Routine Visits & Preventative Care

At Smiles4Children, we believe all children should have appropriate, regular care to achieve and maintain their oral health. This means bringing in your children on a routine basis for a professional dental cleaning and thorough dental examination.

Why are routine dental examinations important for children?

Our Pediatric dentists at Smiles4Children strongly follow the recommendations of the American Dental Association, or ADA, in regard to the schedule of cleanings and evaluations. Every six months, children and adults should see their dentist for an examination and a professional dental cleaning known as a “prophy,” or prophylaxis.

What happens during a routine dental examination?

Children are growing all the time, so it is important for the Pediatric dentist to constantly evaluate their dental development. During a six-month dental checkup, our dentists check to make sure all of the appropriate teeth have come in (or fallen out, depending on their age), we check for tooth decay (cavities), we review your child’s overall oral health with respect to diet and nutrition and inspect the gums and surrounding tissue for signs of infection or injury. We make sure that any existing dental work is functioning correctly. As your child gets older, we continue to assess their growth and development for any signs of malocclusion (poor dental alignment) and refer them to an orthodontist if needed. Our dental team may also recommend dental X-rays to look for any hidden problems within the teeth, gums, or bones supporting the teeth.

What can happen if I don’t bring my child in regularly for evaluations and cleanings?

Routine examinations are essential because they allow our dentists at Smiles4Children to identify and address potential issues immediately before they become major problems. Early detection prevents more serious conditions from developing down the road, costing patients and parents both time and money. Regular visits give our dentists an opportunity to educate both parents and children on proper home hygiene practices like brushing and flossing, as well as nutrition tips that can help them maintain good oral health in between office visits.

Schedule your child for their routine dental examinations!

At Smiles4Children, we are here to help you address common dental concerns with the help of our experienced team of professionals. If you are looking for a new dental provider for your children, our pediatric dental practice is here for you! Call one of our three office locations in the communities of Eldersburg, Ellicott City, and Catonsville, MD, to request a visit with our experienced team. We are open to new patients and families who are seeking comprehensive dental care for their children.

Catonsville (410) 788-4555, Ellicott City (410) 203-2410,  Eldersburg (410) 549-1212