--- title: "Dental Cleanings" description: "Children's teeth cleaning in Commerce Township, MI. What a pediatric cleaning includes, what it reveals about home care, and how long it takes." canonical_html: "https://www.lakespd.com/cleanings" canonical_markdown: "https://www.lakespd.com/cleanings.md" updated_at: "2026-09-16T18:05:46.000Z" brand: "Lakes Pediatric Dentistry" status: "public" aio_version: "aio_markdown_v1" --- # Dental Cleanings Children's teeth cleaning in Commerce Township, MI. What a pediatric cleaning includes, what it reveals about home care, and how long it takes. ## Cleanings Children's teeth cleaning, and what it tells us. Brushing at home does most of the work. A professional cleaning does the part brushing cannot: tartar has to be scaled off. Dr. Naila Farooq has cared for Commerce Township children as a pediatric specialist since 1999. Request an appointment Call the office ## What a cleaning tells us Where tartar builds shows which parts of the mouth are being missed at home. Gums that bleed easily mean inflammation. Staining points to what your child is drinking. Before you leave, we tell you plainly which areas need more attention and what to change. Baby teeth matter here more than parents expect. They hold space for the permanent teeth forming beneath them, and a baby tooth lost early to decay lets its neighbors drift into the gap, crowding the adult tooth meant to fill it. Temporary, but not disposable. The hygienist cleans and Dr. Farooq examines, at the same six-month visit. We start within about ten minutes of your scheduled time. ## During the cleaning Four steps, in the order the hygienist works through them. Our hygienist works through the mouth systematically. Expect pressure, vibration, and a gritty toothpaste: more strange than painful. Scaling the gumline and between the teeth Polishing every surface of every tooth Flossing the contacts between the back molars Fluoride varnish to finish, at the same appointment About 10 to 20 minutes, depending on your child's age Cleaning, X-rays and check-up together in about 30 minutes ## Questions parents ask About the cleaning itself. What parents ask before and after a cleaning. Why a professional cleaning if my child brushes twice a day? Because tartar cannot be brushed off. Plaque that is not removed hardens within about 48 hours, and hardened tartar needs a dental instrument. We see it even in children with excellent brushing habits, usually along the gumline and behind the lower front teeth, where a toothbrush has the hardest angle. Does a cleaning hurt? For most children, no. It is pressure, vibration, and a gritty toothpaste. Inflamed gums may feel some tenderness during scaling. If your child is anxious, tell us before the appointment; we can slow the pace and let them hold the instruments first. Do baby teeth really need to be cleaned? Yes. Baby teeth hold the space for the permanent teeth forming underneath them. Decay in a baby tooth causes real pain and can spread to its neighbors. Temporary, but not disposable. How long does a cleaning take? About 10 to 20 minutes, depending on age. Cleaning, X-rays and check-up together take around 30 minutes, and we start within about ten minutes of your scheduled time. Gums bleed when we brush. Should we stop? No. Bleeding usually means plaque is sitting along the gumline and the tissue is inflamed. Gums that are brushed and flossed consistently generally stop bleeding within a week or two. If it continues past that, tell us. ## What parents say about cleanings. Read all reviews on Google They are always great with our kids and visits are quick. Easy to schedule both kids together for their cleanings, and the staff always comes out after to explain the visit and if anything is needed. Courtney Kane, Parent My 3 year old had his first visit today, checkup, cleaning, etc., and it was a fantastic experience! Ms. Felicia started by reading an interactive Elmo book and making everything fun. The dentist is an obvious pro, quick and efficient! LynZann, Parent He is shy of strangers and wasn't the most cooperative, but the staff is clearly very experienced dealing with young children. They explained things to him with a picture book and were very patient. The actual examination and cleaning felt thorough but quick. Theresa D., Parent ## Part of the same visit ⟦icon:clipboard-check@22⟧ Check-ups The exam Dr. Farooq does at each six-month visit: teeth, bite, gums, and growth by stage. Learn more ⟦icon:droplets@22⟧ Fluoride treatment The varnish that finishes every cleaning, and how fluoride protects enamel between visits. Learn more ⟦icon:shield@22⟧ Dental sealants A thin coating for the molar grooves a toothbrush cannot reach, applied without drilling. Learn more ## Book a visit Ready to schedule your child's visit? Call us during office hours or send a request online any time. Our team will reach out to book a time that works for your family. New patients are always welcome. Front desk, Monday to Thursday, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM 248-360-2555 Call the office Request an appointment After-hours dental emergency? Call [248-345-6775](tel:2483456775). ## Have an emergency? If your child is struggling to breathe or swallow, or has a head injury, call 911 first. For a dental emergency that is not life-threatening, such as a knocked-out tooth, a broken tooth, dental swelling, or pain that will not settle, call our emergency line, day or night. We would rather tell you it can wait than have you sit on it over a weekend. Call the emergency line What counts as an emergency ## Links - [Contact](https://www.lakespd.com/contact-us) - [https://www.google.com/maps/place/Lakes+Pediatric+Dentistry/@42.5906692,-83.4453549,1273m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m16!1m9!3m8!1s0x8824a49851f497cb:0x2dd94e173448d04!2sLakes+Pediatric+Dentistry!8m2!3d42.5906692!4d-83.4453549!9m1!1b1!16s%2Fg%2F1tg35v8z!3m5!1s0x8824a49851f497cb:0x2dd94e173448d04!8m2!3d42.5906692!4d-83.4453549!16s%2Fg%2F1tg35v8z?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDkwOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Lakes+Pediatric+Dentistry/@42.5906692,-83.4453549,1273m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m16!1m9!3m8!1s0x8824a49851f497cb:0x2dd94e173448d04!2sLakes+Pediatric+Dentistry!8m2!3d42.5906692!4d-83.4453549!9m1!1b1!16s%2Fg%2F1tg35v8z!3m5!1s0x8824a49851f497cb:0x2dd94e173448d04!8m2!3d42.5906692!4d-83.4453549!16s%2Fg%2F1tg35v8z?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDkwOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) - [Check-ups](https://www.lakespd.com/check-ups) - [Fluoride Treatment](https://www.lakespd.com/fluoride-treatment) - [Dental Sealants](https://www.lakespd.com/dental-sealants) - [tel:2483602555](tel:2483602555) - [tel:2483456775](tel:2483456775) - [/what-constitutes-a-dental-emergency/](/what-constitutes-a-dental-emergency/)