Extra Gentle Care for Their Gums and Teeth
Just like adults, children need regular dental visits to keep their smiles healthy. Routine cleanings and check-ups are crucial for maintaining their oral health and supporting proper development. Professional cleanings remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria that can lead to decay, gum disease, or bad breath and might impact the growth of their adult teeth. Our kid-friendly hygienists excel at reaching areas that can be challenging for kids to clean thoroughly on their own, ensuring a comprehensive approach to their dental care.
After a thorough cleaning, we’ll closely check your child’s overall oral health. This includes looking at their baby teeth as they come in or fall out, and keeping an eye on how their adult teeth are emerging. We’ll point out any potential issues and offer practical advice on what to monitor at home. Our goal is to provide you with personalized tips and tricks to support your child’s oral care routine and ensure their smile stays healthy and bright.
- Maintain Strong Teeth: Ensure both baby and new adult teeth stay healthy and robust.
- Prevent Issues: Guard against gum disease and keep their overall oral health in check.
- Track Development: Monitor their dental progress through various growth stages.
- Build Comfort: Foster a positive relationship with the dentist to ease any dental anxieties.
- Encourage Independence: Empower kids to care for their own oral health at home.
- Promote Lifelong Habits: Instill good habits that will benefit them throughout their lives.
Routine pediatric teeth cleanings and exams help:
What happens during children’s teeth cleaning?
Before the appointment, we review your child’s dental history to pinpoint any problem areas or patterns. We might take X-rays or discuss options like fluoride treatments and sealants for their new adult teeth. Our team will talk to your child in a friendly, engaging manner to make them feel at ease, asking about their feelings towards their teeth and any questions they might have. This approach ensures they are comfortable and informed throughout their visit.
Gum Health
Gums play a crucial role in supporting your child’s teeth and shaping their smile, yet they often don’t get the attention they deserve. Healthy gums are particularly important as permanent teeth emerge, and children can be just as prone to gum inflammation as adults. During their visit, we thoroughly examine their gums and provide age-appropriate guidance on flossing and maintaining gum health at home. This ensures their gums stay healthy and supportive as their teeth continue to develop.
Plaque & Tartar Removal
Plaque begins forming on teeth as soon as they emerge, and if it isn’t regularly cleaned, it can harden into tartar. This buildup can lead to tooth decay and is often difficult to remove from between teeth and along the gumline. Our hygienists use specialized tools and techniques to gently scale away plaque and tartar from these challenging areas. After a thorough cleaning, we might suggest a fluoride treatment to help strengthen and protect your child’s enamel.
Watching for Milestones
During your child’s visit, the dentist will review their chart and any recent X-rays to focus on any emerging issues, patterns, or developments. Children typically start growing their first set of teeth between 6 months and 6 years old. They will lose their baby teeth gradually and replace them with permanent adult teeth, a process that continues into their teenage years and even into adulthood for wisdom teeth. Since each child’s dental growth varies, the dentist will keep a close eye on their progress and address any concerns or irregularities that may arise.
Cost of a Routine Pediatric Teeth Cleaning and Exam in Newcastle
Routine pediatric teeth cleanings and exams are a proactive way to prevent dental issues, and most insurance plans offer substantial coverage for these services. Typically, with insurance, you might only pay between $0 and $50 per visit, with coverage generally provided every six months, though this can vary. If you don’t have dental insurance, the cost for a pediatric cleaning and exam generally ranges from $120 to $300 or more, particularly for first visits or if it’s been a while since the last appointment.
- Their current oral health status.
- Any new X-rays that may be needed.
- Fluoride treatments or sealants for emerging adult teeth.
- The time required by the dental team to address their specific needs.
- The equipment and supplies necessary for their care.
When determining the final cost of their treatment, several key factors are considered:
These elements help ensure that the treatment plan is tailored to their needs and provides a comprehensive overview of the expected costs.
It’s important to note that no dentist can provide a precise quote over the phone. For a detailed, personalized estimate, we can offer an itemized quote upon request. Routine pediatric dental care is crucial for monitoring and supporting your child’s oral health as they grow. Regular check-ups help prevent expensive and uncomfortable issues by addressing changes in their mouth early 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
Children should ideally have their teeth cleaned and examined every 6 months. This routine schedule helps maintain their oral health and catch any issues early. In some cases, if a child has specific dental concerns or conditions, visits might be recommended every 3 months. It’s crucial to adhere to these recommendations and not delay visits beyond a year to prevent potential problems and ensure ongoing dental health.
If you’re concerned about your child’s teeth or oral health before their scheduled checkup, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. It’s important to address any issues as soon as they arise to prevent minor problems from becoming more serious. Early intervention can make a significant difference in their dental health, so feel free to contact us to arrange an appointment or get professional advice.
It can be challenging to determine if your child is experiencing dental pain or sensitivity, especially if they’re too young to articulate their discomfort. Keep an eye out for these signs:
- Excessive Touching: They might frequently touch or cup their face and teeth.
- Defensive Behavior: They may become defensive or hesitant about letting others near their face and mouth.
- Swelling or Redness: Look for any swelling, redness, or discoloration in their gums, cheeks, or teeth.
- Fever: Some children might develop a fever if they have a toothache.
- Food Avoidance: They could avoid hot and cold foods, or chewy and hard items like raw vegetables and meat.
- One-Sided Chewing: They may only chew on one side of their mouth to avoid pain.
- Irritability: Increased irritability or a generally glum mood can also be a sign of dental discomfort.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s best to have a dentist evaluate your child to address any potential issues promptly.
Typically, a children’s teeth cleaning appointment lasts between 30 minutes to an hour. The duration may vary based on factors such as the child’s comfort level, any questions they might have, and how much reassurance they need. For children who are anxious or need extra attention, the appointment might take a bit longer to ensure they feel comfortable and well-cared-for.
- Start Early: Begin cleaning your child’s teeth as soon as they come in, using age-appropriate toothpaste and brushes.
- Teach Oral Hygiene: Educate your child about their mouth and the importance of brushing their teeth twice a day.
- Use Fluoride: Take advantage of fluoride treatments at the dentist and use fluoridated toothpaste and drinking water at home.
- Limit Sugary Foods: Reduce their intake of sugary and acidic foods and drinks, like juice and soda, and avoid sweet snacks before bed.
- Be a Role Model: Brush and floss your own teeth regularly to set a good example for your child.
To get the most benefit from fluoride treatment, your child should wait at least 30 minutes before eating or drinking. This allows the fluoride to fully absorb and strengthen their teeth before it’s potentially washed away by food or beverages.
What Our Patients Are Saying
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Kids Love Newcastle Dental
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Noticeably Whiter Teeth
