Extra Gentle Care for Their Gums and Teeth
It’s important for children to visit the dentist as regularly as adults. Routine teeth cleanings and check-ups are crucial for maintaining their oral health and supporting healthy growth. Cleaning their teeth removes plaque, tartar, and bacteria that can cause decay, gum disease, bad breath, and potentially affect the development of their adult teeth. A kid-friendly hygienist can reach areas that might be tough for children to clean with regular brushing and flossing at home.
After a thorough cleaning, it’s an ideal time for the hygienist and dentist to examine their overall oral health, check for any problem areas, and monitor the progression of baby teeth coming in or falling out, as well as adult teeth settling into place. We’ll provide guidance on what to look out for and offer personalized tips for oral care at home based on your child’s needs.
- Ensure their baby teeth and emerging adult teeth remain strong and healthy.
- Prevent gum disease and support overall oral health.
- Track their progress through key developmental milestones.
- Build a positive, trusting relationship with the dentist.
- Encourage children to take responsibility for their oral health at home.
- Foster lasting habits for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.
Routine pediatric teeth cleanings and exams help:
What Happens During Children’s Teeth Cleaning?
Before your child’s check-up, we carefully review their chart and history to pinpoint any potential concerns or patterns. If needed, we may take X-rays or discuss options like fluoride treatments or sealants for their new adult teeth. To ensure your child feels comfortable, we’ll talk to them in a friendly, kid-focused way, asking about how they feel about their teeth and if they have any questions or concerns they’d like to share.
Gum Health
Healthy gums are an essential part of your child’s smile, especially as their permanent teeth start to come in. Children are just as vulnerable to gum disease as adults, making gum care a key focus. We’ll closely examine the soft tissues in their mouth, checking for any signs of inflammation, and provide practical, age-appropriate tips for flossing and keeping their gums healthy at home.
Plaque & Tartar Removal
Plaque is a sticky film that begins to accumulate on teeth as soon as they emerge, and if it’s not removed regularly, it can harden into tartar. Both plaque and tartar can lead to tooth decay and are often difficult to clean from the spaces between teeth and along the gumline. A hygienist will use specialised tools to gently remove plaque and tartar, leaving their teeth clean and healthy. To help protect their teeth further, we may recommend a fluoride treatment to strengthen their enamel.
Watching for Milestones
Your child’s dentist will review their chart and any new X-rays, looking for potential problem areas, unusual patterns, or developmental milestones to monitor. Typically, children’s first teeth appear between 6 months and 6 years old. Over time, baby teeth will fall out, and permanent adult teeth will grow in, continuing into the teenage years (and later for wisdom teeth). Every child’s development is unique, so we carefully track their progress and address any concerns or delays as they arise.
Cost of a Routine Pediatric Teeth Cleaning and Exam in Ottawa
Similar to adult teeth cleanings and exams, routine check-ups for children are an excellent way to prevent dental problems, and most insurance providers cover these visits almost entirely on a regular basis. With typical insurance, you can expect to pay anywhere from $0 to $50 (or possibly more). Insurance generally covers routine exams every 6 months, unless special circumstances apply. For those without dental insurance, the cost usually ranges from $120 to $300 or more, especially for the first appointment or if it has been a long time since their last visit.
- Their current oral health status.
- Any new X-rays that may be required.
- Fluoride treatments or sealants for emerging adult teeth.
- The amount of time needed by the dental team to address their specific needs.
- The equipment and materials necessary to complete the treatment.
To determine the final cost of your child’s treatment, we take into account several important factors:
Please note, it’s difficult for a dentist to provide an exact quote over the phone. If you would like a more personalized or itemized quote, we’d be happy to provide one upon request. We can’t emphasise enough how crucial routine pediatric dental care is. Keeping track of the changes happening in your child’s mouth as they grow is the most effective way to prevent expensive and painful complications 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
For most children, we recommend a routine check-up and teeth cleaning every 6 months, similar to adults, unless the dentist suggests a different schedule. Some families prefer more frequent visits, such as every 3 months, but it’s important not to wait longer than a year between visits.
If you’re concerned about your child’s teeth or oral health, don’t wait until their next scheduled visit. It’s best to bring them in sooner to address any potential issues before they become more serious.
It can be hard for young children to express dental pain, so watch for signs that may indicate discomfort. Your child might be experiencing pain or sensitivity if you notice:
- Touching their face or teeth more than usual.
- Becoming overly protective or nervous about having their teeth or face touched.
- Redness, swelling, or discolouration in their gums, cheeks, or teeth.
- Running a fever, which can be a symptom of a toothache.
- Avoiding hot or cold foods and drinks.
- Steering clear of chewy or hard foods like raw vegetables and meat.
- Only chewing on one side of their mouth.
- Becoming unusually irritable or moody due to pain.
Typically, a routine teeth cleaning appointment lasts between 30 minutes and an hour. However, appointments may take a bit longer if your child has lots of questions or if they need extra reassurance, especially if they are feeling nervous.
- Start brushing your child’s teeth as soon as their first tooth comes in, using age-appropriate toothpaste and a soft brush.
- Teach them the importance of oral hygiene by helping them develop the habit of brushing twice a day.
- Fluoride treatments are highly beneficial for kids, so ask your dentist about fluoride options during visits. You can also use fluoride toothpaste and drink fluoridated water at home.
- Limit sugary or acidic foods and drinks like juice and soda, as they can cause tooth decay.
- Try to avoid giving sweet snacks or treats right before bed.
- Set a great example by brushing and flossing your own teeth daily!
After a fluoride treatment, it’s important to wait at least 30 minutes before your child eats or drinks. This gives the fluoride time to fully absorb and strengthen their enamel before being washed away by food or liquids.
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