Preventative Dental Care for Children

As with all of our patients, we focus on preventative care. By watching their parents and practicing the behaviours they’ll need in the future, children can develop good habits early on.

Good habits start early, and kids learn by watching adults. Here’s what you can do to help your kids:

• Model good dental health habits by taking care of your own teeth and gums as detailed in our preventative dental care guide.

• Help children brush and floss daily until they can do it well on their own. (Usually when they can tie their own shoelaces.)

We know the commitment parents have to their children's health — including the challenge of brushing a toddler's teeth when they're overtired.

If you’re having trouble, Dr. Ma is always happy to talk with you about your childrens' hygiene habits as well as diet.

VIDEO: SEQUENCE OF TEETH ERUPTION

Taking the time to educate your family will help them reach their best — we hope it inspires you to have the best possible oral health too!

Practice healthy eating habits — Start with our healthy snacking guide to limit snacks and drinks that contain sugar or carbohydrates. This can have a huge impact for both kids and adults.

Protect teeth from damage — If your children play sports, provide mouth guards. Contact us if you notice any signs of nighttime teeth grinding.

Fix alignment issues early — Starting as early as age 7, childhood orthodontics can help to develop your children's jaw and facial growth to minimize future orthodontic problems and treatments.

If you have a concern before age 1, such as a toothache or anything that looks like a cavity (a hole or dark spot), contact us immediately.

Brushing and flossing are not enough. A thorough dental hygiene visit every 3-6 months is essential to maintaining your family’s oral health and defending against gum disease.

Our regular visits account for multiple aspects of your medical and oral health, including dental examinations, bacterial reduction, scaling, and polishing.

Take your kids for a dental check-up and cleaning every 6 months. At age 1 they can have their first “happy visit” to get used to the dentist. The first thing your little ones will notice is our playroom!

Our approach to dentistry for children is simple: we keep it as pleasant as possible. We use kid-friendly language and wording, minimize pain with injections, and we complete treatment quickly and efficiently.

We make things fun too, with coloured fillings (if the parent or guardian allows), and prizes at the end.