Caring for Their Gums and Teeth, One Visit at a Time
Kids need to see the dentist just as often as adults do. Regular cleanings and exams are two of the best things you can do to protect their oral health and support healthy growth. A professional cleaning clears away plaque, tartar and bacteria that lead to cavities, gum disease, persistent bad breath and can even affect how their permanent teeth come in. Our kid-friendly hygienists can reach the spots that are tough for little ones to hit with everyday brushing and flossing at home.
Once the cleaning is done, it’s the ideal time for our hygienist and dentist to take a close look at your child’s overall oral health, flag any problem areas, and check on baby teeth coming in or falling out alongside adult teeth settling into place. We’ll walk you through what to watch for and share simple, practical tips for at-home care tailored to your child’s specific needs.
Routine pediatric cleanings and exams can help:
- Keep baby teeth and incoming adult teeth healthy and strong
- Prevent gum disease and support overall oral health
- Track your child’s progress through every stage of growth
- Build a positive, comfortable relationship with the dentist
- Give kids the confidence to care for their own smile at home
- Set the foundation for lifelong healthy habits
What to Expect During Your Child's Teeth Cleaning
Before your child’s checkup, our team reviews their chart and history to spot any problem areas or patterns worth watching. We may take recommended X-rays or talk with you about fluoride treatments or sealants for new adult teeth. Throughout the visit, we talk with your child in a friendly, easygoing way so they feel at ease, and we ask them how their teeth and mouth are feeling and whether they have any questions of their own.
Gum Health
Gums don’t always get the credit they deserve, but they support your child’s teeth and shape their smile. Healthy gums matter most while permanent teeth are coming in, and kids can develop gum inflammation just as easily as adults. We take extra care examining the soft tissue in their mouth and offer age-appropriate tips for flossing and gum care at home.
Plaque and Tartar Removal
Plaque is a soft, sticky film that begins building up on teeth almost as soon as they appear. Left alone, it hardens into tartar, and both plaque and tartar contribute to tooth decay, especially in tight spots between teeth and along the gumline. Our hygienists know exactly how to gently clear away plaque and tartar from those hard-to-reach areas. Once that’s done, we may suggest a fluoride treatment to help strengthen their enamel.
Watching for Milestones
The dentist reviews your child’s chart and any new X-rays, keeping an eye out for problem areas, patterns or new developments worth tracking. Most children get their first teeth somewhere between 6 months and 6 years old, then gradually lose their baby teeth as permanent ones come in, a process that continues well into the teenage years (and sometimes later, once wisdom teeth show up). Every child develops at their own pace, and the dentist keeps track of that progress, flagging any concerns or delays along the way.
How Much is A Routine Pediatric Teeth Cleaning and Exam in Tacoma?
Just like routine dental cleanings and exams for adults, regular dental visits for children are an important part of preventing cavities and other oral health problems. Most dental insurance plans provide coverage for routine pediatric checkups every 6 months, which means your out-of-pocket cost may be as little as $0 to $50 or more, depending on your plan. Without dental insurance, you can typically expect to pay between $120 and $300 or more, particularly for a child’s first dental visit or an appointment after a long gap in care.
When we determine the actual cost of your child’s treatment, we consider a few important factors:
- Your child’s current oral health and dental needs.
- Whether new X-rays are needed to evaluate their teeth and developing smile.
- Whether fluoride treatment or dental sealants are recommended to help prevent cavities.
- The amount of time needed by our dental team to provide comfortable, thorough care.
- The equipment, materials, and supplies needed for their specific treatment.
Keep in mind that an exact dental cost cannot be determined over the phone. Every child has different dental needs, so an examination is the best way to determine what treatment may be recommended. If you would like more personalized information or an itemized estimate, our dental team would be happy to provide one. Regular pediatric dental care gives us the opportunity to monitor your child’s teeth as they grow and develop, identify potential problems early, and help prevent more serious and costly dental issues in the future.
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!
Google Verified Patient Reviews
Just Call - Booking Is That Easy!
Give Us a Call
Tell Us What You Need
Pick a Time That Works for You
