Pediatric Dentistry in Richmond Hill, ON
A child’s first visit to the dentist should be enjoyable. Children are not born with a natural fear of the dentist, but they may fear the unknown.
Our office makes a special effort to use pleasant, non-frightening, simple words to describe each treatment. We want you and your youngster to feel at ease from the moment your family arrives at our office. The more you and your little one know about the first visit, the better you will feel.
The Canadian Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
The CAPD recommends the first dental examinantion at the time the first tooth appears, and not later than child’s first birthday. It is essential that your son or daughter’s newly-emerged teeth (which erupt between six and 12 months of age) receive proper dental care and benefit from proper oral hygiene habits right from the beginning.
Getting to know your teeth is fun!
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When new teeth arrive
Your child’s primary or “baby” teeth will begin to appear between the ages of six to 12 months, and will continue to emerge until about age three. At the time of tooth eruption, your little one’s gums may feel tender and sore. To help alleviate this discomfort, we recommend you soothe the gums by rubbing a clean finger or a cool, wet cloth across them. You may also choose to make use of a cold teething ring.
Your son or daughter’s primary teeth are shed at various times throughout childhood, and the permanent teeth begin to appear at age six, and continue until age 14 (and age 30 for wisdom teeth). Adults have 28 permanent teeth (32, including the wisdom teeth).
Adopting healthy oral hygiene habits
As your child’s teeth erupt, be sure to examine them regularly, and look for lines and discoloration that may be caused by decay. If you notice signs of decay, contact us immediately.
Brushing can be fun, and brushing for your child is recommended as soon as the first tooth arrives. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends brushing with appropriate amounts of fluoride toothpaste twice daily for all children.
We suggest reviewing proper tooth brushing procedures and fluoride toothpaste amount with Dr. Raziee. Flossing is also a part of good oral hygiene habits, and we will discuss with you the right time to start flossing your child’s teeth.
Preventing tooth decay with regular checkups
Tooth decay is caused by bacteria that can turn sugars into an acid that breaks down your teeth. Children are at high risk for tooth decay for a simple reason: many children and adolescents do not practice regular, good oral hygiene habits.
Proper brushing and flossing routines, combined with healthy diet and regular dental visits, help keep tooth decay away.
Your son or daughter should visit us at least every six months for regular dental cleanings and checkups. We recommend fluoride treatments at least twice a year, along with cleanings to keep teeth their strongest.
Tooth sealants are also recommended because they “seal ” the deep grooves in your child’s teeth, and prevent decay from forming in these hard-to-reach areas. Sealants last for several years, but will be monitored at your little one’s regular checkups.
