Pediatric dental services
Preventive Dentistry for Kids in Sacramento
Most cavities can be prevented. At Kids Dentist Plus, preventive care is the heart of every visit, from a baby's first checkup to a teen's cleanings, at offices across the Sacramento area.
Medi-Cal accepted
Most cavities can be prevented
Preventive care is the heart of every visit.
Why prevention matters
Cavities are one of the most common chronic conditions of childhood, yet most of them can be prevented. Regular checkups, fluoride and sealants help stop problems before they start, so your child spends less time in the dental chair and more time smiling.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a first dental visit by age one and regular checkups after that, usually every six months. Children who are more prone to cavities may benefit from more frequent visits, and your child's dentist will let you know.
What preventive care includes
Every preventive visit is tailored to your child's age and risk for cavities.
Exams and cleanings
A gentle exam of the teeth, gums and bite, plus a cleaning to remove the plaque and tartar that brushing misses.
Fluoride treatments
A quick, comfortable treatment that strengthens enamel and can help reverse early soft spots before they become cavities.
Dental sealants
Thin protective coatings on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, where most children's cavities start. No shots or drilling.
X-rays when needed
Dental X-rays use very little radiation. We take them only when they're needed to find problems an exam can't show.
A prevention timeline for growing smiles
- First tooth to age 1: the first dental visit, fluoride, and coaching for parents on bottles and teething.
- Ages 1–5: checkups and cleanings about every six months, with a parent helping brush twice a day.
- Around age 6: sealants on the first permanent molars.
- Around age 12: sealants on the second permanent molars.
- Teens: cleanings, advice on sports mouthguards and monitoring wisdom teeth as they develop.
At home, brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing once teeth touch and choosing water between meals make every checkup go better.
Insurance and Medi-Cal
Preventive care is usually covered by dental insurance. For Medi-Cal members under 21, checkups and cleanings every six months, fluoride treatments and sealants on permanent molars are generally covered.
Read our Medi-Cal dental guide, or call (916) 226-6767 and we'll check your child's coverage.
Preventive dentistry FAQs
How often should my child have a dental checkup?
Most children should see the dentist about every six months. Children at higher risk for cavities may need more frequent visits.
Are dental sealants worth it?
Yes. Sealants protect the deep grooves of the back teeth, where most cavities in children begin, and they're quick to apply, with no shots or drilling.
Is fluoride safe for kids?
Yes, in the amounts dentists recommend. Use a rice-grain-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste for children under 3 and a pea-sized amount for ages 3 to 6.
Are dental X-rays safe for children?
Dental X-rays use a very small amount of radiation. Your child's dentist recommends them only when needed to find problems that can't be seen during the exam.
When should my child have their first dental visit?
Within six months of the first tooth coming in, and no later than the first birthday, as the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends.
Preventive care at every office
Book a checkup and cleaning at the office closest to you:
Schedule your child's checkup
Call (916) 226-6767 or register online.