Checkups & cleanings
Regular checkups are where cavities get caught while they are still tiny, or prevented altogether. We recommend a visit by your child's first birthday, then every six months. Each visit is p...
What this actually means
Regular checkups are where cavities get caught while they are still tiny, or prevented altogether. We recommend a visit by your child's first birthday, then every six months. Each visit is paced to your child: toddlers sit on a parent's lap for a knee-to-knee exam, while older kids ride the chair up and down and help hold the mirror.
Our hygienists narrate everything in kid words. The suction straw is Mr. Thirsty, the polish is a tooth tickle, and the explorer is a tooth counter. Parents stay with their child for the whole visit, and you leave with a simple plan for home instead of a lecture.
What is included
No line items sprung on you afterwards. Here is everything that happens in this appointment.
- Head, neck and gum check with a gentle tooth count
- Cleaning and flavored polish (bubblegum, mint or strawberry)
- Fluoride varnish painted on in about 30 seconds
- Low-dose digital X-rays only when they are due
- Growth and bite check for crowding or crossbites
- Brushing coaching sized to your child's age
- A spin on the prize wall and a new toothbrush
How the visit goes
Four steps, start to finish, so your child knows what is coming next.
- Step 1
Tour and tell
Your child meets the chair, the light and Mr. Thirsty before anything touches their teeth.
- Step 2
Count and clean
A hygienist counts teeth, cleans away plaque and polishes with the flavor your child picks.
- Step 3
Doctor check
One of our pediatric dentists checks growth, bite and any soft spots, then talks with you.
- Step 4
Home plan
You get a short written plan for brushing, snacks and the next visit, plus a prize.
Why parents choose this
The practical payoff, in plain language.
Catch it small
Early soft spots can often be reversed with fluoride instead of fillings.
Build good feelings
Positive early visits make teen and adult dental care much easier.
Track growth
We watch jaw growth and spacing so ortho needs are never a surprise.
What it usually costs
We verify your benefits before treatment and hand you a written estimate. No surprises on the way out.
- Most insurance
- Covered at 100% twice a year
- Membership
- Included in every plan
- Self-pay exam + cleaning
- From $145 (sample)
- X-rays when due
- From $55 (sample)
Sample prices for illustration. Your exact cost depends on your plan and what your child needs.
Often booked together
Families who come in for this usually ask about these too.
Sealants & fluoride
Paint-on cavity armor for back teeth and a quick fluoride varnish that strengthens enamel.
Read more
Kids' dental emergencies
Same-day help for knocked-out teeth, chipped smiles, swelling and toothaches.
Read more
Special needs & sedation
Sensory-friendly visits, laughing gas, in-office sedation and hospital dentistry for anxious or medically complex kids.
Read more
Checkups & cleanings questions
Still unsure? Our coordinators answer these on the phone every day.
All parent questionsBy the first birthday or within six months of the first tooth, whichever comes first. First visits are short and mostly about getting comfortable.
Yes. Parents are welcome for every visit. Some older kids like to show off by going solo, and that is fine too.
Only when they help us see between teeth or check development. For most kids with low cavity risk that is every one to two years, using low-dose digital sensors.
Crying is normal, especially under age three, and it actually helps us see the teeth. We go at your child's pace and never force anything.
Happy teeth start here
New patients are usually seen within 10 days. Tell us a little about your child and we will call to confirm a time that works.
