Extra gentle care for their gums and teeth
Children should visit their dentist as often as adults. Routine teeth cleanings and exams are two of the most important steps to preserve oral health and encourage healthy development. Cleaning removes plaque, tartar, and bacteria that cause decay, gum disease, and bad breath. A kid friendly hygienist can reach areas that children find hard to clean with brushing and flossing at home.
After a thorough cleaning, the hygienist and dentist will examine your child’s overall oral health, including baby teeth coming in or falling out and adult teeth settling in. We will let you know what to watch for and share tips for home care tailored to your child’s needs.
- Keep baby teeth and new adult teeth healthy and strong
- Prevent gum disease and support overall oral health
- Monitor progress and milestones through changes
- Build a positive relationship with the dentist
- Empower kids to care for their own oral health
- Establish good habits that last a lifetime
Routine pediatric cleanings and exams help:
What happens during children’s teeth cleaning?
Before the checkup, we review your child’s chart and history to find any concerns or patterns. We may take X rays or discuss fluoride treatments or sealants for new adult teeth. We speak to your child in a friendly way to help them feel comfortable and encourage questions.
For gentle, expert pediatric dental care, trust your local Dentist in Allentown, PA to keep your child’s smile healthy and bright.
Gum health
Gums support teeth and frame a smile but are often overlooked. Healthy gums are crucial when adult teeth come in. Children can get gum diseases just like adults. We carefully examine the soft tissues and give age appropriate advice for flossing and gum care at home.
Plaque and tartar removal
Plaque is a sticky film that forms on teeth soon after they appear. If not cleaned, it hardens into tartar, which leads to decay and is hard to remove between teeth and at the gumline. A hygienist uses special tools to gently remove plaque and tartar from hard to reach places. Afterward, fluoride treatment may be recommended to strengthen enamel.
Watching for milestones
The dentist reviews charts and X rays to focus on problem areas and monitor development. Children get their first teeth between six months and six years. They gradually lose baby teeth and get adult teeth through their teens, and sometimes later with wisdom teeth. Each child is unique. The dentist tracks progress and addresses any concerns or delays.
Cost of routine pediatric teeth cleaning and exams in Allentown
Like adult cleanings, routine checkups for kids help prevent dental problems and are often mostly covered by insurance. You may pay as little as zero to fifty dollars out of pocket with insurance. Coverage is typically every six months unless special circumstances apply. Without insurance, expect to pay between one hundred twenty and three hundred dollars or more, especially for first or long overdue visits.
- Current oral health
- New X rays needed
- Fluoride or sealants for new adult teeth
- Time needed by the dental team
- Equipment and supplies used
Factors influencing cost include:
No dentist can provide an exact quote by phone. For personalized estimates, we are happy to provide an itemized quote upon request. Providing children with routine dental care is crucial to monitoring mouth changes and preventing costly, painful issues.
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
Like adults, children should get cleanings and checkups every six months unless the dentist advises otherwise. Some visit every three months. We recommend no longer than a year between visits.
Don’t wait. If you have concerns about your child’s oral health, come in right away to address problems while minor.
Young children may not understand or communicate discomfort. Signs include:
- Touching or holding their face or teeth often
- Being scared to let others near their mouth
- Swelling, redness, or discoloration in gums, cheeks, or teeth
- Fever from toothache
- Avoiding hot or cold foods and drinks
- Avoiding chewy or hard foods
- Chewing on one side only
Children may become irritable if in pain.
Most appointments last between thirty minutes and one hour. Longer visits may be needed for children with many questions or anxiety, requiring gentle patience and reassurance.
Start cleaning teeth as soon as they appear using approved, age appropriate toothpaste and brushes. Teach your child about oral care and encourage brushing twice daily. Fluoride treatments greatly help and can be requested at the dentist. Use fluoridated products and water at home. Limit sugary or acidic foods and drinks, especially before bed. Be a good role model by brushing and flossing your own teeth daily.
Wait at least thirty minutes after fluoride treatment before eating or drinking. This allows the treatment to fully work before being washed away.
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