Dental Health

Children’s Dentistry

The Canadian Dental Association recommends the first dental visit should be just after your child’s first birthday. Although this may seem young, it gives the child the opportunity to feel comfortable with the sights, smells and sounds of our dental office. It will also allow time for parents to be educated about the role they play in their child’s oral health.

Tooth Decay Facts: Did you know?

  • It is the most common cause of school absenteeism
  • It is five times more common than asthma in children ages 5-17
  • It can be transmitted by sharing a spoon with young children or licking their pacifier
  • It is preventable in almost all cases

Ten tips for parents to help build healthy oral habits for their children

  1. Before your baby has teeth, wipe their gums gently with a clean wet cloth after each feeding.
  2. If your baby sleeps with a bottle or sippy cup at naptime or bedtime, fill it with water only.
  3. If your baby normally falls asleep while feeding, brush his or her teeth before feeding.
  4. Lift your child’s lip and look for lines, spots or changes in colour on their teeth, as these may be signs of potential problems.
  5. As soon as the first tooth appears, start brushing your baby’s teeth with fluoride toothpaste in the morning and before bedtime. Fluoride is a mineral that protects teeth.
  6. Put a small dab of toothpaste across a small soft brush. Wipe off excess toothpaste until the child can spit it out. Begin flossing at least once a day when your child’s teeth are touching.
  7. Change your child’s toothbrush every one to three months or immediately after an illness.
  8. Let your child watch you brushing your teeth and assist your child’s tooth brushing.
  9. To prevent spreading germs that cause tooth decay, do not put anything in your child’s mouth if it has been in your mouth. Don’t share spoons, cups, food, toothbrushes, etc.
  10. Visit your dentist by the age of one year, or when the first teeth appear. Take your child to the dentist for regular checkups to make sure there are no problems.

What should I tell my child about the first dental visit?

We suggest you prepare your child the same way that you would before their first haircut or a trip to the shoe store. Be positive and use gentle words. You can tell them we will count their teeth and polish them so they will be very shiny!

Here are some “First Visit” tips

  • Read books with them about going to the dentist
  • Review with them what the dentist will be doing at the time of the first visit
  • Speak positively about your own dental experiences
  • Show them your teeth as well as their own in a mirror

During your first visit Dr. Spencer and the hygienist will:

  • Proceed only when you are comfortable
  • Examine your mouth, teeth and gums
  • Evaluate adverse habits like thumb sucking
  • Check to see if you need fluoride
  • Teach you about cleaning your teeth and gums
  • Suggest a schedule for regular dental check ups

Timelines and patterns for tooth eruption

The most important thing to know is that there are average timelines and average patterns for tooth eruption. But every timeline, if not average, is normal.

At around 2 1/2 years old we can expect your child will have all their baby teeth. Between the ages of five and six, the first permanent teeth will begin to erupt. Some of the permanent teeth replace baby teeth as they fall out while some erupt further back in the mouth, behind all the baby teeth.

Baby teeth are important as they not only hold space for the permanent teeth, but they are important for chewing, biting, speech, and appearance. For this reason it is important to maintain a healthy diet and daily hygiene routine.