Iris Pediatric Dentistry - Denver

Teeth Cleaning for Kids in Denver

Regular pediatric dental checkups track the progress of a child's oral health and work to prevent potential issues from arising.
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Extra gentle care for their gums and teeth

Children should visit their dentist as routinely as adults. Routine teeth cleaning and examinations are two of the most critical steps you can take to preserve their oral health and encourage healthy development. Cleaning their teeth removes plaque, tartar and bacteria that can cause decay, gum disease, chronic bad breath and which may affect how their adult teeth come in. A kid-friendly dentist is able to get into spaces that aren’t easy for kids to reach with routine brushing and flossing at home.

After a thorough cleaning is the perfect time for the dental assistant and dentist to closely examine their overall oral health, problem areas, baby teeth that may be coming in or falling out, and adult teeth that are finding their permanent home. We will let you know what to watch out for and give you some tips and tricks for oral care at home that are tailored to your child’s specific needs.

Routine pediatric teeth cleanings and exams help:
  • Keep their baby teeth and new adult teeth as healthy and as strong as possible.
  • Prevent gum disease and maintain their overall oral health.
  • Monitor their progress and milestones through many changes.
  • Establish a positive relationship with the dentist.
  • Empowers kids to take care of their own oral health at home.
  • Establish good habits that will last a lifetime.

What happens during children’s teeth cleaning?

Before their check-up, we will review their chart and history to quickly find any problem areas or identify troubling patterns. We may take prescribed Xrays or ask about fluoride treatment or sealants for new adult teeth. We will speak to your child in a kid-friendly manner to make them feel comfortable and ask them about how they feel about their teeth and mouth and if they have anything they’d like to ask or share.

Gum health

Often under-appreciated, gums support your child’s teeth and frame their smile. Good gum health is essential when the permanent teeth are coming in and children are just as susceptible to inflammatory gum diseases as adults. We will take special care examining the soft tissues of their mouth and give them age-appropriate advice for flossing and gum care at home.

Plaque & tartar removal

Plaque is a soft, sticky film that starts accumulating on teeth as soon as they come in. If plaque is not routinely cleaned away it can harden into tartar deposits. Plaque and tartar lead to tooth decay and can be especially hard to remove between teeth and at the gumline. A hygienist has the tools and know-how to gently scale away stuck-on plaque and tartar from those hard-to-reach places. With all that out of the way, we may recommend a fluoride treatment to strengthen their enamel.

Watching for milestones

The dentist will check out your child’s chart and any new Xrays and zero in on any problem areas, troubling patterns or new developments to monitor. Children will typically get their first set of teeth between the ages of 6 months and 6 years. They will slowly lose their baby teeth and get their permanent adult teeth all the way up into their teens (and even later for wisdom teeth!) Every child is different. The dentist will monitor their progress and will address any concerns or delays they spot.

Cost of a routine pediatric teeth cleaning and exam in Denver

Just like with adult teeth cleanings and exams, routine checkups for kids are such a great way to prevent and avoid dental problems that most insurance companies will nearly completely cover them on a routine basis. With typical insurance, you might expect to pay as low as $0 to $50 (or more). Insurance companies typically provide coverage every 6 months except in special circumstances. If you are without dental insurance, you can expect to pay anywhere from $120 to $300 and up, especially for their first appointment or for the first appointment in a long time.

    When we determine the actual cost of their treatment we refer to a few important factors:
  • Their current oral health.
  • New Xrays that might be required.
  • Fluoride treatment or sealants for new adult teeth.
  • The amount of time required by the dental team to meet their specific needs.
  • The equipment and supplies that will be needed to serve all their needs.

Remember, no dentist can give you an exact quote over the phone. If you would like more personalized information or an itemized quote, we would be happy to provide you with one upon request. We can’t state enough how important it is to provide children with routine pediatric dental care. Monitoring all of the changes happening to their mouths as they grow and develop is the most effective way to prevent costly and painful complications.

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Just like for adults, we would normally recommend coming in every 6 months to get their teeth cleaned and have a checkup unless otherwise recommended by the dentist. Some people come as often as every 3 months. We would strongly recommend waiting no longer than a year.
Don’t wait. If you have any concerns about your child’s teeth or oral health it’s best to come in right away so we can address any issues while they’re still minor.
Young children have no frame of reference for what’s an acceptable amount of discomfort. Some kids just try to cope and won’t speak up on their own. Your child might be experiencing discomfort or pain if you notice the following:
  • Excessive touching or cupping of their face and teeth.
  • Defensive or scared to let others near their face and teeth.
  • Swelling, redness or discoloration of the gums, cheeks and teeth.
  • Some children run a fever if they have a toothache.
  • Avoiding hot and cold foods and drinks
  • Avoiding chewy or hard foods like raw veggies and chunks of meat.
  • Only chewing on one side of their mouth.
  • Children often become irritable and glum if they’re experiencing dental pain.
Most appointments last between thirty minutes to an hour. Dental appointments can take longer if children have lots of questions or for anxious children who need plenty of reassurance and gentle patience.
  • Start cleaning your child’s teeth as soon as they come in. Use approved, child friendly and age-appropriate toothpaste and brushes.
  • Teach your child about their mouths and how to take care of them. Get them in the habit of brushing their own teeth twice a day.
  • Children benefit greatly from fluoride treatments. You can request fluoride treatment at the dentist and use fluorinated products and drinking water at home.
  • Sugary or acidic foods and drinks like juice and pop promote tooth decay and should be enjoyed in moderation.
  • Especially avoid sweet treats and snacks before bed.
  • Be a good example, brush your own teeth twice a day and floss!
Your child should wait at least 30 minutes after a fluoride treatment before eating or drinking. Waiting the full 30 minutes gives the treatment time to work it’s magic before it’s scrubbed away by food and rinsed away with drink.

Best Experience We Ever Had

My Child Loved It

My Child Loves Iris Pediatric Dentistry

    Google verified patient reviews

    Ama HaRo
    1 month ago
    Amazing! Highly recommend. There are so many wonderful things to say about this office and entire staff. My child ENJOYS going to this dentist and leaves the office HAPPY, even after dental work. The staff is knowledgeable and kind. The office is exceptionally clean and comfortable. The staff thoroughly explain all procedures to the child and parent, and provide clear treatment plans. You can make appointments online and they have Spanish speaking staff ❤️
    More
    Emily McNabb
    3 weeks ago
    Dr. Leslie and staff were so kind and amazing with my kids! I appreciate the welcoming atmosphere and that she takes the time to talk with you about everything. Would recommend to anyone looking for a dentist for their kids - I actually wish she could be my dentist too! 😆
    More
    Donna Keren
    10 months ago
    My first visit was wonderful. The staff was very helpful seeing I had more than one kiddo. My kids didn’t mind waiting for their cleaning seeing the waiting room had just enough toys to entertain but not be overwhelming.. The office was VERY CLEAN & TAILORED TO TODDLERS. I was shocked by the quality of the exam rooms. 5 stars! Great quality healthcare! Doctor Leslie was great with my kids and made them super comfortable before proceeding with the check up. My kiddos came home excited to bush! Thank you for a wonderful first experience with pediatric dentistry. Excited to learn more about growing little teeth at our next visit!
    More
    Ale Mier
    2 weeks ago
    Everyone here has been so great with my daughter. They make her feel heard, safe, and secure when she is getting treatment. I moved further out and make the drive just so I know my daughter will continue to have a great experience going to the denist.
    More
    Lauren Steidl
    1 month ago
    We are very happy with Iris. My kids receive great care, and the environment is very chill. I was pleasantly surprised that they use sustainable materials and avoid plastic when possible. Nice bonus.
    More
    Ama HaRo
    1 month ago
    Amazing! Highly recommend. There are so many wonderful things to say about this office and entire staff. My child ENJOYS going to this dentist and leaves the office HAPPY, even after dental work. The staff is knowledgeable and kind. The office is exceptionally clean and comfortable. The staff thoroughly explain all procedures to the child and parent, and provide clear treatment plans. You can make appointments online and they have Spanish speaking staff ❤️
    More
    Emily McNabb
    3 weeks ago
    Dr. Leslie and staff were so kind and amazing with my kids! I appreciate the welcoming atmosphere and that she takes the time to talk with you about everything. Would recommend to anyone looking for a dentist for their kids - I actually wish she could be my dentist too! 😆
    More
    Donna Keren
    10 months ago
    My first visit was wonderful. The staff was very helpful seeing I had more than one kiddo. My kids didn’t mind waiting for their cleaning seeing the waiting room had just enough toys to entertain but not be overwhelming.. The office was VERY CLEAN & TAILORED TO TODDLERS. I was shocked by the quality of the exam rooms. 5 stars! Great quality healthcare! Doctor Leslie was great with my kids and made them super comfortable before proceeding with the check up. My kiddos came home excited to bush! Thank you for a wonderful first experience with pediatric dentistry. Excited to learn more about growing little teeth at our next visit!
    More
    Ale Mier
    2 weeks ago
    Everyone here has been so great with my daughter. They make her feel heard, safe, and secure when she is getting treatment. I moved further out and make the drive just so I know my daughter will continue to have a great experience going to the denist.
    More
    Lauren Steidl
    1 month ago
    We are very happy with Iris. My kids receive great care, and the environment is very chill. I was pleasantly surprised that they use sustainable materials and avoid plastic when possible. Nice bonus.
    More
      Iris Pediatric Dentistry - Denver

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