer is a notoriously relaxed time, with many families taking vacations and possibly allowing their children more desserts or candy snacks than they might otherwise. A post-summer checkup is a good way to make sure no damage has been done to their teeth.

• Getting into a dental routine can benefit your child for the rest of their lives, as habits built when a person is young have the best chance of becoming permanent into adulthood. Dental cleaning isn’t just important for your smile; poor oral health has been tied to a variety of serious health conditions, including cardiovascular disease.

• At routine exams, your child’s dental care professionals can check for any abnormalities in how their teeth are coming in, which can be helpful for identifying potential orthodontic needs when their permanent teeth have grown in.

• Having repeated exposure to the dental care process can help alleviate any fear your child might have about going to the dentist.

Schedule your child’s back-to-school dental cleaning in Lancaster, PA

Dental cleanings should be part of your family’s back-to-school routine, and ensuring your child has regular dental visits can improve their overall health and even boost their confidence. Allow our team of dental professionals at LANCO Dental Care in Lancaster, PA to help your child establish good dental habits they can carry on for the rest of their lives.