Your First Visit & FAQ in Etobicoke

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.

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.

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. Sticky candies and sweet drinks are very likely to contribute to cavities.

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.

Paediatric dental X-rays are a very important dental diagnostic tool. X-rays are used for many reasons, such as detecting dental decay, detecting bone diseases, and helping assess developmental tooth defects and anomalies. Without dental X-rays, the dentist is not able to complete their examination fully. We use digital radiography and follow the ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) principle for the safety of the child.

Detecting dental problems early provides more effective treatment options. Delaying radiographs could lead to more significant dental damage, and consequently, the need for more invasive treatment alternatives.

Dental sealants are resin coatings placed on areas of teeth that are at risk for dental decay. Dental sealants protect teeth from food debris and plaque from getting stuck in the grooves of the teeth. If your child has dental pits (hollows) and fissures (grooves) in their back teeth, sealants can be used to help 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.

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 make sure 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.

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 right for your child.

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-bristle 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 a child has excellent attention to detail, brushing on their own may be acceptable. If your child can colour in between the lines or tie their shoes, they may be able to brush their own teeth. They may need a timer to make sure they brush long enough. If children are still not brushing for the full 2–3 minutes needed to effectively remove plaque, then they may still need parental supervision.

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.

Infants and young children may suck on their fingers, thumbs, stuffed animals 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 that 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.

Knocked-out teeth and enamel, root, and jaw fractures are considered urgent dental concerns. 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 our dentist on call at 647-613-KIDS (5437).

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 negatively, 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 about their favourite cartoon characters going to the dentist, which can help prepare them for their visit. Sometimes, a visit to the office before their visit can be helpful. We also have a desensitization program that is very successful for children with severe anxiety and or behavioural concerns.