Dental Exams & Cleanings In Plaza Midwood, NC
Our pediatric dental practice — with offices in Plaza Midwood, Ayrsley, and Indian Trail — is committed to providing your family with safe, gentle, high-quality dental care in a welcoming environment where children feel genuinely at ease. We understand that some children feel anxious about the dentist — our entire team is trained in child-centered communication and behavior guidance to make every visit as comfortable as possible. Regular exams and cleanings every six months are the foundation of your child’s long-term oral health, and we are here to make that easy for your family.
- Most major insurance accepted
- NC Medicaid provider
- In-house dental savings plan
- All major credit cards
Since 2014
Serving Charlotte families
3 Offices
Plaza Midwood, Ayrsley & Indian Trail
Every 6 Mo
Recommended checkup schedule
NC
Medicaid accepted
Preventing Problems Before They Start
The health of your child’s teeth and mouth is directly connected to the well-being of their entire body. While daily brushing and flossing at home are essential, professional exams and cleanings go further — removing hardened plaque that home care cannot reach and catching early signs of problems that would be invisible to a parent.
The American Dental Association recommends a dental visit every six months for most children. At each visit your child can expect to:
- Have plaque and tartar removed professionally from all tooth surfaces and the gumline
- Receive an assessment of bite development, spacing, and emerging teeth
- Get age-appropriate fluoride varnish applied to strengthen enamel
- Receive personalized brushing and flossing coaching tailored to their age and technique
- Have any early signs of decay, gum issues, or development concerns identified and addressed before they become larger problems
What to Expect at Your Child’s Visit
Every checkup at All Kids Pediatric Dentistry follows a consistent, child-friendly process designed to be thorough, efficient, and comfortable. Here’s what happens at each visit:
1
X-Rays (When Due)
Digital X-rays taken at appropriate intervals to detect problems between teeth and below the gumline — up to 90% less radiation than traditional film.
2
Professional Cleaning
Scaling removes hardened tartar that home brushing leaves behind. Polishing smooths enamel surfaces to make future plaque buildup harder.
3
Full Dental Exam
Our pediatric dentist examines all teeth, gums, bite alignment, and soft tissue. We check for decay, development concerns, and any early signs of problems.
4
Fluoride Varnish
Fluoride varnish is applied to all tooth surfaces at every preventive visit — quick, painless, and one of the most effective cavity prevention tools available.
5
Parent Briefing
We walk you through findings, answer questions, and provide personalized home care guidance — in English, Spanish, Russian, or Portuguese.
Atención en Español Disponible
Atención en Español Disponible
¿Prefieres información en español? Nuestros dentistas pediátricos y personal hablan español con fluidez. Haga clic aquí para ver esta página en español.
Pediatric and Family Dentistry Financing Available
Gentle, comprehensive dental care for children with flexible payment options for growing families.
The Importance of a Pediatric Dental Exam
A pediatric dental exam is a critical part of your child’s preventive health care. At All Kids Pediatric Dentistry, the first dental visit is recommended around your child’s first birthday or when the first tooth appears — whichever comes first. This early visit establishes a positive relationship with the dentist, gets your child comfortable with the experience, and allows our pediatric dentists to assess your child’s oral development from the very start.
For families in Plaza Midwood, Ayrsley, and Indian Trail, regular exams are the most reliable way to catch dental issues before they develop into serious problems. Our team will check for signs of decay, gum disease, improper bite development, and anything else that could affect your child’s smile. Early detection means simpler, less expensive treatment — and far fewer surprises. Exams are also when we can prevent future problems by applying fluoride and recommending sealants for high-risk teeth.
The Dental Exam Process
During your child’s exam, our pediatric dentists will carefully inspect all teeth and gums for signs of decay, gum disease, and developmental concerns. The exam typically includes a visual and tactile inspection of all tooth surfaces, gum tissue, and soft tissue in the mouth.
For most children, digital X-rays are taken at certain intervals to detect problems between the teeth and below the gumline that are not visible during a physical exam. Our digital X-ray system uses up to 90% less radiation than traditional film X-rays, making it one of the safest imaging options available. Results appear on-screen immediately so we can review findings with you during the same visit.
Pediatric Dental Cleaning: What to Expect
Even the most diligent brushing at home leaves behind plaque in areas that toothbrushes cannot reach effectively — particularly between teeth and along the gumline. Over time, this plaque hardens into tartar, which can only be removed with professional tools.
During a professional cleaning, our hygienists use specialized instruments to scale away tartar from all tooth surfaces and below the gumline, then polish the teeth with prophylaxis paste to remove staining and leave the enamel surface smooth. The smooth surface also makes it harder for bacteria to adhere, helping to reduce future plaque buildup. We finish by flossing all contacts and applying fluoride varnish as part of every preventive visit.
The Role of Patient Education in Oral Health
Every visit to All Kids Pediatric Dentistry includes individualized guidance for both you and your child. Our team will assess your child’s current brushing and flossing technique, demonstrate better methods where needed, and give age-appropriate advice your child can actually follow.
For parents, we discuss diet, sippy cup habits, pacifier use for younger children, sports mouthguard recommendations for older children, and any nutritional patterns that may be increasing cavity risk. If your child has a history of decay or gum issues, we provide specific home care protocols. Our multilingual team — fluent in Spanish, Russian, and Portuguese — ensures these conversations are clear and useful for every family.
Benefits of Regular Dental Visits for Your Child
Routine dental checkups catch problems at their smallest and most treatable stage. A cavity found at an early exam may need only a small composite filling — while the same cavity left to progress can require a crown, a pulp treatment, or even an extraction. Beyond cavities, regular visits allow our team to track bite development, identify crowding or spacing concerns before orthodontic issues become serious, and build a complete picture of your child’s oral health over time.
Children who visit the dentist regularly also tend to develop healthier attitudes about dental care. Familiarity reduces anxiety, and children who see the dentist as a normal part of life are more likely to prioritize their oral health as teenagers and adults.
Oral Health and Preventing Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is one of the most common preventable childhood diseases — more common than asthma in school-age children. The American Dental Association reports that more than 40% of children experience tooth decay by kindergarten. At All Kids Pediatric Dentistry, every exam includes a comprehensive decay risk assessment, and every visit includes fluoride varnish application as a standard preventive measure. For children at elevated risk, we may also recommend dental sealants on the back molars, dietary guidance, and a more frequent checkup schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should my child have a dental exam and cleaning?
The American Dental Association recommends a dental exam and cleaning every six months for most children. Some children at higher cavity risk may benefit from more frequent visits — our team will advise you on the right schedule based on your child’s individual oral health history and risk factors.
When should my child have their first dental exam?
We recommend scheduling your child’s first dental exam around their first birthday, or as soon as their first tooth appears. This early visit establishes a positive relationship with the dentist, allows us to assess early development, and gives parents personalized guidance on home care for infants and toddlers. Early visits help prevent the fear and anxiety that can develop when a child’s first dental experience involves a problem rather than a routine checkup.
What can happen if my child skips regular dental checkups?
Dental problems that are small and easy to treat can progress significantly between visits. A small cavity can develop into a larger one requiring a filling, then a crown, or in more serious cases pulp treatment. Gum inflammation that is caught early is reversed with a simple cleaning and improved home care — left unaddressed, it can develop into periodontal disease that is harder to treat. Bite and spacing issues caught during regular exams can often be addressed with simple interventions; the same issues found late may require more complex orthodontic treatment.
Does All Kids Pediatric Dentistry accept insurance for exams and cleanings?
Yes. We accept virtually all PPO insurance plans, NC Medicaid, TRICARE, VA dental benefits, HSA and FSA funds, and our in-house dental savings plan for families without coverage. Preventive care including exams and cleanings is typically covered at 100% by most dental insurance plans. Call any of our offices and our team will confirm your benefits before your child’s visit — no surprises.
If it’s been six months or more since your child’s last dental checkup, then it’s time to contact our practice and schedule an appointment!
Call your nearest All Kids Pediatric Dentistry location: (980) 263-2330 Arrowood/Ayrsley | (980) 425-3100 Plaza Midwood | (704) 684-4451 Indian Trail
We Can’t Wait To Meet You
Please use the form below to schedule your appointment with us. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can schedule through our online chat or by calling or texting the office.
We Can’t Wait To Meet You
Please use the form below to schedule your appointment with us. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can schedule through our online chat or by calling or texting the office.
