Extra Gentle Care for Children’s Gums and Teeth
Children should see the dentist just as regularly as adults. Routine cleanings and exams are an important part of helping you protect your child’s oral health and support healthy development as they grow. During a professional cleaning, we remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria that can lead to cavities, gum disease, and persistent bad breath. This also helps protect how your child’s adult teeth come in. Our hygienists are experienced with children, so we’re able to gently clean areas that are often missed with regular brushing and flossing at home.
After the cleaning, we take time to carefully examine your child’s mouth. We look for any early signs of concern, monitor baby teeth as they erupt or fall out, and check how the adult teeth are developing and positioning themselves. We’ll walk you through everything we see and let you know if there’s anything to watch for. You’ll also get simple, practical tips you can use at home to help keep your child’s smile healthy between visits.
Why Regular Dental Cleanings and Check-Ups Matter for Children
- Maintain the health of both baby teeth and developing adult teeth.
- Help prevent gum disease while supporting and maintaining your child’s overall oral health.
- Monitor growth, development, and important dental milestones.
- Create positive, comfortable dental experiences that help reduce fear or anxiety.
- Encourage children to take an active role in caring for their teeth at home.
- Build lifelong habits that support strong oral health into adulthood.
What to Expect During Your Child’s Dental Cleaning
Before the appointment begins, we review your child’s chart and dental history so we can look out for any problem areas or patterns that may need attention. If needed, we may take X-rays or discuss preventive options such as fluoride treatment or sealants for newly erupted adult teeth. We also take time to speak with your child in a friendly, age-appropriate way so they feel comfortable, and we encourage them to share how their teeth feel or ask any questions they may have.
Gum Health
Gums play an important role in supporting your child’s teeth and shaping their smile. Healthy gums are especially important while permanent teeth are coming in. Children can be just as prone to gum inflammation as adults, so we carefully examine the soft tissues and provide simple, age-appropriate guidance for brushing and flossing at home.
Plaque and Tartar Removal
Plaque begins to form as soon as teeth appear. If it isn’t removed regularly, it can harden into tartar, which increases the risk of decay and gum issues, especially around the gumline and between teeth. During the cleaning, our hygienist gently removes plaque and tartar using specialized tools designed to reach those difficult areas. Once the teeth are thoroughly cleaned, a fluoride treatment may be recommended to help strengthen enamel.
Monitoring Growth and Milestones
We closely monitor your child’s dental development, reviewing their records and any recent X-rays to identify potential issues or trends. Children typically begin teething around six months and continue to grow and lose baby teeth until about six years old, eventually transitioning to permanent teeth into their teenage years. Every child develops at their own pace, so we carefully track their progress and address any concerns or delays as they arise. With comprehensive care that includes gum health education, thorough cleaning, and ongoing developmental monitoring, we help support a bright, healthy smile as your child grows.
Cost of a routine pediatric teeth cleaning and exam in Barrhaven
Children’s regular dental check-ups are an important preventive step, and most insurance plans recognize this by covering them on a routine basis. Depending on your benefits, you may pay anywhere from $0 to $50 or more out-of-pocket. In most cases, coverage is provided every six months, unless otherwise specified by the plan. For families without insurance, the cost typically ranges from $120 to $300+, especially for initial visits or when returning after a long gap.
When we determine the actual cost of treatment, we look at a few important factors:
- Their current oral health.
- Whether new X-rays are required.
- If fluoride treatments or sealants are recommended for newly erupting adult teeth.
- The amount of time needed to provide thorough and comfortable care for your child.
- The equipment and supplies required to ensure safe, complete treatment tailored to their needs.
It’s important to note that no dentist can provide an exact quote over the phone. If you’re looking for more detailed information or an itemized estimate, we’d be happy to prepare one for you upon request. We also want to emphasize how important routine pediatric dental care is. Keeping a close eye on the changes in your child’s mouth as they grow is one of the best ways to prevent more serious, painful, and costly dental concerns 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
- Excessive touching or cupping of their face and teeth.
- 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.
- Children often become irritable and glum if they’re experiencing dental pain.
- Start cleaning your child’s teeth as soon as they come in. Use approved, child friendly and age-appropriate toothpaste and brushes.
- Teach your child about their mouths and how to take care of them. Get them in the habit of brushing their own teeth twice a day.
- Children benefit greatly from fluoride treatments. You can request fluoride treatment at the dentist and use fluorinated products and drinking water at home.
- Sugary or acidic foods and drinks like juice and pop promote tooth decay and should be enjoyed in moderation.
- Especially avoid sweet treats and snacks before bed.
- Be a good example, brush your own teeth twice a day and floss!
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