Extra Gentle Care for Their Gums and Teeth
Children need regular dental visits just like adults, with cleanings and exams being vital to preserving oral health and supporting healthy growth. These cleanings remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria that can cause decay, gum disease, and bad breath, and may influence how their adult teeth develop. A kid-friendly hygienist can reach those tricky spots that brushing and flossing at home may miss, ensuring a more thorough clean.
After a thorough cleaning, the hygienist and dentist will carefully assess your child’s overall oral health, including any problem areas, baby teeth coming in or falling out, and adult teeth finding their place. We’ll provide guidance on what to keep an eye on and offer tailored tips for at-home oral care to meet your child’s specific needs.
Routine pediatric teeth cleanings and exams help:
- Keep baby and adult teeth as healthy and strong as possible.
- Prevent gum disease and support overall oral health.
- Track your child’s dental development and milestones.
- Foster a positive relationship with the dentist.
- Encourage kids to take care of their oral health at home.
- Promote lifelong healthy dental habits.
What Happens During Children’s Teeth Cleaning?
Before their check-up, we’ll review your child’s chart and history to spot any problem areas or patterns. Depending on their needs, we may take X-rays or discuss fluoride treatments or sealants for new adult teeth. Our team will communicate with your child in a friendly, approachable way to ensure they feel at ease, encouraging them to share any thoughts or questions they may have about their teeth or oral health.
Gum Health
Gums play a vital role in supporting your child’s teeth and shaping their smile. Good gum health is especially important as permanent teeth emerge, and children are just as prone to gum diseases as adults. During their visit, we’ll carefully examine the soft tissues of their mouth and provide age-appropriate tips for flossing and maintaining healthy gums at home.
Plaque & Tartar Removal
Plaque is a soft, sticky film that begins to form on teeth as soon as they emerge. If it isn’t regularly cleaned away, it can harden into tartar, which can lead to tooth decay and be tough to remove, especially between teeth and around the gumline. A hygienist uses special tools and techniques to gently scale away these stubborn deposits. Once the plaque and tartar are cleared, we may recommend a fluoride treatment to strengthen your child’s enamel.
Watching for Milestones
The dentist will review your child’s chart and any new X-rays, focusing on any problem areas, patterns, or new developments. Typically, children get their first set of teeth between 6 months and 6 years, gradually losing baby teeth as their permanent teeth come in—sometimes well into their teens for wisdom teeth. Since every child’s dental development is unique, the dentist will closely track their progress and address any concerns or delays as they arise.
Cost of a Routine Pediatric Teeth Cleaning and Exam in Calgary
Like adult cleanings, regular dental checkups for kids are crucial for preventing dental problems, which is why most insurance companies cover them almost entirely. With insurance, you can expect to pay between $0 to $50 or more, with coverage typically provided every 6 months. If you don’t have dental insurance, the cost ranges from $120 to $300 or more, especially for an initial appointment or if it’s been a while since the last visit.
When assessing the cost of your child’s dental treatment, we consider several key factors:
- Their current oral health status.
- Any new X-rays that might be necessary.
- Whether a fluoride treatment or sealants for new adult teeth are recommended.
- The time needed by our dental team to address their specific needs.
- The equipment and supplies required to provide complete care.
While it’s not possible to give an exact quote over the phone, we can provide a personalized estimate or itemized quote upon request. Routine dental care is key to your child’s oral health, allowing us to closely monitor their development and catch any issues early to prevent more serious and costly problems later on.
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 teeth cleaning and checkup, similar to adults, unless your dentist suggests a different schedule. Some patients prefer to visit every 3 months, but we strongly advise against waiting longer than a year between appointments.
Don’t wait—if you’re concerned about your child’s teeth or oral health, it’s best to book an appointment right away. Addressing issues early helps to catch and treat any problems while they’re still minor.
Young children may not know how to express dental discomfort, and some may try to cope without mentioning it. Signs that your child might be experiencing dental pain or sensitivity include:
- Frequently touching or cupping their face and teeth.
- Being defensive or anxious about anyone approaching their mouth.
- Swelling, redness, or discolouration of the gums, cheeks, or teeth.
- Developing a fever, which can sometimes indicate a toothache.
- Avoiding hot or cold foods and drinks.
- Steering clear of chewy or hard foods like raw vegetables or chunks of meat.
- Chewing primarily on one side of the mouth.
- Showing irritability or sadness without a clear reason.
These behaviours might point to dental discomfort, so it’s best to schedule a visit if you notice any of them.
A typical teeth cleaning for children takes about 30 minutes to an hour. However, appointments may run longer if your child has many questions or if they are anxious and need extra reassurance and gentle care.
- Start cleaning their teeth as soon as they come in, using age-appropriate toothpaste and brushes.
- Teach them about their oral health and encourage brushing twice daily.
- Request fluoride treatments at the dentist and use fluoride-based products and water at home.
- Limit sugary or acidic foods and drinks, such as juice and soda.
- Avoid sweet snacks, especially before bed.
- Set a positive example by brushing and flossing your own teeth regularly.
It’s best for your child to wait at least 30 minutes after receiving a fluoride treatment before eating or drinking. This ensures the fluoride has time to properly absorb and do its job without being washed away too soon.
