Routine Checkups and Cleanings
For Kids in
Washington D.C. and McLean VA
Routine Checkups and Teeth Cleanings for Kids and Teens
Looking for gentle, professional children’s teeth cleaning in Washington DC or McLean VA? Beverly Pediatric Dentistry provides preventative dental cleanings and routine exams for toddlers, children, and teens in a comfortable, kid-friendly environment. Our pediatric dental team helps families throughout Washington DC and Northern Virginia protect healthy smiles with regular cleanings, cavity prevention, and personalized oral health care.
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends a minimum of two visits to the dentist each year. It also reports that children who have routine dental check-ups and cleanings every six months have up to 40% fewer cavities compared to those who visit less frequently.
At Beverly Pediatric Dentistry, we provide gentle children’s teeth cleaning services in Washington DC and McLean VA for infants, toddlers, school-age children, and teenagers.
During these appointments, our dentists will examine your child's teeth, gums, and jaw for any signs of disease or abnormalities. We will also clean their teeth to remove plaque and tartar buildup to help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
When Should I Schedule My Child's First Cleaning?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends scheduling your child's first dental visit within six months of the arrival of the first tooth and no later than the first birthday. Routine cleanings are vital for maintaining the oral health of children of all ages, from babies to toddlers, teens, and adolescents. These preventative appointments involve evaluating your child's development and helping you establish proper oral hygiene care practices to lay the foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles.
How Often Should I Schedule My Child's Dental Cleanings?
We recommend scheduling your child's routine dental exams and cleanings every six months, during which we will perform thorough professional cleaning and check for early signs of dental problems. We will treat any condition to prevent it from progressing and provide any needed preventative treatments to ensure your child's smile stays healthy and sound.
Teeth Cleaning for Toddlers, Kids, and Teens
Every stage of childhood requires different dental care. At Beverly Pediatric Dentistry, we customize cleanings and preventative care based on your child’s age, dental development, and oral health needs.
Toddler Teeth Cleanings
Early dental visits help toddlers become comfortable at the dentist while allowing us to monitor healthy tooth development and identify concerns early.
Kids Dental Cleanings
Professional cleanings for school-age children help remove plaque from hard-to-reach areas and reduce the risk of cavities, especially as adult teeth begin to erupt.
Teen Teeth Cleanings
Teenagers are especially vulnerable to plaque buildup, cavities, gum inflammation, and orthodontic-related hygiene challenges. Routine cleanings help teens maintain healthy teeth and confident smiles throughout adolescence.
Professional pediatric teeth cleanings are especially important because children often miss difficult-to-clean areas while brushing at home. Regular cleanings help prevent cavities between teeth, remove tartar buildup, strengthen enamel, and reinforce healthy oral hygiene habits that can last a lifetime.
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Why Is It Important to Get My Child's Teeth Cleaned?
Keeping up with your child's periodic dental cleanings is a preventative measure that helps keep oral disease at bay. Baby teeth, just like permanent teeth, are vulnerable to plaque and tartar buildup, which can cause cavities and gum disease and make your child uncomfortable and less likely to eat. If not treated, tooth decay can continue to progress, potentially leading to complications, including infection and tooth loss. Detecting and treating early signs of problems will prevent involved and costly procedures down the road.
Even though baby teeth don't last forever, they play a vital role in the development of your child's adult teeth. Healthy primary teeth maintain the needed space for the permanent teeth developing behind the scenes. Premature loss of baby teeth can impact your child's oral health and development. The neighboring teeth may begin shifting out of alignment, potentially leading to crooked adult teeth or a crowded mouth, which will likely require future orthodontic treatment. Additionally, keeping your child's baby teeth intact will help with speech development and allow for proper chewing.
The American Dental Association (ADA) reports that during daily brushing, children often spend less than one minute cleaning the hard-to-reach areas where most cavities form, making professional cleanings at routine check-ups essential to remove plaque and prevent decay.
What Happens During a Dental Cleaning?
During your child’s dental cleaning appointment at Beverly Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Mohammadi and our pediatric dental team will stary by carefully examining your child’s teeth, gums, and oral development. Digital x-rays may be taken if needed to detect cavities or monitor developing teeth beneath the gums and rule out any potential problems.
The cleaning process includes gently removing plaque and tartar buildup, polishing the teeth, flossing between teeth, and reviewing healthy brushing and flossing habits with both parents and children. Depending on your child’s needs, we may also recommend fluoride treatment to strengthen enamel and help prevent cavities.
What Happens During a Pediatric Dental Exam?
Routine dental exams are an important part of your child’s preventative dental care. During each visit, our pediatric dental team carefully evaluates your child’s teeth, gums, bite, jaw growth, and overall oral development to help identify concerns early—before they become larger problems.
Your child’s exam may include digital x-rays when needed to detect cavities between teeth, monitor developing permanent teeth, and evaluate oral growth beneath the gums. We also assess habits such as thumb sucking, pacifier use, and oral hygiene routines to help support healthy dental development at every age.
Preventative Screenings for Growing Smiles
As part of your child’s routine dental exam, we also perform gentle preventative screenings of the mouth, gums, tongue, and surrounding oral tissues. These evaluations help us identify abnormalities, infections, developmental concerns, or other oral health issues as early as possible.
These screenings are performed for patients of all ages and are a routine part of every check-up. They also include age-appropriate oral cancer screenings, which allow us to carefully examine the soft tissues of the mouth and detect any unusual changes early. In addition to supporting healthy development, this helps ensure prompt attention if anything out of the ordinary is found.
Schedule Your Child's Dental Cleaning Appointment in McLean VA or Washington DC
Beverly Pediatric Dentistry offers comprehensive routine checkups and cleanings at both of our convenient locations. Our McLean office is located at 1363 Beverly Road Suite 250, McLean, VA 22101—call us at 703-752-2200 to book your appointment on Mondays (10:00 AM - 6:00 PM) or Tuesdays (11:30 AM - 6:00 PM). We proudly serve families in McLean, Reston, Vienna, Arlington, Great Falls, Falls Church, and Tysons Corner.
Our Washington DC office is at 1426 21st NW, 2nd floor, Washington, DC 20036 (Dupont Circle area)—reach us at 202-331-3474 for appointments on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM). We serve families throughout Dupont Circle, Georgetown, Capitol Hill, Columbia Heights, Kalorama Heights, West End, Logan Circle, Woodley Park and surrounding DC neighborhoods.
Contact Beverly Pediatric Dentistry to schedule your child’s dental exam and cleaning today! We are here to provide outstanding preventative care and tips on maintaining your child’s oral health. Dr. Mohammadi and our team look forward to working alongside you to ensure your child enjoys a lifetime of healthy smiles!
Frequently Asked Questions About Children’s Teeth Cleaning
How often should children get their teeth cleaned?
Most children should receive professional dental cleanings and exams every six months to help prevent cavities and monitor oral development.
At what age should my child start dental cleanings?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends scheduling a child’s first dental visit by their first birthday or within six months of the first tooth erupting.
Are dental cleanings safe for toddlers?
Yes. Pediatric dental cleanings are gentle, safe, and designed specifically for young children and toddlers.
Do teens still need professional teeth cleanings?
Absolutely. Teens are at increased risk for plaque buildup, cavities, and gum inflammation, especially during orthodontic treatment.
What happens during a pediatric dental cleaning?
A routine cleaning may include a dental exam, digital x-rays if needed, plaque and tartar removal, polishing, flossing, fluoride treatment, and oral hygiene guidance.