Kids Dental Checkups & Cleanings – Portland, OR

Protect Your Child’s Teeth for a Lifetime

Dental Check-ups and cleanings are essential for protecting your child’s smile

A lifetime of healthy, beautiful smiles begins at birth. Not only does teaching your child to properly care for their teeth and gums early on set them up with a solid foundation for excellent oral health, but it also helps protect their growing mouths, so they don’t have costly or painful dental issues later in life. In addition to practicing proper oral hygiene at home, your child should receive regular dental check-ups and cleanings every six months to help monitor the progress of their smiles and catch any developing issues before they have a chance to get worse.

Why Choose Dr. Pike Dentistry for Children for Dental Checkups & Cleanings?

Kind, Caring Dentist Who Loves Kids
Sedation Options Available
Dental Insurance Welcome

Why Are Kids’ Dental Checkups & Cleanings Important?

dental checkups and cleanings are important to ensure your child has a healthy mouth for a lifetime

While it may seem tempting to skip your child’s regular dental appointments because their teeth look fine or they’re “just” baby teeth, unfortunately doing so can end up causing a lot of problems in the long run. Dental cleanings can remove plaque that may eventually cause cavities, or a cavity you never knew was there can be treated or detected before it requires a more costly or invasive repair.

In most cases, dental insurance covers two check-ups and cleanings per year, but treatments like fillings and other restorations almost always result in out-of-pocket costs. Furthermore, routine visits can also help prevent dental emergencies, which can cost both time and money.

Finally, while many children do not have their full set of permanent teeth until their teens, it is still vitally important to protect baby teeth from damage. This not only teaches your child how to care for their adult smile, but it also helps ensure that adult teeth are given the chance to develop on schedule, so they don’t create bite issues from emerging too early.

What to Expect During Your Child’s Dental Checkup

During your child’s checkup you can expect their dentist to physically examine their teeth and gums

During your child’s dental check-up, Dr. Pike and his team will:

Visually examine your child’s teeth, gums, bite, and any existing dental work.
Screen their soft tissues for oral cancer and other abnormalities.
Take X-rays (usually only once a year) to detect any problems underneath the surface of the gums.
Create a treatment plan for any problems that are discovered.
Answer any questions you or your child may have about treatment or at-home care.
Update and review your child’s medial history, including any medications which may impact their oral health.

What to Expect During Your Child’s Dental Cleaning

Your child’s dental cleaning can help remove built up plaque and tartar

Even with a solid daily oral hygiene routine, there are parts of your child’s mouth that are impossible for them to clean on their own. That’s where routine professional cleanings can help. Here’s what you can expect during this treatment:

First, your child’s dental hygienist will use special instruments to remove plaque and tartar that have built up on and between their teeth and along the gumline. This is to reduce the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and chronic bad breath.
Your child’s teeth will also be polished, which can clear away minor surface stains.
Your child’s teeth will be flossed as well.
Fluoride treatment may be applied to keep their teeth strong and healthy.