A children’s dental cleaning and checkup is a visit where a child’s teeth are cleaned and the dentist looks for cavities, gum problems and how the mouth is developing. Redondo Beach Dental Group provides it in Redondo Beach, a short drive from Torrance, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.
Regular visits matter because cavities are common and often silent. According to the CDC, more than half of children aged 6 to 8 have had a cavity in at least one baby tooth. A checkup finds decay while it is small, and the cleaning removes the buildup that brushing leaves behind. Call (310) 542-6988 to book your child’s next visit.
What Happens at a Child’s Cleaning and Exam
A child’s visit has two parts. The cleaning removes plaque, the soft film of bacteria that collects on teeth, and tartar, which is plaque that has hardened and cannot be brushed off. The exam is where the dentist checks for cavities, gum inflammation, how the permanent teeth are coming in and how the bite is developing.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) lists the parts of a routine checkup for a child as a comprehensive oral exam, an assessment of the child’s risk of cavities, professional preventive care such as a cleaning, and advice for parents on brushing, diet and habits. Depending on your child’s age and risk, it can also include a fluoride treatment and X-rays.
X-rays and fluoride are decided case by case
X-rays are not part of every child’s visit. The dentist decides whether your child needs them based on the child’s age, how many cavities they have had and what can and cannot be seen in the mouth. A fluoride treatment for kids is likewise suggested when a child’s cavity risk calls for it, and sealants, which are thin coatings painted onto the chewing surfaces of back teeth, can add protection for years. Ask what your child needs at the visit.
If the exam finds a cavity
Small decay can often be treated with a simple filling, and dental fillings for children are easier on a child the earlier they happen. The CDC notes that untreated cavities can cause pain and infections that interfere with eating, speaking, playing and learning.
How Often Should Kids Get a Cleaning and Checkup?
The AAPD recommends repeating the exam every six months or as the child’s individual needs indicate. Six months is a starting point and not a rule for every child. Children at higher risk for cavities or gum disease may do better with visits more often than every six months, and the dentist can tell you which schedule fits your child after the first exam.
If your child has not been to a dentist at all, the starting point is your child’s first dental visit, which the AAPD recommends when the first tooth comes in and no later than the first birthday. The CDC also advises a visit by the first birthday. Parents can book a cleaning and exam for adults at the same office, which makes it easier to bring the whole family on one schedule.
What a Cleaning Adds to Brushing at Home
Plaque forms on teeth every day, and the CDC advises brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and helping your child brush until they have good brushing skills. Toothpaste amounts by age, flossing and what to do when a toddler refuses the toothbrush are part of caring for your child’s teeth at home.
Brushing cannot remove tartar. Once plaque hardens, only a professional cleaning takes it off, which is why a child who brushes well can still have buildup at a checkup. Sugary snacks and drinks sipped through the day feed the bacteria in plaque, so what your child eats shows up at the checkup too.
Helping Your Child Get Ready
Many children do well when the visit is described in plain, calm words. You can tell a younger child that the dentist will count and look at their teeth, and some families practice by taking turns looking at each other’s teeth at home or reading a picture book about a dentist visit. A cleaning usually feels like scraping and pressure, and it is fine to say so.
If your child is nervous, tell us when you book, ask what can help your child feel at ease, and ask us whether you can stay with your child during the exam. Bring a list of anything you have noticed, such as a dark spot on a tooth or a tooth that hurts when your child chews.
What a Child’s Cleaning and Exam Costs
The cost of a child’s cleaning and exam depends on what the visit includes. A checkup and cleaning costs less than a visit that adds X-rays, a fluoride treatment or sealants, and treatment such as a filling is priced separately. Ask us for an estimate before the appointment so you know your share.
We accept PPO plans. Many dental plans cover routine checkups and cleanings for children as preventive care, but the rules vary by plan, so ask us how your plan applies to your child’s visit. For costs your plan does not cover, we offer payment plans through Cherry, CareCredit and LendingClub, and an in-office plan for patients without insurance.
About the Practice
Redondo Beach Dental Group is a family practice whose dental care for children covers checkups, fluoride, fillings and crowns, and parents can be patients at the same office. Dr. Moshe Eizdi leads the practice. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Southern California, where he graduated with honors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should kids go to the dentist for cleaning?
Most kids should go to the dentist for a cleaning and exam about every six months, and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry says to repeat the exam every six months or as the child’s needs indicate. Children at higher risk for cavities may need visits more often, so ask your dentist what schedule fits your child.
How much does a child’s dental check-up cost?
The price of a child’s dental check-up depends on what the visit includes, such as X-rays, fluoride or sealants, and on your insurance. Many dental plans cover routine checkups and cleanings for children as preventive care. Ask us for an estimate and how your plan applies to your child’s visit.
At what age should a child get their teeth cleaned?
A child should see a dentist when the first tooth comes in and no later than the first birthday, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and the CDC also advises a visit by the first birthday. What the dentist does at that first visit depends on the child’s age and cooperation, and regular cleanings follow as more teeth arrive. Call us with your child’s age and we can tell you what to expect.
Can children get their teeth cleaned at the dentist?
Children can get their teeth cleaned at the dentist, and a professional cleaning is a normal part of a routine checkup for a child. The cleaning removes plaque and tartar that brushing leaves behind, and the exam that goes with it checks for cavities and gum problems.
What does a dental cleaning remove from a child’s teeth?
A dental cleaning removes plaque, the soft film of bacteria on the teeth, and tartar, which is plaque that has hardened and cannot be brushed off at home. Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste keeps plaque down between visits, and the cleaning takes off what brushing leaves behind.
Do children need X-rays at a checkup?
Children do not need X-rays at every checkup, and the dentist decides when they are needed. The decision depends on your child’s age, cavity history and what the dentist can see in the mouth. If you have questions about X-rays for your child, ask at the visit.
What if my child is nervous about a dental cleaning?
A child who is nervous about a dental cleaning can still have a good visit when the family and the dental office plan for it. Tell us when you book, describe the visit to your child in calm and simple words, and ask us what can help and whether you can stay with your child during the exam.
Book Your Child’s Cleaning and Exam in Redondo Beach
Redondo Beach Dental Group is at 2511 Artesia Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA 90278. We are open Monday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Wednesday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Call (310) 542-6988 or request an appointment online, and tell us your child’s age so we can plan the visit.