Gentle Dental Care for Kids' Healthy Gums and Teeth
Just like adults, it’s important for children to visit the dentist regularly. Regular dental cleanings and check-ups are essential steps in maintaining their oral health and promoting proper development. These cleanings remove plaque, tartar, and harmful bacteria that can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, persistent bad breath, and can even impact the alignment of their adult teeth. Our kid-friendly hygienists have the expertise to reach those hard-to-access areas that can’t be effectively reached through daily brushing and flossing at home.
Following a thorough cleaning, it’s the ideal time for our hygienists and dentists to closely examine your child’s overall oral health. This examination includes assessing any areas of concern, monitoring the eruption and loss of baby teeth, and ensuring the smooth transition of their permanent adult teeth. We will provide you with guidance on what to keep an eye on and offer personalized tips and tricks for at-home oral care that cater to your child’s specific needs.
Regular pediatric dental cleanings and check-ups serve several important purposes:
- Maintaining the health and strength of both baby teeth and emerging adult teeth.
- Preventing gum disease and upholding overall oral health.
- Tracking your child’s dental progress and developmental milestones.
- Establishing a positive rapport with the dentist.
- Empowering children to take responsibility for their oral health at home.
- Cultivating good oral care habits that will last a lifetime.
What Happens During Children’s Teeth Cleaning?
Prior to their appointment, we’ll carefully review their medical records and dental history to promptly pinpoint any areas of concern or detect any concerning trends. If necessary, we may recommend X-rays as prescribed or inquire about the possibility of fluoride treatment or sealants for their emerging adult teeth. Our approach with your child will be friendly and geared toward making them feel at ease. We’ll engage with them in a manner that is child-friendly, encouraging them to express their feelings about their teeth and mouth, and inviting any questions or thoughts they might want to share.
Gum health
Gums, while often overlooked, play a crucial role in supporting your child’s teeth and shaping their smile. Maintaining healthy gums is vital, especially as their permanent teeth emerge, as children are equally susceptible to gum diseases that can cause inflammation, just like adults. During their visit, we’ll pay close attention to the condition of the soft tissues in their mouth and offer age-appropriate guidance on flossing and gum care that they can easily follow at home.
Plaque & tartar removal
Plaque, a soft and adhesive film, begins to form on teeth as soon as they erupt. If not regularly removed, plaque can solidify into stubborn tartar deposits. Both plaque and tartar are culprits in tooth decay and can be particularly challenging to eliminate from the spaces between teeth and along the gumline. Our skilled hygienists possess the necessary tools and expertise to delicately remove these tenacious plaque and tartar deposits from those inaccessible areas. Once this is accomplished, we may suggest a fluoride treatment to fortify their enamel.
Watching for milestones
Upon your child’s visit, the dentist will carefully review their dental records, including any recent X-rays, with a keen focus on identifying problem areas, concerning trends, or any new developments that require monitoring. Children typically begin to acquire their first set of teeth between the ages of 6 months and 6 years. Over time, they will naturally shed their baby teeth and gradually transition to their permanent adult teeth, a process that continues through their teenage years and, in some cases, even later with the emergence of wisdom teeth. It’s important to note that every child follows a unique dental timeline. The dentist will closely track their dental progression and promptly address any concerns or potential delays that come to their attention.
Cost Of A Routine Pediatric Teeth Cleaning And Exam In San Diego
Just like with adult teeth cleanings and exams, routine checkups for kids are such a great way to prevent and avoid dental problems that most insurance companies will nearly completely cover them on a routine basis. With typical insurance, you might expect to pay as low as $0 to $50 (or more). Insurance companies typically provide coverage every 6 months except in special circumstances. If you are without dental insurance, you can expect to pay anywhere from $120 to $300 and up, especially for their first appointment or for the first appointment in a long time.
When we determine the actual cost of their treatment we refer to a few important factors:
- Their current oral health.
- New Xrays that might be required.
- Fluoride treatment or sealants for new adult teeth.
- The amount of time required by the dental team to meet their specific needs.
- The equipment and supplies that will be needed to serve all their needs.
Remember, no dentist can give you an exact quote over the phone. If you would like more personalized information or an itemized quote, we would be happy to provide you with one upon request. We can’t state enough how important it is to provide children with routine pediatric dental care. Monitoring all of the changes happening to their mouths as they grow and develop is the most effective way to prevent costly and painful complications.
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 discoloration 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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