When should your child first visit the dentist?
The Canadian Dental Association recommends that infants be assessed by a dentist within 6 months following eruption of their first tooth or by one year of age. The goalis to have your child visit the dentist before there is a problem with his or her teeth. A dental examination every six months is the best way for your child’s dentist to diagnose small problems early.

Why take your child to the dentist at this age?

• Learn important tips for oral hygiene for kids and prevention of decay.
• Get the child used to the dental office and make sure it is a positive experience.
• Identify if there are any dental concerns that need to be addressed.

What your child’s first visit to the dentist will be like:

• We want to make your child’s first visit short and simple (20 min) to give them a very positive first experience.
• We want to make sure they develop a positive outlook about their dental health that will last a lifetime.
• Dr. Stein or Dr. Waksman will introduce them to the dental office.
• We will review their current oral hygiene regimen.
• We will answer your questions about your child’s teeth.
• We will perform a dental exam by “counting your child’s teeth” and checking for cavities, abnormalities and tooth misalignment.
• We will review proper oral hygiene technique and how to prevent cavities.
• We will teach you age appropriate “tricks” to make brushing and flossing easy and fun at home.
• We will create an individualized re-care plan for your child.
• We will give your child stickers and a “goodie bag” of dental treats to take home.
• We often perform a child’s first cleaning at a separate appointment to prevent overwhelming them with too many new things on their first visit.

When does oral hygiene begin for kids?

• Before baby teeth erupt, wipe your child’s gums with a soft cloth 1 – 2 times per day so they can become used to having something in their mouth.
• Once the first baby tooth erupts (6 months of age), brush with an extra soft baby toothbrush and water or toothpaste without fluoride.
• Begin flossing as soon as there are no spaces between the baby teeth. Children will often need their parents’ help to floss.
• We recommend allowing children a chance to brush their own teeth first and then having them re-brushed by their parents to ensure the teeth are properly cleaned.
• Once the child is able to rinse, a “pea-sized” amount of children’s fluoridated toothpaste can be placed on the brush.

Importance of Baby Teeth

• Dental decay is the second most common reason for children to miss school.
• Dental decay can be prevented by:
• Good oral hygiene at home by brushing 2x/day with fluoridated toothpaste and flossing at least 1x/day.
• Limiting sugar intake.
• Regularly visiting your dentist.
• Primary teeth (baby teeth) fall out between the ages of 6 – 13 years. Infection in primary teeth can affect developing permanent (adult) teeth, leaving them malformed or spotted.
• Primary teeth maintain spacing in the dental arch for adult teeth. Missing primary teeth can lead to spacing problems when adult teeth erupt.

What happens if a baby tooth has to be extracted early?

When a tooth is extracted, neighbouring teeth can shift over time into that
space, preventing adult teeth from erupting. When a baby tooth is extracted prematurely, we can place a space maintainer to prevent adjacent teeth from shifting. This is a minimally invasive and pain free procedure. The appliance is then monitored at each visit and removed when the adult tooth starts erupting.

For more information about children’s
dentistry, or to book an appointment, please call our Scarborough Centenary Dental office today at 416-281-4746.