Extra Gentle Care for Their Gums and Teeth
Children should visit the dentist just as often as adults. Routine teeth cleaning and examinations are two of the most important steps you can take to preserve their oral health and promote healthy development. Cleaning their teeth removes plaque, tartar, and bacteria that can cause decay, gum disease, chronic bad breath, and may affect how their adult teeth come in. A kid friendly hygienist can reach places that may be difficult for kids to clean with routine brushing and flossing at home.
After a thorough cleaning, it’s the perfect time for the hygienist and dentist to examine your child’s overall oral health, problem areas, baby teeth that may be coming in or falling out, and adult teeth that are finding their permanent place. We’ll provide tips and tricks for oral care at home tailored to your child’s specific needs.
- Keep their baby teeth and new adult teeth as healthy and strong as possible.
- Prevent gum disease and maintain overall oral health.
- Monitor their progress and milestones through many changes.
- Establish a positive relationship with the dentist.
- Empower kids to take care of their own oral health at home.
- Establish good habits that will last a lifetime.
Routine Pediatric Teeth Cleanings and Exams Help:
What Happens During Children’s Teeth Cleaning?
Before their check up, we will review your child’s chart and history to identify any problem areas or patterns. We may take prescribed X rays or discuss fluoride treatment or sealants for new adult teeth. We’ll speak to your child in a friendly way to make them feel comfortable and ask them how they feel about their teeth and mouth. We’ll also answer any questions they have.
Gum Health
Often under appreciated, gums support your child’s teeth and frame their smile. Good gum health is especially important when permanent teeth are coming in, and children are just as susceptible to gum diseases as adults. We will pay special attention to the soft tissues of their mouth and offer age appropriate advice for flossing and gum care at home.
Plaque & Tartar Removal
Plaque is a soft, sticky film that starts accumulating on teeth as soon as they come in. If not cleaned away, plaque hardens into tartar deposits, which can lead to tooth decay and are difficult to remove between teeth and at the gumline. A hygienist has the tools and expertise to gently remove plaque and tartar from hard to reach places. After that, we may recommend fluoride treatment to strengthen your child’s enamel.
Watching for Milestones
The dentist will review your child’s chart and any new X rays to focus on any problem areas, patterns, or new developments. Children typically get their first set of teeth between 6 months and 6 years. They will gradually lose their baby teeth and get permanent adult teeth all the way into their teens (and even later for wisdom teeth!). Every child is different, and the dentist will monitor their progress and address any concerns or delays they spot.
Cost of a Routine Pediatric Teeth Cleaning and Exam in North York
Like adult teeth cleanings and exams, routine checkups for kids are a great way to prevent dental issues. Most insurance companies cover these appointments, so you may only pay between $0 and $50 (or more) out of pocket. Insurance typically covers these visits every 6 months unless special circumstances arise. Without insurance, you can expect to pay between $120 and $300 or more, especially for their first appointment or after a long gap between visits.
- Your child’s current oral health.
- Any new X rays required.
- Fluoride treatment or sealants for new adult teeth.
- The time the dental team spends addressing your child’s needs.
- The equipment and supplies required for their treatment.
When determining the cost of treatment, we consider:
No Dentist in North York can give an exact quote over the phone, but we are happy to provide a detailed and itemized quote upon request after a consultation. Routine pediatric dental care is essential to monitor the changes happening in your child’s mouth and prevent costly and painful complications in the future.
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
Just like adults, we recommend children get their teeth cleaned and have a check up every 6 months unless otherwise specified by the dentist. Some patients may need checkups every 3 months. We recommend not waiting longer than a year between appointments.
Don’t wait. If you have any concerns about your child’s teeth or oral health, it’s best to come in right away so we can address any issues while they’re still minor.
Young children don’t always have a frame of reference for discomfort. Some kids try to cope and won’t speak up. If you notice the following, your child might be experiencing dental pain or sensitivity:
- Excessive touching or cupping of their face and teeth.
- Being defensive or scared to let others near their face and teeth.
- Swelling, redness, or discolouration of the gums, cheeks, and teeth.
- Some children run a fever if they have a toothache.
- Avoiding hot and cold foods and drinks.
- Avoiding chewy or hard foods like raw veggies and chunks of meat.
- Only chewing on one side of their mouth.
- Becoming irritable or glum.
Most appointments last between thirty minutes and an hour. Dental appointments may take longer if children have lots of questions or if they need reassurance and extra patience.
Start cleaning your child’s teeth as soon as they come in. Use child friendly, age appropriate toothpaste and brushes. Teach your child how to care for their mouth and get them into the habit of brushing their teeth twice a day. Children benefit from fluoride treatments, which you can request at the dentist, and by using fluoridated products at home. Limit sugary or acidic foods and drinks like juice and soda, and avoid sweet treats before bedtime. Be a good role model, brush and floss your teeth twice a day!
After a fluoride treatment, your child should wait at least 30 minutes before eating or drinking. Waiting this time allows the fluoride to fully absorb and strengthen their enamel before it is washed away by food or drink.
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