Teeth Cleaning for Kids in Thornton
Children should visit their dentist as routinely as adults. Regular dental check-ups and teeth cleaning are two of the most critical steps you can take to preserve your child’s oral health and encourage healthy development. Routine teeth cleaning removes plaque, tartar, and bacteria that can cause decay, gum disease, and chronic bad breath, all of which can affect how their adult teeth come in. A kid-friendly hygienist is equipped to reach spaces that are difficult for children to access with regular brushing and flossing at home.
After a thorough cleaning, it’s the perfect opportunity for the hygienist and dentist to closely examine your child’s overall oral health. They will look for problem areas, assess baby teeth that may be coming in or falling out, and evaluate adult teeth that are finding their permanent home. We will provide insights on what to watch out for and share personalized tips and tricks for oral care at home that are tailored to your child’s specific needs.
- Maintain Strong Teeth: Keeping baby teeth and new adult teeth as healthy and strong as possible sets the foundation for a lifetime of oral health.
- Prevent Gum Disease: Regular cleanings help prevent gum disease and maintain overall oral health, reducing the risk of future dental problems.
- Monitor Progress: We monitor your child’s progress through various milestones and changes, ensuring their dental development stays on track.
- Build Positive Relationships: Establishing a positive relationship with the dentist can reduce anxiety and create a more comfortable experience for future visits.
- Empower Kids: Teaching children about their oral health empowers them to take responsibility for their hygiene at home, instilling lifelong habits.
- Foster Good Habits: Routine visits establish good dental habits that will last a lifetime, promoting better health and well-being.
Routine pediatric teeth cleanings and exams help:
At our practice, we strive to make dental visits as smooth and hassle-free as possible. To accommodate your busy family schedule, we offer flexible hours and can arrange back-to-back appointments for your family, making it easier to fit dental care into your day. We are dedicated to providing a positive and educational experience for your child, ensuring that every visit contributes to their long-term dental health.
What Happens During Children’s Teeth Cleaning?
Before their check-up, we will review their chart and history to quickly find any problem areas or identify troubling patterns. We may take prescribed Xrays or ask about fluoride treatment or sealants for new adult teeth. We will speak to your child in a kid-friendly manner to make them feel comfortable and ask them about how they feel about their teeth and mouth and if they have anything they’d like to ask or share.
Gum Health
Gum health is often underappreciated, yet it plays a crucial role in supporting your child’s teeth and framing their smile. Healthy gums are essential, especially when their permanent teeth are coming in. Just like adults, children can be susceptible to inflammatory gum diseases. During the cleaning, we will take special care to examine the soft tissues of their mouth, providing age-appropriate advice for flossing and gum care at home. Educating them on the importance of gum health will help them build good habits early on.
Plaque & Tartar Removal
Plaque is a soft, sticky film that begins accumulating on teeth as soon as they erupt. If plaque is not routinely cleaned away, it can harden into tartar deposits, which can lead to tooth decay and other oral health issues. Tartar is especially challenging to remove from between teeth and along the gumline. Our hygienist is trained to gently scale away stuck-on plaque and tartar from those hard-to-reach places using specialized tools. After this thorough cleaning, we may recommend a fluoride treatment to strengthen your child’s enamel, providing an extra layer of protection against cavities.
Watching for Milestones
The dentist will review your child’s chart and any new X-rays, focusing on problem areas and any new developments that need monitoring. Children typically get their first set of teeth between the ages of 6 months and 6 years. They will gradually lose their baby teeth and grow their permanent adult teeth throughout their teenage years, with wisdom teeth emerging even later for some. Every child’s dental journey is unique, and the dentist will carefully monitor their progress, addressing any concerns or delays they may notice along the way. This proactive approach ensures that your child’s dental health is on the right track as they grow.
Cost of a Routine Pediatric Teeth Cleaning and Exam in Thornton
Routine checkups for children, just like those for adults, are essential for preventing and avoiding dental problems. Most insurance companies cover these visits nearly in full on a routine basis. With typical insurance, you can expect to pay as little as $0 to $50 (or more) for each visit. Generally, insurance plans provide coverage every six months, although there may be exceptions for specific circumstances.
If your child is without dental insurance, the cost of a routine pediatric teeth cleaning and exam typically ranges from $120 to $300 or more, particularly for their first appointment or if it’s been a while since their last visit.
- Current Oral Health: The condition of your child’s teeth and gums will influence the complexity of the visit.
- X-rays: New X-rays may be required to get an accurate assessment of their dental health.
- Fluoride Treatments or Sealants: These preventative measures can incur additional costs but are often beneficial for new adult teeth.
- Time Required: The specific needs of your child may require more time with the dental team, affecting the overall cost.
- Equipment and Supplies: The necessary tools and materials for the visit will also factor into the pricing.
When determining the actual cost of their treatment, we consider several important factors:
It’s important to note that no dentist can provide an exact quote over the phone. If you would like more personalized information or an itemized estimate, we would be happy to provide that upon request. We cannot emphasize enough the importance of routine pediatric dental care. Regular checkups allow us to monitor the changes occurring in your child’s mouth as they grow and develop, helping to prevent costly and painful complications down the line.
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
It’s recommended that children visit the dentist every six months for routine teeth cleanings and exams. This frequency helps monitor their oral health and catch any potential issues early.
A routine visit typically includes a thorough teeth cleaning to remove plaque and tartar, a dental exam to check for cavities and gum health, and potentially X-rays if needed. We may also provide fluoride treatments or sealants for additional protection.
With insurance, you might pay as little as $0 to $50 per visit, depending on your plan. Without insurance, expect to pay between $120 to $300 or more for a routine cleaning and exam, especially for the first visit.
The cost can be influenced by factors such as your child’s current oral health, the need for X-rays, fluoride treatments or sealants, the time required for the appointment, and the necessary equipment and supplies.
If your child has specific dental issues that require additional treatment, we will discuss options with you and provide an estimate for any extra procedures necessary.
Unfortunately, no dentist can provide an exact quote over the phone. For personalized information or an itemized quote, it’s best to schedule an appointment so we can evaluate your child’s needs in detail.
If your child experiences dental anxiety, let us know beforehand. Our friendly team is trained to help children feel comfortable and relaxed during their visit, using kid-friendly language and techniques to ease their concerns.
Routine dental care is crucial for monitoring your child’s oral health as they grow. Regular checkups help prevent dental issues, ensure the healthy development of their teeth and gums, and establish good oral hygiene habits that will last a lifetime.
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