Pediatric Dentistry in North York, ON
Regular care for children is extremely important for setting a great
foundation for a lifetime of good oral hygiene and a healthy smile.
At Dr. Sara Shiewitz Dentistry, we provide dental care for the entire
family, including children and adolescents. As a North York family
dentist, Dr. Shiewitz is experienced in providing dental care for
children and strives to make these special patients feel comfortable
during their examinations and treatments.
First Visit, First Tooth
The Canadian Dental Association recommends a dental check up by age one or within six months of eruption of the first tooth.
While children do lose their “baby” teeth, or primary teeth, these teeth are instrumental in helping children speak and chew properly. Additionally, these primary teeth create a path for their permanent adult teeth to follow when they erupt. Dental checkups are also important opportunities to create a good foundation for ongoing oral hygiene and give parents the chance to ask any questions they have about a child's oral health.
You child's first
dental visit will include a thorough examination, scaling if needed,
polishing, fluoride treatment if needed, brushing and flossing
instructions, and nutritional counseling for maintaining good oral
health.
In-Office Care
Dr. Shiewitz is a general dentist with the skills and training necessary to care for children's teeth, so in most cases, sending children to a pediatric specialist is not necessary. That means that you can bring your children to your own dentist, who is well qualified to care for your child's teeth.
For children with unusual or more serious dental problems, or for those with disabilities, the specialized training of a pediatric dentist may be required. Pediatric dentists train for an extra two to three years specifically in the field of pediatric dentistry and are generally qualified to provide sedation to children when needed.
Dr. Shiewitz provides the following pediatric dental services:
- Dental examinations and X-rays
- Cleanings and oral hygiene instruction
- Fillings
- Extractions
- Pulpotomies and pulpectomies (root canal treatment for baby teeth)
In addition to general and restorative dentistry, Dr. Shiewitz may recommend further services to protect your child's oral health. Other services provided in our Toronto office include sealants, fluoride, and mouthguards.
- Preventive sealants help to protect the teeth from decay. They are made of a tooth-colored resin material and are applied to pits and grooves of permanent molar teeth.
- Fluoride treatments are also essential to preventing tooth decay for both children and adults and are part of a regular dental examination and cleaning. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that hardens tooth enamel, making the teeth less susceptible to the effects of cavity causing bacteria that live in the mouth.
- Mouthguards,
or athletic guards, may be recommended for children who are active
in sports. Mouthguards can protect the teeth from excessive wear and
tear and can prevent severe dental trauma for kids that are highly
active or athletic.
Tell-Show-Do
The Tell-Show-Do technique is based on the principles of learning theory and is extremely helpful in alleviating dental anxiety in children.
We use language appropriate for the child’s age, and tell them what we’re going to do before we do it so there are no surprises. We show them what we will do – for example, we show them the tooth polisher and the “tickle” of the polisher on their finger. We then ask them to choose one of their teeth to be polished. Once we polish one tooth, and the child feels the tickle, they generally are agreeable to proceed with the entire procedure.
Most importantly, we always praise children for every small step of progress. We engage the children in their own treatment as “helpers” by letting them push buttons to fill their own water cup or hold the saliva suction. This helps boost their confidence, helps them feel pride in their accomplishment of being at the dentist, and gives them a sense of control over the situation.
And, of course,
there is a treasure box for kids to pick a small prize at the end of
a visit!
Home Hygiene
Infant Oral Care
Parents should start cleaning the mouth very early, before teeth start to erupt. Gently wipe the gums with a damp washcloth or a very soft baby brush. If using a damp washcloth, wrap it over your index finger. Gently wipe the gums. This will help your baby get used the routine of keeping the mouth clean. Once teeth start to erupt, which is typically at the front of the mouth, continue the same routine with a soft baby brush or a damp washcloth. When molars start to erupt, use a soft baby toothbrush.
Brushing and Flossing
Brushing baby’s teeth removes dental plaque (which is a sticky mass of bacteria). Dental plaque causes dental caries (cavities) and inflamed gums. Baby teeth are important to care for. They hold space for the developing adult teeth, and are needed for proper chewing (which helps digestion) and speech development.
Toothpaste
Children should start on low dose fluoridated toothpaste when they can spit out properly. They need to be able to “swish and spit” when they rinse the mouth. Generally, this ability develops at around three years of age. Before that, any non-fluoridated children’s toothpaste is sufficient. Remember to use a very tiny amount, between the size of a grain of rice and half a pea. No need to fill the entire toothbrush.