What to Expect at Your Child’s Routine Cleaning and Dental Exam

Whether it’s your child’s very first dental visit or just another checkup, knowing what to expect can make the experience smoother (and a lot less stressful!) for both of you. At Happy Campers Pediatric Dentistry in Albuquerque, NM, Dr. Jung Lee Nouri — known to patients as Dr. Lee — loves helping kids build healthy habits and positive feelings about visiting the dentist.

Our team’s goal? To make every appointment feel relaxed, educational, and even a little fun.

A Warm Welcome and Friendly Start

When you arrive, you’ll be greeted by our cheerful team and invited to settle in while your child gets comfortable. We know new environments can feel unfamiliar, so we take our time to help kids feel safe — answering questions, showing them the tools we’ll use, and explaining everything in age-appropriate ways.

You’ll often see little patients smiling, asking curious questions, and learning about their teeth along the way — which helps build confidence and trust for future visits.

Gentle, Thorough Cleaning

Once your child is ready, one of our hygienists will gently clean their teeth. We remove soft buildup (plaque) and any hardened tartar that regular brushing can miss. Then we polish their teeth so they leave with a smooth, shiny smile — kids usually love how “slippery” their teeth feel afterward!

For younger patients, we always go at their pace. Sometimes that means starting with a simple “tooth counting” visit before moving to a full cleaning next time — and that’s perfectly okay. The goal is comfort first, care second.

Pediatric Dental Exam

After the cleaning, Dr. Lee will carefully examine your child’s teeth, gums, and bite. We look for early signs of cavities, monitor how their teeth are developing, and make sure everything is growing in the right direction.

If X-rays are needed, we’ll explain the process in simple, kid-friendly terms before taking them. We use digital X-rays, which emit very low radiation and are safe for children. These images help us see areas between teeth and below the gums that aren’t visible during a regular exam — especially helpful for checking how adult teeth are forming or catching small cavities early.

This is also a great time for parents to ask questions — whether it’s about brushing technique, thumb-sucking, pacifier use, or how to make flossing easier at home.

Finishing Touches: Fluoride & Fun

Most children will receive a fluoride treatment to strengthen enamel and protect against cavities between visits. It’s quick, painless, and comes in kid-approved flavors.

Then comes the best part — your child gets to choose a sticker or prize, leaving with a clean mouth and a proud smile.

Creating Positive Habits Early

Routine visits every six months help keep your child’s smile healthy and allow Dr. Lee to catch small issues before they turn into bigger ones. Just as importantly, they teach kids that the dentist’s office can be a friendly and positive place — one where they can take pride in caring for their teeth.

Schedule Your Child’s Next Checkup at Happy Campers Pediatric Dentistry

At Happy Campers Pediatric Dentistry, we make every visit comfortable, encouraging, and tailored to your child’s needs. Whether it’s their very first appointment or a regular checkup, Dr. Lee and our friendly team are here to guide your child toward a lifetime of healthy, confident smiles.

Schedule your child’s next dental cleaning and exam today — and help them build healthy habits that last well beyond childhood.

Categorised in: Dental Cleanings