Taking a small child to the dentist can be an experience that worries both the parent and the child, primarily because there are a lot of unknowns about this visit. If you are worried about your child's visit and are wondering if the dentist will clean the child's teeth during this visit, you should know that the answer to this will depend on multiple factors, and here are some of them.

The child's age

The age of a child plays a big role in what happens at his or her first dental visit, and this is primarily because children are not really able to get their teeth cleaned when they are really young. It is best to take a child to the dentist around the age of one, but many parents do not do this. If you do, though, the dentist most likely will not clean the child's teeth. If the child's first visit is around the age of three or four, though, there is a good chance the child will be old enough to sit still during the cleaning, and therefore, the dentist might at least try.

The child's reactions, personality, and attitude

In addition to age, dentists also factor in the way a child acts when they determine what they will do at a first visit. Ultimately, dentists want to make first visits, and subsequent ones too, a pleasurable and positive experience for a child. In other words, dentists want kids to want to come back to the dentist's office, and this is why they will determine what they do during a first visit on how the child reacts. If a child is positive, happy, and willing to open his or her mouth, the dentist might decide to go ahead and attempt a cleaning. If the child is scared or unwilling to follow directions, the dentist will not force the child to do so.

The condition of the child's teeth

The condition of the child's teeth will also play a role in this decision. While just physically taking a peek at the child's teeth will not reveal everything about the teeth, it will tell the dentist a lot. If the dentist sees decay, he or she may recommend cleaning the teeth and treating the problems he or she sees on the teeth. If the teeth appear clean, healthy, and free of decay, waiting to clean the teeth until the next appointment might be a good idea.

If you have questions about your child's teeth or when to schedule a first visit, contact a pediatric dentist today.