
A Lifetime of Smiles Starts with a Good Foundation
Give your kids a great start in building good oral hygiene habits and monitoring their progress as they grow into their beautiful smiles. We understand how challenging and rewarding family care can be, and kids need special consideration. Having a healthy smile is an important part of childhood, so let’s get them started on the right path with guidance tailored to their needs.
Getting Ready for Your First Appointment
Feel free to talk to your child about the upcoming trip to the dentist. The main purpose of your child’s first visit is to relax, have some fun, and begin developing a positive relationship with the dentist. Sometimes, not knowing what to expect can make people feel a little nervous. Here’s what your child can expect during their first appointment:
Talk and Listen
We will talk to you and your child, explain what we’re going to do and why, and introduce your child to some of the tools we use. We speak in kid friendly language and explain any terms, so they feel as comfortable and reassured as possible. See, we’re not so scary after all!
Gently Examine
We will gently examine your child’s gums, tongue, teeth, and overall health. The exam will help us identify any areas of concern or spots that may need extra attention at home. We will provide you with personalized guidance and make a note to address these spots during future appointments.
Educate
We might ask your child to show us how they brush their teeth and offer gentle instructions on how to improve their brushing habits at home. We would love to answer any questions you or your child have about dental health.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your child will start cutting their first teeth around 6 months of age. It is recommended that children visit the dentist by the age of 1 or within 6 months of getting their first tooth. If you notice any discomfort or suspect something might be wrong, please book an appointment as soon as possible. It’s never too late for your child to have their first dental visit.
Baby teeth are just as important as adult teeth. Parents should understand that baby teeth do much more than hold space for permanent teeth. They affect how your child’s face develops, how they smile, and how often they smile. Children who are free to develop confidence and smile broadly in their early years tend to keep those habits. Dental pain, even mild pain that children learn to tolerate, can have a lasting negative impact on their eating habits, including how they chew, the types of food they prefer, and how much they eat.
The length of the appointment depends on your child’s needs and how cooperative they are during the exam. On average, an appointment lasts about one hour.
After the first appointment, your child should visit the dentist as often as you do. We recommend a checkup and cleaning every 6 months, unless otherwise specified. If your child has a tooth or jaw ache, rubs or nurses their jaw a lot, or avoids hard or cold foods, please book an appointment sooner.
Your mouth isn’t just about your teeth. It’s a whole system that includes your teeth, tongue, gums, cheeks, glands, ligaments, joints, bone, and more. When one part of your oral health suffers, the whole mouth can be affected. Swollen, itchy, sore, or bleeding gums can be an early indicator of a much more serious problem. A North York Dentist can help monitor and maintain your child’s overall oral health.