Extra Gentle Care For Their Gums And Teeth
Just like adults, children need regular dental visits to maintain good oral health and support healthy growth. Professional teeth cleanings and exams are essential for removing plaque, tartar, and bacteria that can cause cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. These cleanings also play a crucial role in ensuring the proper development of adult teeth. Our child-friendly hygienists are skilled at reaching areas that kids often miss during daily brushing and flossing.
After a thorough cleaning, the hygienist and dentist will assess your child’s oral health, checking for any issues, monitoring the progress of baby teeth, and ensuring that adult teeth are coming in correctly. We’ll also provide personalised guidance on how to maintain your child’s oral health at home.
- Keep teeth strong and healthy: Protecting both baby teeth and emerging adult teeth.
- Prevent gum disease: Supporting overall oral health and preventing future issues.
- Monitor growth and development: Tracking changes and milestones as they grow.
- Build positive dental experiences: Helping children feel comfortable and confident at the dentist.
- Encourage good oral habits: Teaching children to take responsibility for their oral health.
- Establish lifelong dental routines: Setting the foundation for healthy habits that last a lifetime.
Routine pediatric cleanings and exams help to:
What Happens During Children’s Teeth Cleaning?
Our team creates a friendly, relaxed environment to make your child feel comfortable and encourage them to ask questions about their teeth and oral health. Before the cleaning begins, we review their dental history to identify any potential concerns. If necessary, we may take X-rays and discuss preventative options such as fluoride treatments or sealants for developing adult teeth.
Gum Health
Healthy gums are vital for supporting your child’s teeth and shaping their smile, especially as permanent teeth begin to emerge. During the exam, we closely inspect the soft tissues in your child’s mouth to check for any signs of gum disease or inflammation. We also provide age-appropriate guidance on flossing and gum care to maintain healthy gums at home.
Plaque & Tartar Removal
Plaque is a sticky film that naturally forms on teeth as soon as they appear. If not cleaned regularly, it hardens into tartar, which can lead to cavities and gum disease. Tartar is especially challenging to remove from between teeth and along the gumline. Our hygienists use specialised tools to gently and thoroughly remove plaque and tartar from these hard-to-reach areas. After cleaning, we may recommend a fluoride treatment to strengthen your child’s enamel and protect against decay.
Watching for milestones
We carefully review your child’s dental records and any recent X-rays to monitor their oral development. Children typically begin teething around six months and continue to grow and lose baby teeth until about six years old. Permanent teeth emerge throughout childhood and into the teenage years, with wisdom teeth appearing even later. Since every child’s development is unique, the dentist keeps a close watch on their progress, addressing any concerns or potential issues early on.
Cost of a routine pediatric teeth cleaning and exam in St. Thomas
Regular dental checkups for children are essential for preventing dental issues and supporting healthy development. Most insurance plans cover these routine visits, typically every six months, with out-of-pocket costs ranging from $0 to $50 or more, depending on your coverage. For families without dental insurance, the cost usually ranges from $120 to $300 or more, especially for first-time visits or if it’s been a while since the last checkup.
- Current oral health: The overall condition of your child’s teeth and gums.
- X-rays: New X-rays may be needed to assess growth and development.
- Fluoride treatments or sealants: These preventative measures protect new adult teeth from decay.
- Appointment duration: Time required to address your child’s specific needs comfortably.
- Specialised equipment and supplies: Necessary tools and materials to ensure thorough care.
Factors affecting the cost of pediatric dental visits:
Regular pediatric dental checkups are vital for monitoring changes as your child’s mouth grows and develops. This proactive approach helps prevent painful and costly complications down the road.
Since every child’s dental needs are unique, it’s not possible to provide an exact quote over the phone. For personalised information or a detailed estimate, feel free to contact us, and we’ll be happy to assist you.
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
We generally recommend scheduling teeth cleanings and checkups every six months, similar to adults. However, some children may need more frequent visits, such as every three months, depending on their oral health needs. It’s best not to wait longer than a year between cleanings.
If you’re concerned about your child’s teeth or oral health, don’t wait—schedule an appointment right away. Addressing any issues early helps prevent minor concerns from becoming more serious problems.
Children may not always express discomfort clearly, so watch for signs like:
- Touching or holding their face and mouth frequently.
- Being defensive or anxious when someone approaches their face.
- Swelling, redness, or discolouration of the gums, cheeks, or teeth.
- Fever that may accompany a toothache.
- Avoiding hot or cold foods and drinks.
- Refusing chewy or hard foods like raw vegetables or meat.
- Chewing on only one side of their mouth.
- Increased irritability or moodiness.
A children’s teeth cleaning typically lasts between 30 minutes to an hour. The time may vary depending on the child’s comfort level, any questions they may have, and the need for gentle reassurance, especially for anxious children.
- Start early: Begin cleaning your child’s teeth as soon as they appear using child-friendly, age-appropriate toothpaste and brushes.
- Teach good habits: Educate them on oral hygiene and encourage brushing twice daily.
- Fluoride treatments: Consider fluoride treatments at the dentist and use fluoridated products and water at home.
- Limit sugary foods and drinks: Reduce intake of sugary and acidic snacks and drinks to prevent cavities.
- Avoid bedtime sweets: Avoid sugary snacks before bedtime, as saliva production decreases during sleep.
- Set an example: Demonstrate good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly yourself.
After a fluoride treatment, wait at least 30 minutes before allowing your child to eat or drink. This waiting period ensures that the fluoride has enough time to strengthen the enamel before being washed away.
Help prevent cavities by ensuring your child brushes twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, limits sugary snacks and drinks, and attends regular dental checkups and cleanings
To help your child feel at ease, encourage them to ask questions and share any concerns. Bringing along a favourite toy or comfort item can also provide reassurance and make the experience more positive.
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