Extra Gentle Care for Their Gums and Teeth
Children need regular dental visits just like adults. Routine cleanings and exams are key to maintaining their oral health and supporting proper development. Cleanings remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria that can lead to decay, gum disease, bad breath, and impact how their adult teeth come in. A kid-friendly hygienist can reach spots that are hard for children to clean at home with brushing and flossing.
After a thorough cleaning, the hygienist and dentist will assess their overall oral health, check any baby teeth that are coming in or falling out, and monitor the progress of adult teeth settling into place. We’ll also provide personalized tips to help you take care of your child’s oral health at home.
Routine Pediatric Teeth Cleanings and Exams Help To:
- Keep baby and adult teeth healthy and strong.
- Prevent gum disease and support overall oral health.
- Track progress and milestones as their mouth changes.
- Build a positive relationship with the dentist.
- Empower kids to manage their oral health at home.
- Establish lifelong healthy habits.
What Happens During Children’s Teeth Cleaning?
Before the appointment, we review your child’s chart and history to pinpoint any concerns or patterns. Depending on their needs, we may take X-rays or discuss fluoride treatments and sealants for new adult teeth. To ensure your child feels at ease, we use kid-friendly language and encourage them to share their thoughts or questions about their teeth and mouth.
Gum Health
Gums are essential for supporting your child’s teeth and shaping their smile. As their permanent teeth come in, maintaining healthy gums is important, as children are just as likely as adults to experience gum inflammation. We carefully check the soft tissues in their mouth and offer age-appropriate tips for flossing and gum care at home.
Plaque & Tartar Removal
Plaque is a sticky film that starts forming on teeth as soon as they appear. If not regularly removed, it can harden into tartar, leading to decay, especially in those tricky spots between teeth and along the gumline. Our hygienist uses specialized tools to gently remove plaque and tartar, cleaning those hard-to-reach areas. Once cleared, we may suggest a fluoride treatment to help strengthen their enamel.
Watching for Milestones
The dentist will review your child’s chart and any new X-rays to identify any potential concerns, patterns, or developments that need attention. Children generally start getting their first set of teeth between 6 months and 6 years, and gradually lose them as their permanent teeth come in throughout their teens (with wisdom teeth appearing even later). Since each child is unique, the dentist will track their progress closely and address any issues or delays that may arise.
Cost of a Routine Pediatric Teeth Cleaning and Exam in Wake Forest
Routine dental checkups for kids are highly preventive, much like adult cleanings, so most insurance plans cover them almost entirely. With insurance, your out-of-pocket cost may range from $0 to $50 (or more), and coverage is typically provided every 6 months. Without dental insurance, expect to pay anywhere from $120 to $300 or more, especially for an initial appointment or if it’s been a while since their last visit.
When determining the cost of your child’s dental treatment, we consider several factors:
- Their current oral health
- Any necessary new X-rays
- Fluoride treatment or sealants for new adult teeth
- The time required by our dental team to address their needs
- The equipment and supplies needed for their care
It’s important to note that no dentist can provide an exact quote over the phone. However, we’re happy to offer a personalized assessment and itemized quote upon request. Regular pediatric dental care is crucial—monitoring their mouth as they grow is the best way to prevent potentially painful and costly issues down the road.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically, we recommend bringing your child in every 6 months for a cleaning and checkup, just like adults. In some cases, more frequent visits every 3 months may be advised, but it’s best not to wait longer than a year between appointments.
If you’re concerned about your child’s oral health, don’t wait. It’s always best to schedule an appointment right away so we can catch and address any issues early on.
Since young children may not understand what level of discomfort is normal, they might not tell you when something is wrong. If your child is experiencing pain or sensitivity, watch for these signs:
- Frequently touching or holding their face or teeth
- Being defensive or fearful about anyone coming near their mouth
- Swelling, redness, or changes in colour around their gums, cheeks, or teeth
- Running a fever, which can sometimes indicate a toothache
- Avoiding hot or cold foods and drinks
- Staying away from chewy or hard foods like raw vegetables or meat
- Chewing only on one side of their mouth
- Children often become irritable or appear down when dealing with dental pain
If you notice any of these behaviours, it’s a good idea to schedule a dental checkup
A typical appointment lasts about 30 minutes to an hour. It might take longer if your child has many questions or needs extra time to feel comfortable, especially if they are anxious and need gentle reassurance.
- Begin cleaning your child’s teeth as soon as they emerge, using approved, age-appropriate toothpaste and brushes
- Help your child learn about oral care and build a habit of brushing twice daily
- Fluoride treatments are highly beneficial—ask your dentist about these and consider using fluoride-containing products and drinking water at home
- Limit sugary or acidic foods and drinks like juice and soda, as they can contribute to tooth decay
- Avoid sweet treats or snacks before bedtime to protect their teeth
- Set a good example by brushing and flossing your own teeth twice a day
Your child should wait at least 30 minutes before eating or drinking after a fluoride treatment. This waiting period allows the fluoride to be fully effective before being washed away by food or drink.
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