Children's Dental Cleanings and Treatments in Amarillo, TX

Comprehensive Dental Cleanings for Children

At AOMS Pediatric & Children’s Dentistry, we believe that establishing excellent oral health habits early in life sets the foundation for a lifetime of healthy, beautiful smiles. Regular dental cleanings and preventive treatments are essential components of pediatric dental care, helping to keep your child’s teeth strong, healthy, and cavity-free. Our team of specialized pediatric dentists—Dr. Lorra Lindsey, Dr. Kristin Swanson, Dr. Semantha Charles, and Dr. Leslee Huggins—have undergone unique training to provide gentle, effective cleanings and treatments specifically designed for growing smiles.

Children should receive professional dental cleanings twice a year, typically every six months, beginning around age three or when most of their primary teeth have erupted. These routine dental visits allow our pediatric dentists to monitor your child’s oral development, catch potential problems early, and provide preventive care that protects against tooth decay and gum disease. Some children with higher risk factors for cavities or other dental conditions may benefit from more frequent cleanings, and our doctors will work with you to determine the optimal schedule for your child’s individual needs.

What to Expect During Your Child’s Cleaning Appointment

We understand that visiting the dentist can feel overwhelming for young children, which is why we’ve created a fun, welcoming environment where kids of all ages feel comfortable and safe. Our kid-friendly dental office in Amarillo is designed to make dental visits enjoyable experiences that children look forward to rather than fear.

During a comprehensive cleaning and checkup appointment, our pediatric dental team will:

• Review Medical and Dental History: We’ll discuss any changes in your child’s health, medications, or dental concerns since the last visit. This helps us provide the most appropriate and safe care for your child’s unique situation.
• Perform a Thorough Oral Examination: Our pediatric dentist will carefully examine your child’s teeth, gums, jaw, and soft tissues to assess overall oral health. We check for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, proper tooth development, bite alignment issues, and any abnormalities that may require attention.
• Take Necessary Dental X-Rays: In accordance with American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry guidelines, we only recommend dental X-rays when clinically necessary to protect your child’s health. X-rays help us detect cavities between teeth, monitor tooth development, and identify issues not visible during a visual exam. No scans will be taken without explicit permission from a parent or caregiver.
• Professional Teeth Cleaning: Our skilled dental assistants will gently remove plaque and tartar buildup from your child’s teeth using specialized pediatric instruments. We clean all tooth surfaces, including hard-to-reach areas that regular brushing and flossing can’t adequately clean. The teeth are then polished to remove surface stains and create a smooth surface that resists plaque accumulation.
• Oral Hygiene Education: We take time to teach your child proper brushing and flossing techniques using age-appropriate language and demonstrations. Our team specializes in motivating children to take ownership of their oral health, making dental care fun rather than a chore.
• Discuss Findings and Recommendations: After the examination and cleaning, we’ll review our findings with both you and your child. We use simple explanations and visual aids to help children understand their oral health, and we’ll discuss any recommended treatments or changes to home care routines.

Ready to schedule your child’s dental cleaning? Contact AOMS Pediatric & Children’s Dentistry today at 806-410-1919 to book an appointment at our Amarillo office. Our friendly team is here to make your child’s dental experience positive and stress-free!

Preventive Treatments for Optimal Oral Health

In addition to thorough cleanings, we offer several preventive treatments that provide extra protection for your child’s developing teeth. These treatments are safe, effective, and can significantly reduce your child’s risk of cavities and other dental problems.

Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride is a natural mineral found in bones, teeth, water, soil, plants, and rocks. When used in dentistry, fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and provides powerful protection against tooth decay. After your child’s teeth are cleaned and polished, we typically apply a professional fluoride treatment to provide enhanced cavity protection.

The benefits of fluoride treatments include:

• Reverses Early Tooth Decay: Fluoride can actually reverse the earliest stages of tooth decay by remineralizing areas where enamel has begun to break down, stopping cavities before they require fillings.
• Prevents Harmful Bacterial Growth: Fluoride inhibits the growth of cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth, reducing the acid production that leads to tooth decay.
• Slows Mineral Loss: Tooth enamel naturally loses minerals throughout the day due to acid exposure from foods, beverages, and bacteria. Fluoride slows this demineralization process, keeping teeth stronger.
• Rebuilds Weakened Enamel: Fluoride promotes remineralization, helping to rebuild and strengthen tooth enamel that has become weakened by acid attacks.

Professional fluoride treatments are quick, painless, and highly effective at protecting children’s teeth between dental visits. The fluoride is applied as a gel, foam, or varnish that is painted onto the teeth, allowing the mineral to be absorbed into the enamel. The treatment takes just a few minutes and provides protection that lasts for months.

Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are thin, protective coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of molars to prevent cavities in the deep grooves and pits where food particles and bacteria easily become trapped. Even with careful brushing, these grooves can be difficult for children to clean thoroughly, making molars particularly vulnerable to decay.

The sealant application process is simple, comfortable, and completely painless:

1. The tooth surface is thoroughly cleaned and dried
2. A special solution is applied to help the sealant bond to the tooth
3. The liquid sealant material is carefully painted onto the grooves of the tooth
4. A special curing light hardens the sealant in seconds

Once applied, sealants create a smooth, protective barrier that prevents food and bacteria from settling into the vulnerable grooves of the molars. Sealants can last for several years with proper care and can be reapplied if needed. Studies show that sealants reduce the risk of cavities in molars by nearly 80%, making them one of the most effective preventive treatments available for children.

We typically recommend sealants for permanent molars as soon as they erupt, usually around ages 6 and 12. However, sealants can benefit children of any age who are at higher risk for cavities or have deep grooves in their teeth.

Space Maintainers

Sometimes a baby tooth may fall out prematurely due to decay, injury, or early extraction. When this happens, the surrounding teeth can shift into the empty space, potentially blocking the permanent tooth from erupting in its proper position. Space maintainers prevent this problem by holding open the space until the permanent tooth is ready to emerge.

A space maintainer is a custom-made appliance created specifically for your child’s mouth. It’s attached to a tooth adjacent to the empty space and uses a metal band or wire to keep the space open. Space maintainers are durable, comfortable, and barely noticeable in your child’s mouth. They’re worn until the permanent tooth begins to erupt, at which point we’ll remove the maintainer.

Space maintainers help ensure proper alignment of permanent teeth, reduce the likelihood of needing extensive orthodontic treatment later, and prevent more serious bite problems from developing.

Protect your child’s smile with comprehensive preventive care! Schedule an appointment with AOMS Pediatric & Children’s Dentistry by calling 806-410-1919. We make dental visits fun, educational, and effective for children of all ages.

Additional Treatments for Children’s Dental Health

Beyond preventive care, our practice offers a full range of treatments to address any dental issues your child may experience. Our pediatric specialists are trained to handle everything from simple cavities to complex dental concerns with the gentle, compassionate care children need.

Restorations

When tooth decay does occur despite preventive efforts, prompt treatment is essential to stop the decay from spreading and restore the tooth’s health and function. We offer various restorative treatments including tooth-colored fillings, stainless steel crowns, and other options designed specifically for pediatric patients. Our pediatric dentists use the latest techniques and materials to ensure comfortable, durable restorations that blend naturally with your child’s smile.

Emergency Dental Care

Dental emergencies can happen at any time, and when they do, you need a pediatric dental team you can count on. Whether your child has a severe toothache, knocked-out tooth, broken tooth, or other urgent dental problem, AOMS Pediatric & Children’s Dentistry provides prompt, compassionate emergency dental care. We prioritize emergency patients and work quickly to relieve pain and save damaged teeth whenever possible.

Early Dental Care and Education

We believe that early dental care and education are crucial for establishing healthy habits that last a lifetime. Our team works closely with parents to provide guidance on proper oral hygiene techniques, nutrition for healthy teeth, thumb-sucking and pacifier habits, and what to expect as your child’s teeth develop. We also educate families about home care practices that support excellent oral health between dental visits.

Why Choose AOMS Pediatric & Children’s Dentistry

Selecting the right pediatric dental practice for your family is an important decision. At AOMS Pediatric & Children’s Dentistry, we offer several advantages that set us apart:

• Specialized Pediatric Training: All of our doctors have completed additional years of specialized training beyond dental school, focusing exclusively on the unique dental needs of children from infancy through adolescence. This specialized education includes child psychology, growth and development, and techniques for managing young patients with special needs.
• Child-Centered Environment: Our office is designed with children in mind, creating a welcoming, fun atmosphere that helps kids feel comfortable and excited about dental visits rather than anxious. We use age-appropriate language, positive reinforcement, and patience to ensure every child has a positive experience.
• Comprehensive Care: From preventive cleanings to complex treatments, we provide complete pediatric dental care under one roof, eliminating the need for referrals to multiple specialists for most dental needs.
• State-of-the-Art Facility: Our Amarillo practice features the latest dental technology and equipment designed specifically for pediatric dentistry, ensuring the most effective, comfortable care possible.
• Experienced, Compassionate Team: Our entire team—from our pediatric dentists to our dental assistants and front office staff—shares a genuine love for working with children and is committed to making every visit positive and educational.
• Parent Education and Involvement: We believe parents are partners in their children’s oral health. We take time to answer questions, provide guidance, and ensure you feel confident caring for your child’s teeth at home.

Building Healthy Habits for Life

Regular dental cleanings and preventive treatments do more than just keep your child’s teeth clean and cavity-free—they help establish positive associations with dental care that last a lifetime. Children who receive consistent, gentle dental care from a young age are more likely to maintain excellent oral health habits as they grow, reducing their risk for serious dental problems in adulthood.

At AOMS Pediatric & Children’s Dentistry, we’re committed to making dental visits enjoyable learning experiences where children develop confidence in caring for their smiles. We celebrate achievements, offer encouragement, and help children understand why oral health matters. Many of our young patients actually look forward to their dental appointments, which speaks to the positive, supportive environment we’ve created.

Schedule Your Child’s Cleaning and Treatment Appointment Today

Don’t wait for dental problems to develop—proactive preventive care is the key to maintaining your child’s oral health. Whether your child is due for a regular cleaning or you have concerns about their dental development, the team at AOMS Pediatric & Children’s Dentistry is here to help.

We serve families throughout Amarillo and the surrounding Texas Panhandle communities, providing exceptional pediatric dental care that prioritizes your child’s comfort, health, and happiness. Our convenient location and flexible scheduling make it easy to fit dental appointments into your busy family schedule.

Give your child the gift of excellent oral health! Contact AOMS Pediatric & Children’s Dentistry at 806-410-1919 to schedule a cleaning and treatment appointment. Our friendly team looks forward to welcoming your family to our practice and helping your child achieve a lifetime of healthy, beautiful smiles.