Extra Gentle Care for Their Gums and Teeth
Just like adults, children need routine dental visits to maintain a healthy smile. Regular teeth cleanings and exams are essential for preserving their oral health and ensuring proper development. Professional cleanings effectively remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria that can contribute to tooth decay, gum disease, and persistent bad breath—factors that may also impact how their adult teeth emerge. A kid-friendly hygienist can reach areas that are difficult for children to clean thoroughly with daily brushing and flossing at home. Following a detailed cleaning, the hygienist and dentist will carefully assess your child’s overall oral health, check for any problem areas, and monitor the transition of baby teeth and the emergence of adult teeth. We’ll also provide personalized guidance on what to look out for and share tailored tips to support your child’s dental care routine at home.
- Keep baby teeth and new adult teeth strong and healthy.
- Prevent gum disease and support long-term oral health.
- Track developmental milestones and detect potential issues early.
- Build a positive and stress-free relationship with the dentist.
- Encourage kids to take an active role in their oral hygiene.
- Establish lifelong healthy habits for a confident smile.
Routine Pediatric Teeth Cleanings and Exams Help:
What Happens During Children’s Teeth Cleaning?
Before your child’s check-up, we’ll review their dental history to identify any potential concerns or patterns. If necessary, we may take X-rays, discuss fluoride treatments, or consider sealants to protect emerging adult teeth. To ensure a positive experience, we communicate in a kid-friendly manner, helping your child feel comfortable while encouraging them to share any thoughts or concerns about their teeth and mouth.
Gum Health
Gums play a vital role in supporting teeth and shaping a healthy smile. Just like adults, children are susceptible to gum inflammation and disease, especially as their permanent teeth start coming in. Our team will carefully examine the soft tissues of their mouth and provide age-appropriate guidance on flossing and maintaining healthy gums at home.
Plaque & Tartar Removal
Plaque, a sticky bacterial film, starts forming on teeth as soon as they emerge. If left untreated, it hardens into tartar, which can lead to cavities and gum disease—especially in hard-to-reach areas between teeth and along the gumline. A professional cleaning ensures the gentle removal of stubborn plaque and tartar buildup. Afterward, we may recommend a fluoride treatment to help strengthen enamel and protect against decay.
Watching for Milestones
Using your child’s chart and any recent X-rays, the dentist will assess their dental development, monitor for concerns, and track key milestones. Children typically start getting their first teeth between 6 months and 6 years old, gradually losing their baby teeth and welcoming permanent adult teeth well into their teens. Since every child develops differently, we carefully monitor their progress and address any concerns to ensure a healthy transition from baby teeth to adult teeth.
Cost of a Routine Pediatric Teeth Cleaning and Exam in Boulder
Just like adult dental checkups, routine cleanings and exams for kids are an essential step in preventing dental issues before they become serious. Because of their importance, most insurance providers cover these visits almost entirely. With standard dental insurance, you can expect to pay anywhere from $0 to $50 (or more), depending on your plan. Most insurers cover these appointments every six months, except in special cases.
For families without dental insurance, the cost of a routine pediatric cleaning and exam typically ranges from $120 to $300 or more, particularly for a child’s first visit or if it has been a long time since their last appointment.
- Their current oral health and any existing concerns.
- The need for new X-rays to assess dental development.
- Whether fluoride treatment or sealants are recommended for new adult teeth.
- The time required by the dental team to address their specific needs.
- The equipment and supplies necessary to provide comprehensive care.
What Determines the Cost of Treatment? The exact cost of your child’s visit depends on several factors, including:
Please note that no dentist can provide an exact quote over the phone. If you’d like a personalized estimate or a detailed breakdown of potential costs, we’re happy to provide one upon request.
Routine pediatric dental care is one of the best investments you can make in your child’s long-term oral health. Regular checkups help track their dental development, prevent serious issues, and minimize the risk of costly or 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, children should have their teeth cleaned and checked every six months unless otherwise advised by their dentist. Some families opt for more frequent visits, such as every three months, for additional monitoring and preventive care. However, we strongly recommend not waiting longer than a year between checkups to ensure your child’s oral health remains on track.
If you have concerns about your child’s teeth or oral health, don’t wait for the next scheduled appointment. It’s always best to bring them in as soon as possible so we can address any potential issues early before they become more serious.
Since young children don’t always understand or communicate pain the way adults do, it’s important to watch for signs that they may be experiencing discomfort. If your child frequently touches or cups their face, appears hesitant or defensive when others go near their mouth, or shows signs of swelling, redness, or discoloration of the gums, cheeks, or teeth, they may have dental pain. Some children even develop a fever when they have a toothache. Avoiding hot, cold, chewy, or hard foods, chewing on only one side of the mouth, or becoming unusually irritable and withdrawn can also indicate dental discomfort. If you notice any of these signs, scheduling a dental visit promptly is the best course of action.
A typical children’s teeth cleaning appointment lasts between thirty minutes to an hour. However, the duration may vary depending on the child’s comfort level, questions they may have, or if they need extra reassurance, especially for those who experience dental anxiety. Our team is always patient and gentle, ensuring that every child feels safe and at ease throughout their visit.
Starting oral hygiene early is key. As soon as your child’s first teeth come in, use an age-appropriate toothbrush and toothpaste to clean them daily. Teaching children about their mouths and instilling good habits—like brushing twice a day—helps set the foundation for lifelong dental health. Fluoride treatments, available both at the dentist’s office and in fluoridated water or toothpaste, provide additional protection against cavities. Limiting sugary and acidic foods, especially before bedtime, can also help prevent decay. Setting a good example by brushing and flossing regularly yourself reinforces these habits and encourages kids to take their own oral health seriously.
After a fluoride treatment, your child should wait at least 30 minutes before eating or drinking. This waiting period allows the fluoride to fully absorb and strengthen their enamel before it is washed away by food or beverages. Following this guideline helps maximize the treatment’s effectiveness in protecting your child’s teeth.
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