Our office is equipped with a special kids' corner including video games, TV with kids movies, and toys from the treasure box. Each visit is guaranteed to be fun and interactive with a ride in the 'magic' chair.

Sedation Dentistry - City Parent Article

For a child, visiting the dentist can be stressful. Just sitting for any length of time is a challenge for some kids. Parents who may be reticent for their child to see a dentist regularly due to these factors may find relief in sedation dentistry...

How to Get Kids Brushing by: Alyson Schafer

We’re told by dentists that it’s important to brush our tot’s teeth. What they don’t tell you is that you need the jaws of life to get in there. We’re usually so hell-bent on following doctor’s orders that our ‘life-or-death attitude’ about cavities stirs up enough resistance to make a donkey proud.

Time to get tactical!

First Visit Do's & Dont's

The Do's

Let us know about your child's special needs or medical problems before your appointment.
Take your child along on a sibling or friend's appointment so they get comfortable with the dentist and the office.
Play dentist for fun. Count your child's teeth as you shine a light on them and then let them check out yours.
Read your child a book about going to the dentist for the first time. We can suggest one.
Answer questions, but not in too much detail. Say we are going to look at your child's teeth and take some pictures with a special camera.
Get an early start to avoid rushing and do act calm, cool and collected. Otherwise your child will suspect something is wrong.

The Don'ts

Use bribery or threats and don't make the visit a very big deal. They'll know something is up.
Use scary words like hurt, shot, pull or drill. We have a special comforting vocabulary for explaining dentistry to children.
Expect perfect behaviour. If your child is afraid or shy, that's okay. If your child throws a tantrum, there's always another day.
Make the dentist out to be a bad guy. It'll just guarantee more trouble at the next appointment.

Dental Care for Children in the Greater Toronto Area

When should my child visit the dentist?

Your child's dental development begins as early as six weeks into pregnancy – a little early for brushing and flossing! But soon, usually around six to eight months after birth, tiny tooth buds will break through their gums, lower incisors first, uppers usually later.

The average child will have a full set of primary (baby or deciduous) teeth by the age of 2½ years. A child learns to eat and speak properly with the help of these first teeth. These teeth also hold space open for permanent teeth, and help the jaws find their correct alignment.

It is perfectly normal to see spaces between your child's primary teeth. In fact, children with spaces between their primary teeth are less likely to need orthodontic work later, such as braces. If your child has crowded teeth, or loses a tooth through an accident, we can help. In fact, early intervention is essential, and can often prevent the need for braces later on.

Around your child's sixth birthday, permanent teeth begin to erupt. The process varies from child to child, so don't worry if other kids your child's age have lost more or fewer teeth. Teeth usually erupt earlier in girls than in boys, and again, the lowers often come in before the uppers.

Sometimes the permanent teeth appear behind the primary teeth before the baby teeth are even loose, especially with the lower teeth. This can look like two rows of teeth. Rest assured that usually, with time, the baby teeth will be pushed out and the permanent teeth will take their place.

When your child's permanent molars come in you may want to consider dental sealants to prevent against decay.

Dental Emergency Information For Kids

Toothache

The pain of a toothache can be sharp and piercing, or more generalized and throbbing. This pain usually occurs due to tooth decay. If your child develops a toothache, you should know that the pain will likely become worse instead of better.

TIP : For temporary relief, hold a warm cloth against your child's cheek. If the area around the tooth is swollen, you can also use a cool compress intermittently.

Chipped or Broken Tooth

The best way to manage tooth fractures is to prevent them. For sports, or active play, your child should wear a professionally fitted mouthguard for protection.

TIP : If a tooth does get chipped or broken, use warm water and try to rinse out as much dirt as possible.

Knocked Out Tooth

It is essential that treatment is sought immediately to ensure the best chance of saving a permanent tooth.

TIP : First, remain calm and have your child bite on some gauze or a clean cloth to stop any bleeding. Gently rinse the tooth then remove the gauze and try to place the tooth back in place. Hold it there while you rush your child to us. If that's not possible, put the tooth in a container of milk, and bring it and your child immediately to our office.

In all dental emergencies it is crucial that your child gets to our office as quickly as possible. We can evaluate the extent of the injury, and make necessary repairs quickly and safely.