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416-252-KIDS (5437)

416-252-KIDS (5437)

FAQ

As paediatric dentists, and the specialists with respect to children’s dentistry, we recommend the first visit to the dentist occur at the appearance of your child’s first baby tooth or your child’s first birthday, whichever happens first. For more information on why dental care is crucial from an early age, please visit: http://www.mychildrensteeth.org/assets/2/7/GetItDoneInYearOne.pdf

Starting at birth, clean your child’s gums with a soft infant toothbrush or cloth and water.  Once teeth appear, always use a soft bristled brush. Do not use a cloth at this point. Parents should use a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste to brush baby teeth twice daily as soon as they erupt. We will give you a soft, age-appropriate sized toothbrush at your first visit with us to use on your child. Once children are 3 to 6 years old, then the amount of toothpaste can be increased slightly, but no more than the size of a grain of rice.

We recommend that you change your child’s toothbrush every three months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. Also consider where you place their brush for storage. You may not want to store it on the countertop in the washroom as the bristles can potentially become contaminated with unwanted bacteria. Your children should not share a toothbrush with you or their siblings as sharing a toothbrush can spread oral bacteria. 
Young children do not have the ability to brush their teeth effectively. Parents should brush for their children. Ideally, parents should brush for 3 minutes, 3 times a day for their children and floss once a day for them, ideally before bedtime. Children should spit out and not swallow excess toothpaste after brushing. Typically, when a child is attentive to detail, brushing on their own may be acceptable. You know your child better than anyone. If your older child is still not brushing for the full 3 minutes and/or not effectively removing plaque, then you may still need to supervise their brushing and flossing.
 

Once in a while, we all need a treat. Everything in moderation is the key! Here is a list of treats to avoid, and some that are acceptable in moderation. Red Light snacks should be avoided; Yellow Light snacks are acceptable in moderation and not all the time, and Green Light snacks can be good anytime as they are the least likely to cause cavities.

RED LIGHT:

  • all types of JUICE, CHOCOLATE MILK, YOGURT DRINKS and POP
  • all chewy and sticky food, such as GUMMY treats or vitamins, Fruit Roll-Ups, Fruit to Go, dried fruit, Skittles, Jolly Ranchers, jellybeans, cotton candy, caramel, granola bars /chocolate treats with sticky centres, etc.
  • Goldfish Crackers

YELLOW LIGHT:

  • plain chocolate (no sticky centres), such as Hershey’s chocolate, Kit Kat, Aero, M&M’s, Smarties, Coffee Crisp, Maltesers and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
  • cupcakes and cake
  • cookies
  • donuts
  • ice cream
  • pretzels

GREEN LIGHT:

  • fresh fruit
  • raw veggies and hummus
  • cheese
  • nuts
  • dry granola and low sugar yogurt
  • popcorn (not sticky types)

Click here to view Canada’s Food Guide: https://food-guide.canada.ca/en/

Some children may have cavities in their teeth but not show any symptoms, such as pain or swelling. It may take months for cavities to become large enough for you to notice them. You may then see holes in the teeth, white or dark spots on the enamel, and the child may complain of tooth sensitivity when eating cold or sweet foods. Pain while chewing may also indicate that cavities are present. Dental radiographs (x-rays) are very important in detecting cavities in between the teeth of children. If taking x-rays is delayed, it may delay our ability to properly diagnose your child’s condition.

Paediatric dental x-rays (radiographs) are recommended after a clinical examination has deemed them necessary. Dental radiographs are a very important diagnostic tool for the dentist. The dentist uses radiographs for many reasons such as detecting dental decay, detecting bone diseases, and helping to assess developmental tooth defects and anomalies. Radiographs are also used in evaluating dental problems due to an injury to the mouth or dental trauma, assessing erupting and developing teeth, evaluating jaw growth and development, and assessing orthodontic concerns. It is best to detect dental decay early, as conservative treatment options may be effective at this stage. Delaying radiographs could lead to more significant dental decay, pain, infections, and consequently the need for more invasive treatment alternatives. We follow the ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principle, which means the fewest number of radiographs are taken and the patient is exposed to the least amount of radiation. In our office we use digital radiography, which uses less radiation than conventional radiographs. The radiation from taking radiographs is negligible relative to the total exposure of radiation from all daily sources of radiation including environmental and manufactured sources.

Infants and young children may suck on fingers, pacifiers and other objects, which is referred to as non-nutritive sucking. It helps the child relax, as well as soothe and calm themselves. Children that have non-nutritive habits can cause their teeth to move out of alignment and affect the way their teeth bite together. The frequency, duration and intensity of the sucking habit will determine whether or not dental issues may occur. The good news is that if the habit is stopped early enough, the affected bite can self-correct or the result is a less severe orthodontic issue. We can help guide you, offer advice and provide treatment options to help stop the habit.

Dental decay is caused by bacteria and is the most common chronic childhood disease. Some people are affected by dental decay more than others. Even the best brushers and flossers can still get dental decay. Dental pits (hollows) and fissures (grooves) are present on the biting surfaces of the back teeth. Food debris and plaque can accumulate in these areas and can cause decay. Dental sealants are resin coatings placed in the pits and fissures to protect the teeth from food debris and plaque accumulation. This coating helps reduce the risk of dental decay. Sealants can be used to prevent cavities in children. Careful tooth assessment is performed prior to the recommendation of sealants. Sealant success and longevity can be affected by many factors. Sometimes sealants will need to be reapplied, but with proper dental care and diet, they can last for years.

Dental trauma such as enamel, root or jaw fractures, or when a tooth is knocked out of the mouth, are considered dental emergencies. If your child has suffered a head injury at the time of the dental trauma, please consider a medical evaluation at a hospital emergency room before contacting us. Head injuries should be cleared by a physician prior to making an appointment at our office. However, please contact us as soon as possible after the injury so that we can make appropriate dental recommendations in a timely manner. If the injury occurs after hours, please page the dentist on call at 647-613-KIDS(5437).

Mouthguards are used to protect teeth from injury during sports. Hockey, baseball, soccer and lacrosse are some examples of sports that typically require children to wear mouthguards. It is beneficial for children to wear a mouthguard for any activity that could potentially cause a mouth or tooth injury.

Mouthguards typically cover the upper teeth and are designed to protect teeth from fractures and the lips and gums from injury. Children with orthodontic appliances can also use mouthguards, but the design may be different from a conventional one. We recommend custom made mouthguards. Custom made mouthguards ensure a proper fit for maximum protection. Mouthguards may, at times, need to be replaced. We will advise you when it appears that the mouthguard is no longer effective and needs replacing.

Anxiety related to dentistry has been a challenge for many years. Even parents can retain their dental anxiety from their childhood. We find that honesty is the best policy. Be transparent and clear with your child about their upcoming dental appointments. Try not to surprise them in the parking lot of our office. It may create a negative tone before we even get a chance to meet your child.
 
You could read books and watch videos of your child’s favourite cartoon characters going to the dentist. Dora the Explorer, the Berenstain Bears and Peppa Pig all go the dentist, and their books are adorable. These books help prepare children for their dental visit and ease the fear of the unknown. Speaking about the dental office experience as a pleasant one is also a good way to start a positive mindset from an early age.
Paediatric dentists are the experts when it comes to treating children’s dental anxiety and getting dental work completed under difficult situations. Some children are not able to manage their dental appointments for many reasons. They may be anxious, may have had a difficult past dental experience, are medically compromised, or have other diverse needs that make it difficult for them to cooperate. We are trained to support and treat children in many different ways. 
 
Pharmacologic management may be a helpful option to treat your child’s dental needs safely and/or help prevent emotional trauma. In our office, we offer numerous types of sedation, such as nitrous oxide (laughing gas), oral conscious sedation, in-office general anesthesia and outpatient hospital general anesthesia. We will have a lengthy and thorough conversation about all of the sedation options, and you, as the parent, will decide what is best for your child and family.