Your First Visit

Your Child’s First Dental Visit

Thank you for considering The Children’s Dental Centre as your child’s dental home. As your child’s trusted dental specialists, we will help them establish a lifetime of good oral health habits. We also help to educate parents on potential and anticipated dental issues as their children grow, provide preventive and urgent dental care, and overall oral health care.

The purpose of an initial visit is to create a rapport with your child based on trust. Here they will learn that we are compassionate, truthful and patient. We understand some kids get more anxious than others, but we assure you that we are trained for any uneasy moments.

We also know that your child’s visit to our office may actually cause some anxiety for you too! As parents, we have many concerns about how our child may or may not be able to cope during an appointment. We will also help you in an encouraging, safe and friendly way to get through this time. Every person on our team is here to help support you with whatever you may need.

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Feeling Nervous About the First Visit?

We understand parents have many concerns about how their child may or may not feel during their first appointment with a dentist. Even if your child is not a toddler, dental anxiety can be very common, and for some children, dental anxiety can turn into a dental phobia.

During your appointment, our team will help you in an encouraging, safe, and friendly way. As paediatric dentists, our goal is to create a positive first experience that can lead to future enjoyable dental visits.

Preparing for Your Child’s First Visit

As your child’s trusted dental specialists, we want to help them build a lifetime of good dental habits. We also help parents learn more about potential and anticipated dental issues as their children grow, and provide preventive and urgent dental care and general oral health care.

We understand some kids get more anxious than others, but there is no need to worry! We are trained for uneasy moments.

Your child’s first visit to our office may actually cause some anxiety for you, too! Every person on our team is here to support you in any way you need.

What to Expect

The visit will start with a “caries risk assessment” to determine whether your child’s teeth show early signs of cavities. You will also be given oral hygiene instructions and guidance regarding diet, nutrition, and oral habits, such as thumb sucking or soother use.

After the first visit, we typically schedule regular checkups every 6 months. It is important to remember that dental issues can escalate quickly in children, which is why regular appointments are vital at a young age.

If you feel that your child could benefit from a complimentary tour of our friendly office before their first visit, please give us a call.

FAQ

At what age should I first bring my child to the dentist?

As paediatric dentists with special expertise regarding children’s dentistry, we recommend scheduling your child’s first dental visit when their first baby tooth comes in or after your child’s first birthday, whichever comes first.

How often should I change my child’s toothbrush?

We recommend that you change your child’s toothbrush every 3 months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed.

You should also consider where you place their brush for storage. You may not want to store it on the countertop in the washroom as the bristles could become contaminated with unwanted bacteria. Your children should not share a toothbrush with you or their siblings either, as sharing a toothbrush can spread oral bacteria.

My kids love sweets! Do I have to remove all sweets to avoid cavities?

Once in a while, we all need a treat. Everything in moderation is the key! Certain foods are more likely to cause cavities than others. Sweet snacks such as candy, dried fruits, and jelly beans are among the most likely to cause cavities and should be avoided.

Healthy snacks such as fresh fruit, veggies, nuts, and dry granola are great everyday choices, as they are some of the least likely foods to cause cavities.Check out Canada’s Food Guide for more recommendations.

Does my child really need X-rays? Are X-rays safe?

Paediatric X-rays are a very important dental diagnostic tool. We use X-rays for many reasons, such as detecting dental decay, detecting bone diseases, and helping assess developmental tooth defects and anomalies.

It is best to detect dental problems early, as many treatment options are more effective at this stage. Delaying radiographs could lead to more significant dental damage, and consequently, the need for more invasive treatment alternatives.

What are dental sealants, and how can sealants benefit my child?

Dental sealants are resin coatings placed on the biting surfaces of the back teeth to protect them from food debris, plaque, and dental decay. If your child has dental pits (hollows) and fissures (grooves) on their back teeth, sealants can be used to prevent cavities.

Careful tooth assessment is performed prior to the recommendation of sealants. Sealant success and longevity can be affected by many factors, but with proper dental care and diet, they can last for years.

Should we consider a mouthguard for our child who plays a sport?

Mouthguards are used to protect teeth during sports that could potentially cause a mouth or tooth injury. They cover the upper teeth and are designed to prevent fractures and injury.

We recommend custom-made mouthguards, as they help ensure your child’s mouthguard fits properly for maximum protection. Mouthguards may, at times, need to be replaced. We will advise you when it appears that your child’s mouthguard is no longer effective and needs replacing.

Is sedation dentistry available?

We offer numerous types of sedation, such as nitrous oxide (laughing gas), oral conscious sedation, in-office general anaesthesia and outpatient hospital general anaesthesia. We will have a lengthy and thorough conversation about all of the sedation options available, and you, the parent, will decide what is best for your child.

When do I start using toothpaste?

Starting at birth, you can clean your child’s gums with a soft infant toothbrush or cloth and water. As soon as their baby teeth appear, use a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste on a soft-bristled brush twice a day. Do not use a cloth at this point.

We will give you a soft, age-appropriate sized toothbrush at your first visit with us. Once children are 3–6 years old, the amount of toothpaste can be increased slightly, but it should still be no larger than a grain of rice.

When can I stop brushing my child’s teeth and let them take responsibility?

You know your child better than anyone. If you feel they are old enough and attentive to detail, brushing on their own may be acceptable. If your older child is still not brushing for the full 3 minutes needed to effectively remove plaque, then you may still need to supervise their brushing and flossing.

How do I know if my child has a cavity?

If you see holes in your child’s teeth, white or dark spots on the surface of their teeth, or your child complains of pain while chewing or tooth sensitivity when eating cold or sweet foods, they may have a cavity.

Some children may have cavities in their teeth but not show any symptoms, as it can take months for cavities to become large enough to be noticeable. Dental X-rays are very important for detecting cavities in these situations.

Is thumb sucking or pacifier use harmful for teeth?

Infants and young children may suck on their fingers or pacifiers. This behaviour is referred to as non-nutritive sucking.

Non-nutritive sucking can cause children’s teeth to move out of alignment and affect their bite. The frequency, duration, and intensity of the sucking can determine whether or not dental issues may occur.

The good news is if the habit is stopped early enough, the affected bite may self-correct or result in a less severe orthodontic issue. We can help guide you, offer advice, and provide treatment options to help stop the habit.

What do we do if our child falls and has a mouth or tooth injury?

Knocked-out teeth and enamel, root, and jaw fractures are considered dental emergencies. If your child has suffered a head injury at the time of the dental trauma, please consider a medical evaluation at a hospital emergency room before contacting us.

However, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can make appropriate dental recommendations in a timely manner. If the injury occurs after hours, please page the dentist on call at 647-613-KIDS (5437).

My child is scared of going to the dentist. What should I do?

Anxiety related to dentistry is a challenge for many children. We recommend that you be transparent and clear with your child about their upcoming dental appointments. Avoid speaking about dental experiences in a negative way and try not to surprise your child in the parking lot of our office, which could create a negative expectation and experience before we even get a chance to meet your child.

You could also share books and videos with your child of their favourite cartoon characters going to the dentist, which can help prepare them for their visit.

Parent Resources

Here are a few helpful links you can use as resources to support your child’s oral health:

Plus, we are more than happy to answer any questions you have about your child’s oral health. At The Children’s Dental Centre, we are always here for you!

TCDC COVID-COLD-FLU Office Protocols

Please note that our guidelines may differ from non-healthcare settings. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Please ensure you have read this document prior to your child’s appointment.

Our waiting room is mask friendly, but anyone entering our clincal area must wear a mask. Thank you!

You will continue to find us wearing PPE.
Please confirm with your provider that your child is well and free from symptoms of covid, cold or flu.
Arrive 10 minutes prior to your appointment to allow for screening time.
Upon arrival, please register at the front reception desk.
Upon arrival to the office front door, please use the hand sanitizer.

Our Location

Dr. Masse and her team are available even when their office is closed. You can reach us by calling the emergency number 647-613-5437 at any time. Urgent dental issues typically include recent injuries to the mouth and/or teeth, tooth pain, swollen face from a tooth infection, fractured teeth or post-surgical inquiries. It is helpful to have photos of the dental issue, so you may want to take a few pictures with your phone and have them ready to send to us before calling. We know it’s not always easy to get a photograph, but just try your best.