Give your child a healthy start with gentle dental care, preventive checkups, and guidance for every stage of their growing smile.
A child’s teeth do more than create a smile. They help with chewing, speaking, and the development of healthy dental habits. Regular dental visits can help identify problems early and teach children how to care for their teeth as they grow.
At 97 Smiles Ann Arbor, we’ll assess your child’s dental needs, explain any recommended treatment, and help you understand how to protect their developing smile. Whether it’s your child’s first dental visit, a routine checkup, or a concern about a cavity, we’ll help you understand the next steps.
Children’s dental needs change as baby teeth come in, permanent teeth begin to emerge, and their jaws develop. Regular visits give your dentist an opportunity to monitor these changes and address concerns as they arise.
Routine dental exams help identify early signs of tooth decay, gum problems, and other concerns. Professional cleanings remove plaque and tartar buildup that can contribute to dental problems. During your child’s visit, we’ll assess their oral health and discuss brushing, flossing, diet, and other habits that support healthy teeth. Regular visits also give you an opportunity to ask questions about your child’s dental development and home care routine.
Baby teeth can develop cavities just like permanent teeth. Preventive care helps reduce the risk of decay and supports healthier teeth as your child grows. Depending on your child’s needs, preventive care may include fluoride treatments, guidance on brushing and flossing, and advice on reducing frequent exposure to sugary foods and drinks. Your dentist can recommend an appropriate prevention plan based on your child’s age and risk of cavities.
If your child develops a cavity, treatment can help stop the decay from progressing and restore the affected tooth. The recommended treatment depends on the size and location of the cavity, whether the tooth is a baby tooth or permanent tooth, and how much healthy tooth structure remains. We’ll explain what we’ve found, why treatment may be needed, and which options are appropriate for your child.
As children grow, their mouths change. Your dentist can monitor the development of baby teeth and permanent teeth, look for crowding or bite concerns, and discuss whether an orthodontic evaluation may be helpful. Not every child needs early orthodontic treatment. Monitoring their development can help determine whether treatment is needed and when it may be appropriate.
Children can chip teeth while playing, develop sudden toothaches, or injure their mouths during sports and other activities. If your child has tooth pain, a broken tooth, or another urgent dental concern, call our office to discuss the symptoms and available appointments. If a permanent tooth is knocked out, seek immediate dental care. Handle the tooth by the crown rather than the root, and keep it moist while getting help. If your child has significant facial swelling or trouble breathing or swallowing, seek emergency medical care immediately.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends establishing a dental home when a child’s first tooth appears and no later than their first birthday.
That first visit gives you an opportunity to learn how to care for your child’s teeth, discuss feeding and brushing habits, and identify potential concerns early.
You don’t need to wait until your child has a full set of teeth or develops a toothache to schedule an appointment.
As your child grows, regular visits help your dentist monitor their oral health and adjust preventive advice as their needs change.
A child’s early dental experiences can influence how they feel about future appointments. A little preparation can help make the visit more familiar and less intimidating.
Every child responds differently. If your child feels nervous, tell the team so they can discuss how best to approach the appointment.
Knowing what to expect can help parents feel more prepared for their child’s visit.
We’ll ask about your child’s dental habits, any pain or sensitivity, previous treatment, and concerns you may have about their teeth.
The dentist will examine your child’s mouth for signs of decay, gum problems, and developmental concerns. X-rays may be recommended when needed to assess areas that can’t be seen during the examination.
We’ll explain what we find and discuss any recommended care. If your child has a cavity or another concern, we’ll explain the available treatment options and why they may be appropriate.
You’ll have an opportunity to ask questions about home care, follow-up visits, treatment timing, and costs. If treatment is needed, ask which issues require prompt attention and which can be monitored. Our goal is to help you understand your child’s oral health and make informed decisions about their care.
We understand that parents need to consider both their child’s dental health and the cost of care. Our team can help you review your insurance benefits and understand available payment options.
97 Smiles works with Medicaid, CHIP, and major dental insurance providers. Depending on the plan, providers may include Aetna, Delta Dental, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana, UnitedHealthcare, DentaQuest, Envolve, and MetLife.
Children’s dental benefits vary by plan. Medicaid and CHIP may cover many medically necessary dental services for eligible children, but specific coverage, provider participation, and authorization requirements still need to be confirmed.
Our team can help you check your benefits, understand what your plan may cover, and clarify expected out-of-pocket costs before treatment begins.
If you don’t have insurance or your plan doesn’t cover the full cost, ask about available payment arrangements. Depending on the treatment and eligibility, financing or in-house options may be available.
You can also ask about the 97 Smiles Membership Plan, with plans previously listed as starting at $97 per year. Membership is not the same as dental insurance, so check the current price, included services, and restrictions before enrolling.
Choosing a dentist for your child is about more than scheduling a cleaning. You want to understand your child’s needs, know when treatment is necessary, and feel comfortable asking questions.
Regular checkups and practical home-care guidance can help children establish habits that support their oral health as they grow.
When a dentist recommends treatment, you should understand what the problem is, why it matters, and what options are available. We’ll explain our findings and help you understand the next steps.
We’ll help you review recommended care, applicable insurance benefits, and available payment options so you can plan for your child’s dental needs.
Your child’s oral health needs will change as baby teeth give way to permanent teeth. Regular visits help monitor those changes and identify concerns that may need attention.
97 Smiles is located at 3174 Packard St, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. Call to ask about children’s dental services and appointment availability.
Routine dental visits can help your child build good habits, protect developing teeth, and address problems before they become more complicated.
At 97 Smiles Ann Arbor, we’ll help you understand your child’s dental needs and the next steps for their care.
97 Smiles Ann Arbor
3174 Packard St
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
Phone: (734) 316-9707
Still have a question? Our Ann Arbor team is happy to help.
Your child should visit a dentist when their first tooth appears and no later than their first birthday. Early visits help establish good oral hygiene habits and allow the dentist to monitor development.
Many children benefit from checkups every six months, but the right interval depends on their oral health and risk of cavities. Your dentist may recommend more frequent visits if your child needs additional monitoring or preventive care.
Yes. Baby teeth help children chew, speak, and maintain space for permanent teeth. Untreated decay can cause pain, infection, and other problems, so your dentist should assess cavities even when the affected tooth is temporary.
Help your child brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, supervise brushing until they can clean their teeth effectively, and encourage daily cleaning between teeth when appropriate. Limiting frequent sugary snacks and drinks and keeping regular dental appointments can also help reduce cavity risk.
Tell the dental team about your child’s concerns before the visit. Simple explanations, a calm approach, and age-appropriate communication may help make the experience easier. If your child has significant dental anxiety, ask what support options are available at the office.
Medicaid and CHIP provide dental benefits for eligible children, but coverage details and provider participation vary. Contact our office to ask about accepted plans and confirm your child’s benefits before treatment.
97 Smiles lists tooth-colored fillings among its restorative services. Contact the Ann Arbor office to confirm availability for your child’s age and specific dental needs.
Call a dentist promptly, especially if the pain is severe, persistent, or accompanied by swelling or fever. If your child has difficulty breathing or swallowing, seek emergency medical care immediately.