Extra gentle care for their gums and teeth
Just like adults, children benefit from regular dental visits—and routine cleanings and checkups are essential to keeping their growing smiles healthy. Professional cleanings help remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria that brushing and flossing alone can’t fully eliminate. This helps prevent tooth decay, gum issues, chronic bad breath, and even complications with how their adult teeth come in.
Our kid-friendly hygienists are specially trained to work gently and patiently with young patients, reaching tricky spots they might miss during at-home care. After the cleaning, your child’s dentist will perform a thorough exam to check on the development of their baby and adult teeth, identify any problem areas, and share practical advice for home care tailored to your child’s needs.
- Keep both baby and adult teeth strong and cavity-free
- Prevent gum disease and promote long-term oral health
- Track important dental milestones and changes as your child grows
- Build familiarity and trust with their dental care team
- Encourage kids to feel confident in caring for their teeth
- Reinforce healthy habits that can last a lifetime
Routine cleanings and exams help to:
What happens during children’s teeth cleaning?
Before your child’s exam begins, we’ll take a quick look at their dental history and notes from past visits to identify any ongoing concerns or patterns. If needed, we may take X-rays or discuss additional treatments like fluoride or sealants—especially for newly erupted adult teeth. Throughout the visit, we’ll speak to your child in a calm, friendly way and encourage them to share how their mouth feels or ask any questions they might have.
Gum health
Healthy gums are just as important as healthy teeth. Gums support the structure of your child’s smile, especially as permanent teeth begin to emerge. Kids can experience early gum inflammation too, so we carefully check the soft tissues of the mouth and offer simple, age-appropriate guidance on flossing and maintaining gum health at home.
Plaque & tartar removal
Plaque is a soft, sticky film that builds up on teeth daily. If left behind, it can harden into tartar, which is harder to remove and leads to cavities—especially in between teeth and along the gumline. Our dental hygienists use gentle scaling tools to remove both plaque and tartar from areas your child can’t easily clean on their own. Once their teeth are sparkling clean, we may recommend a fluoride treatment to help strengthen enamel and protect against future decay.
Tracking milestones
Your child’s dentist will review their chart and any new X-rays to monitor growth, tooth development, and any areas of concern. From their first baby teeth to the arrival of wisdom teeth in their later teen years, every child’s dental journey is different. We’ll keep an eye on how their smile is progressing, catch any signs of delays or issues early, and keep you informed every step of the way.
Cost of a routine pediatric teeth cleaning and exam in North York
Routine dental checkups for children are one of the most effective ways to catch problems early and keep their teeth healthy—and the good news is that most insurance plans recognize this. In many cases, insurance will fully or nearly fully cover these visits on a regular basis, typically every six months. With coverage, you might only pay between $0 and $50+ per visit.
If you don’t have insurance, the cost of a pediatric cleaning and exam generally ranges from $120 to $300 or more, especially for a first-time appointment or if it’s been a while since your child’s last visit.
- Your child’s current oral health
- Whether new X-rays are needed
- The addition of fluoride treatment or sealants for new adult teeth
- The time and attention required to meet their individual needs
- Any special equipment or materials needed for their care
What can affect the cost of a child’s dental visit
It’s important to remember that every child is different—and so is every visit. That’s why we don’t offer exact pricing over the phone. However, we’re happy to provide a detailed quote once your child has had an exam, or even before the visit if you’d like to prepare ahead of time.
Establishing regular pediatric dental visits is one of the best investments you can make in your child’s long-term oral health. Monitoring their development now helps avoid more serious and costly problems down the road.
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
Just like adults, kids should have their teeth cleaned and examined every six months, unless your dentist suggests a different schedule. Some children—especially those more prone to cavities or gum issues—may benefit from more frequent visits, such as every three to four months. We recommend never going more than a year between cleanings.
If you’re concerned, don’t wait. It’s always better to have us take a look sooner rather than later. Catching issues early can prevent discomfort and more complicated treatment down the line.
Children don’t always know how to describe pain—or even realize something is wrong. Watch for these signs that could indicate dental discomfort:
- Touching or holding their face or jaw frequently
- Pulling away when you try to look in their mouth
- Swollen, red, or discoloured gums or cheeks
- Running a low-grade fever without other symptoms
- Avoiding cold or hot foods and drinks
- Refusing chewy foods like meat or raw veggies
- Chewing only on one side
- Seeming more irritable or quiet than usual
Most pediatric cleanings take 30 to 60 minutes. The visit may be a little longer if your child has questions, is feeling nervous, or needs extra reassurance—we take the time to go at their pace.
- Begin brushing as soon as the first tooth appears
- Use age-appropriate brushes and toothpaste with fluoride
- Encourage brushing twice daily—once in the morning and once before bed
- Ask your dentist about fluoride treatments and sealants for added protection
- Limit sugary snacks and acidic drinks like pop and juice
- Avoid sweet treats right before bedtime
- Lead by example—let your child see you brushing and flossing regularly
It’s best to wait at least 30 minutes after a fluoride treatment before allowing your child to eat or drink. This gives the fluoride enough time to strengthen their teeth before being washed away.
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