When Should My Child First See A Dentist?

We recommend scheduling an appointment with the kid’s dentist as soon as your child gets their first tooth. The Canadian Academy of Pediatric Dentistry states that children should be seen by a dentist by the time their first tooth erupts, or by their first birthday, whichever comes first.

What Should I Expect from My Child’s First Dental Appointment?

The first visit is usually relatively short and straightforward. In most cases, the pediatric dentist will focus on getting to know your child and making sure that they feel comfortable in the dental chair. At HiFive Kids Dental, we will also examine your child’s teeth, gums, and jaw to ensure healthy development. The dentist will address topics such as tooth milestones, oral hygiene, injury prevention, fluoride use, and the role of diet. We will also answer any questions you may have about caring for your child’s teeth at home.

How Can I Prepare My Child for Their Appointment?

The best way to prepare your child is by maintaining a positive attitude about the visit. Children pick up on their parents’ worries and apprehensions, and if negative comments are made about the dentist, they may preemptively fear the experience. Let your child know about the importance of oral health and how the dentist will help them do that. The first visit is relatively quick and a fun one and children really do enjoy coming to see us at HiFive Kids Dental!

How Often Should My Child Visit the Dentist?

In general, we recommend a visit every six months.

How Should I Brush My Child’s Teeth?

If your child has a few teeth, you can start gently brushing with a smear size of fluoride toothpaste. Make sure only to use a small amount, and always have your child rinse and spit out the toothpaste after brushing. You should brush your child’s teeth for them until they have developed the skill and habit to do so themselves, which usually happens by age seven.

Why Should I Care About Baby Teeth if They are Not Permanent?

This is a very common misconception. While baby teeth are not permanent, they are precursor’s to your child’s permanent teeth. If your child loses a baby tooth prematurely due to damage or decay, nearby teeth can encroach the space and lead to crooked or misplaced permanent teeth. Not taking care of baby teeth can also lead to pain and infection and effect your child’s eating and sleeping. Good habits that are built while your child has baby teeth will last into the future and allow for healthy permanent teeth!

Are you looking for a friendly and comfortable kids’ dental office in Pickering or Ajax?

Visit HiFive Kids Dental today. We are a specialty dental office designed for children. Our team of pediatric dentists is well-trained to take care of all your child’s dental needs. Call us to book an appointment– we can’t wait to meet you and your little one!

Our Blogs | Kids Dental Office Pickering

Food and How it Effects the Formation of Cavities

November 16, 2022 vanteam Kids Dentistry No comments

The formation of cavities is affected by several factors. These include the kind of food one eats certain bacteria in the mouth as well as one’s genetics. Here, we will discuss the kind of foods that can lead to the decay of teeth.

Sedation Dentistry for Kids

September 20, 2022 BreezeMaxWeb Kids Dentistry No comments

If your child needs to undergo dental treatment, sedation is an option that is often recommended by your dentist. There are different kinds of sedation used in pediatric dentistry such as nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and general anesthesia or sleep dentistry

Tooth Infection and Abscess: What to Do

July 21, 2022 BreezeMaxWeb Kids Dentistry No comments

As pediatric specialists, we often get referrals for a child who has an infection or an “abscess”. This is often seen as an emergency as a tooth abscess can be dangerous. Please read on to learn more about what an abscess is and what to do if your child has one.

What To Expect During Your Child’s First Dental Visit

May 31, 2022 BreezeMaxWeb Kids Dentistry No comments

Oral health is part of good overall health and that is why regular dental visits are important! According to the Canadian Dental Association, infants should visit a dentist by the time their first tooth erupts, or at the latest, by the first birthday. As a parent, your goal is to have your child go to the dentist before any oral problems arise. Bi-annual dental exam visits (every six months) allow the dentist to catch any issues before they become severe and help form a prevention plan for cavities.

When Should I Bring My Child to the Dentist?

May 13, 2022 BreezeMaxWeb Kids Dentistry No comments

You should take your child to the dentist around their first birthday as recommended by the Canadian Dental association. Our pediatric dentists will assess the condition of your baby’s mouth and will be able to monitor their gums and teeth to ensure that they develop strong and healthy teeth!

The goal of visiting the dentist biannually is prevention of cavities. It is also imperative to introduce your child to the dentist early on so they are comfortable with the the process and feel at ease during their visits.

Why Choose A Pediatric Dentist In Pickering

April 16, 2022 BreezeMaxWeb Pediatric Dentists No comments

Children are not small adults and have their own special unique needs that are best fulfilled by a specialist who is well equipped to treat the child. Just as you would take your child to a pediatrician or a speech pathologist or psychiatrist who is trained to treat children, its is also the case with dentistry. Pediatric dentists offer a level of expertise that is unmatched when it comes to treating your child.

Silver Diamine Fluoride

March 11, 2022 BreezeMaxWeb Kids Dentistry No comments

As a parent, you always want what is best for your child, and sometimes, that means delaying dental treatment until your child( and you!) are mentally ready for it. We have some convenient options that allow us to “ buy some time” if your child currently has some cavities but you wish to delay fillings and other restorative work for now. Let’s talk silver diamine fluoride!

Baby Tooth Root Canal

February 15, 2022 BreezeMaxWeb Kids Dentistry No comments

Have you heard of the term “baby tooth root canal” before? As a parent, the term can seem daunting, and you may wonder why your child may even need a “root canal”- it’s only a baby tooth, after all! Well, we are here to inform you that while the term may seem scary, it just means that your child’s tooth needs some nerve treatment either because the tooth has a large cavity or because the tooth has had some trauma.

Pacifiers & Thumb/finger sucking- when/how to wean?

January 9, 2022 BreezeMaxWeb Kids Dentistry No comments

Sucking at an early age is very normal for infants and is very soothing. In fact, many an ultrasound has been seen with babies sucking their digits in the womb! This kind of sucking is known as non-nutritive sucking as children do not obtain nutrition from this. Now, while this kind of sucking is beneficial at a young age, at some point, it becomes detrimental when it starts effecting the developing dentition in a harmful way. Let’s discuss some facts about soothers, thumb/finger sucking and when to wean.

Four Myths about Baby Teeth

December 24, 2021 BreezeMaxWeb Kids Dentistry No comments

Hi Everyone! Let’s talk baby teeth myths. Healthy gums and teeth are essential at any age but there are many myths and false information surrounding baby teeth that we will address here to help you learn a little bit more on this topic.

Myth 1 – You Do Not Need to worry about oral health before baby teeth erupt

This is false because you need to care for your baby’s mouth even before the teeth break through, as the mouth can be a host for several bacteria/fungus. While most babies are only drinking breast milk or formula at this age, it is very important to wipe down your baby’s gums and tongue with a soft washcloth after they drink or eat any solids. This will ensure a clean mouth free of milk residue and bacteria.