The Difference Pediatric Dentistry Makes
It’s our goal to start children off on the right foot with kid friendly pediatric dental care that builds a positive relationship between the dental team and the little patient. This approach helps kids feel engaged and empowered to care for their own oral health. Happy, healthy habits set the tone for a lifetime of dental care that they actually look forward to.
Pediatric dental care begins from the very first appointment, through kid friendly routine teeth cleanings, and continues with every milestone your child reaches. We are happy to support these little patients as they discover their new teeth, lose baby teeth, grow adult teeth, and experience other shared milestones, such as getting a filling or opting for orthodontics in their teenage years.
Why Is Children’s Dental Care So Important?
Believe it or not, some people ask why children’s dental care is important since primary teeth fall out anyway! Most children have their baby teeth by age 3. This first set of teeth begins to fall out by age 6, and by their early teens, they have all their adult teeth, except for wisdom teeth. Children gain and lose their primary teeth during their formative years, and the state of their dental health has long reaching consequences.
Poor Dental Health Hurts
Just like adults, children are at risk of tooth decay, tooth sensitivity, infections, and gum disease. Without a frame of reference, children tend to normalize pain and discomfort, but they still feel it just the same. If your child avoids hot and cold foods and drinks, chewy foods, or only chews on one side of their mouth, they may be trying to cope with dental pain or sensitivity.
Baby Teeth Set the Stage for Adult Teeth
When a baby tooth loosens and falls out, the root is reabsorbed, and the space left behind guides the replacement adult teeth. Prematurely extracting a baby tooth can cause problems, such as unexpected crowding or crooked adult teeth. Maintaining strong, healthy baby teeth and healthy supportive tissue and gums gives adult teeth their strongest start.
The Cornerstone of Confidence
A full set of healthy teeth is essential for children learning how to speak and smile. From a very young age, children begin to form attachments and social skills. Dental complications, pain, or sensitivity can impact how they express themselves and how they are perceived by their peers.
Good Eating Habits for Growing Bodies
A variety of foods is especially important for children and can be challenging enough for parents of picky eaters. Children with dental discomfort or pain may avoid crunchy, chewy, or textured foods. They may start lifelong habits of eating only on one side of their mouth or avoid eating altogether.
Your Child’s First Appointment
For patients of all ages, our ultimate goal is your health, comfort, and satisfaction. In pediatric dentistry, special attention is given to the challenges young patients face when sitting in the chair. We monitor children specific oral health markers and milestones, and we will communicate with your child in a kid friendly way that makes them feel safe and engaged.
Show and Tell
Some kids are adventurous explorers with a million questions, while others feel bashful and anxious about new experiences. We want all kids to feel safe, engaged, and positive about visiting the dentist. We start each appointment by hearing their thoughts and concerns and explaining what we plan to do, answering any questions they have.
Gentle Examination
With special attention paid to children specific oral health markers, we will gently examine your child’s gums, tongue, teeth, and overall health. During the exam, we’ll track the progress of their primary and adult teeth. We will identify any areas of concern or spots that may need extra attention at home or during future appointments.
Keeping You in the Loop
After the exam, we’ll provide advice for both the young patient and their parent or guardian. Sometimes, we have additional tips for brushing hard to reach spots at home. We’ll inform you of any problem areas we plan to monitor and what to look out for between appointments. Together, we make a great team!
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
Pediatric dentists specialize in dental care for children from infancy through their teen years. They have the experience and training to care for the many changes children’s mouths go through as they grow into their adult teeth.
Your child will start cutting their first teeth around 6 months old. It is recommended that children visit the dentist by age 1 or within 6 months of getting their first tooth. If you suspect something might be wrong or if your child might be experiencing discomfort, please book an appointment as soon as possible. It’s never too late for a child to have their first dental appointment.
Technically speaking, pediatric dentists care for patients until they reach the age of majority. Pediatric dentists specialize in treating children from ages 6 months to 18 years.
The general rule of thumb for how often a child should visit the dentist is the same as for adults. Generally, every 6 months unless otherwise specified by a Dentist in North York, ON. Some patients opt for every 3 months or 8 months, depending on their personal needs and budget. You shouldn’t wait more than a year between appointments. If your child is experiencing discomfort or pain, don’t wait, book an appointment now.
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