Kids' dental checkups & cleanings

Why regular checkups matter

Most cavities in children don't hurt at first. By the time a child complains of a toothache, a small problem has often turned into a bigger one. Regular checkups let us spot trouble while it's still easy to fix, or stop it before it starts.

Tooth decay is very common in kids. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) calls cavities one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood, and reports that more than half of children aged 6 to 8 have had a cavity in their baby teeth. Those baby teeth matter. They hold space for adult teeth, help with chewing and speech, and need to stay healthy for years.

Checkups aren't only about cavities. We also watch how the jaw and bite are developing, whether new teeth are arriving as expected, and how the gums are doing. Seeing your child regularly makes changes stand out early. Crowding, for example, might lead us to suggest an early orthodontic evaluation. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check-up no later than age 7.

How often your child should come in

For most children, we suggest a checkup and cleaning about every six months. That rhythm works well for catching changes early and for keeping plaque and tartar from building up.

Some kids do better with more frequent visits. We may suggest a shorter interval if your child has had recent cavities, early weak spots on the enamel, braces, or a health condition or medication that affects the mouth. The schedule can change as they grow.

The very first checkup should happen early. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the American Dental Association (ADA) recommend a first visit by the first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth coming in. Our infant and toddler dentistry page explains what those early visits look like.

What happens at a checkup and cleaning

Every visit follows a familiar routine, which helps kids know what's coming. We explain each step in simple, friendly words and let your child see and touch the tools first, using our tell-show-do approach.

1. Catch up

   We ask about changes in your child's health or medications, and about anything you've noticed at home, like sensitivity, bleeding gums, or a tooth that looks different.

2. Clean

   Our hygienist removes soft plaque and any hardened tartar, polishes the teeth smooth, and flosses between teeth that touch.

3. Check

   The dentist examines each tooth, the gums, tongue, and cheeks, and the way the teeth fit together. With little ones, counting teeth often turns into a game.

4. Take pictures, if needed

   When there's a reason to look between teeth or below the gums, we take low-dose digital X-rays. Not every visit includes them.

5. Protect

   Many children get a quick coat of fluoride varnish. When new molars are ready, we may also talk about sealants.

6. Make a plan

   We share what we found, show your child any spots that need extra brushing, and answer your questions before you head home.

Where fluoride and sealants fit in

A cleaning removes what's already built up on the teeth. Two quick treatments help protect them afterward. Fluoride varnish strengthens enamel and can help early weak spots harden again. Dental sealants cover the deep grooves on back molars, where toothbrush bristles have trouble reaching. We recommend either one only when it makes sense for your child's teeth and cavity risk.

Dental X-rays for kids: when and why

X-rays let us see what an exam can't: the tight spaces between teeth where cavities often hide, the roots, and the adult teeth forming under the gums. After a fall or a bump to the mouth, they can also show whether a tooth or its root was affected.

We don't take X-rays on a fixed calendar. In line with ADA and AAPD guidance, we decide based on your child's age, cavity risk, and dental history. A child who has had several cavities may need them more often than a child who has never had one. A young child whose back teeth don't touch yet may not need them at all for a while.

When X-rays are needed, we use low-dose digital equipment and take only the images that will help. If your child had X-rays elsewhere recently, ask that office to send copies so we don't repeat them. Our new patient guide lists what to bring to a first visit.

Checkups as your child grows

What we focus on shifts with each stage. Here's a rough idea of what to expect.

• Toddlers and preschoolers. Young children may start with a lap exam and move to the big chair when they're ready. Much of the visit is coaching for parents.
• Early school years. The first permanent molars usually arrive around age 6, behind the baby teeth, and that's often when sealants come up. We also keep an eye on baby teeth loosening and adult teeth coming in, which usually happens between about ages 6 and 12.
• Tweens and teens. We check newer molars, watch the bite, keep an eye on developing wisdom teeth, and offer sports mouthguard advice. Busy schedules and more snacking can raise cavity risk at this age.

California's school dental assessment

California requires children to turn in an oral health assessment by May 31 of their first year in public school, whether that's transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, or first grade. A licensed dental professional must complete it, no earlier than 12 months before your child enrolls. A TK assessment counts, so it isn't repeated in kindergarten. Bring the school's form to a regular checkup and it can be covered then.

Making visits easy for kids and parents

We want checkups to be something kids look forward to, or at least don't dread. A few things help:

• You can stay close. Parents are welcome chairside for the whole visit.
• A reward at the end. Kids pick a prize from our treasure chest on the way out.
• Easy to get in. The office is wheelchair accessible, and parking is free.

If your child gets nervous before appointments, our guide on helping a child who's afraid of the dentist has ideas to try at home. Children with disabilities or sensory sensitivities are always welcome, too. See how we adapt visits on our special needs dentistry page.

Cost and insurance for checkups

Dental plans usually treat checkups and cleanings as preventive care, and many cover them well, often up to a set number of visits per year. Every plan has its own rules, though, so coverage for X-rays and fluoride can differ.

We're in-network with most PPO dental plans, and we're glad to verify your benefits before the visit so you know what to expect. If your child needs treatment, you'll get a clear estimate first. Our insurance and payment details explain how it works.

Children in California who qualify for Medi-Cal can get dental coverage through Medi-Cal Dental. If that's your child's coverage, check with your plan about which dentists you can see.

Between visits: what helps most at home

Cleanings and daily habits work as a team, but what happens at the bathroom sink each day has the biggest effect on your child's teeth.

• Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, and help younger kids until they can do a thorough job on their own. Our age-by-age guide to brushing and flossing covers technique, routines, and how to handle a reluctant brusher.
• Floss once a day as soon as teeth start to touch.
• Keep snacks to set times and make water the go-to drink between meals.
• Use the right amount of toothpaste for your child's age. Our guide to fluoride and toothpaste for kids shows how much.
• Call us about changes like white or brown spots, new sensitivity, or swollen gums. You don't need to wait for the next checkup.