Tips for a Happy Dental Visit

When a child comes in for their dental visit with no preconceived negative ideas about the dentist it can make all the difference in the world. Children will often take on our fears if they have them so it’s important to start things off on the right foot. Here are some helpful tips to ensure a positive experience at the dentist:

Choosing the right words: Use words and phrases that are positive when discussing going to the dentist. Avoid words like “pain, shot, or drill” and instead use phrases like “let’s count your teeth” or “keep your mouth and teeth healthy” and “let’s make that smile shiny.”

When to start: Oral hygiene should begin as soon as the first tooth erupts. Getting your child used to coming to the dentist early on will help your child get accustomed. Not only will this allow you to stay on top of keeping the growing the teeth healthy, but if an emergency arises you child will already be familiar with the dentist.

Answer questions: Children will have questions and it’s important to answer them honestly. However try not to be too detailed and specific and keep answers as general as possible. As children’s specialists we are trained to explain details and answer questions in a child-friendly way with non-threatening language.

Use books and play: There’s many children’s books about dental visits featuring well no children’s characters that can be a fun read for your children before coming to the dental visit. Role playing “dentist and patient” with your child or a doll can let your child be familiar with what is going to happen at the dental visit.

What to avoid: If you have any fears of the dentist leave your child home when you have a dental appointment. Your child can pick up on this and develop their own fears. Don’t offer bribes or rewards in advance of the appointment saying if they are good they will get a reward. This can make your child wonder what is going to happen to make them uncomfortable. If you are unsure about what to say to your child let us know. As children’s specialists we have the experience to help make the visits comfortable and enjoyable for your children, and less stressful for you!

When Your Child Should Start Coming to the Dentist

After your child is born the first year is full of developmental milestones that can set the stage for health later in life. With so many things to focus on such as sleep and feeding, it’s important to not neglect the importance of establishing an oral health care routine with your child.

Both the Canadian and American Pediatric Dental Associations recommend that a child be seen at the dentist when they get their first tooth or by their first birthday. The earlier the start the better to help implement good oral hygiene habits. In fact, studies show that a large number of 2- and 3-year-olds already have cavities; some of these children will require invasive treatment and hospitalization.

Good dentist-led education throughout your child’s first year will give your toddler the best chance for a cavity-free mouth. During the early dental visits it’s not just sign’s of cavities that are being looked for by the Pediatric Dentist. In addition they will look at development of the teeth and jaws as well as providing information on oral hygiene, proper nutrition, and any habits they have.

Proper dental care can have a positive impact on your child’s quality of life. However, a lack of dental care can have a negative impact. Research shows that early childhood cavities can lead to

 •  physical symptoms, such as pain, that can lead to malnutrition and delayed growth from a reluctance to eat

 •  focusing problems that can impact school grades

 •  functional problems, including poor chewing and limited communication due to  poor speech and a loss of space in the mouth

 •  psychological effects from the low self-esteem that results when a child’s mouth and teeth don’t look their best

 •  a higher risk of future cavities

Prevention is very important and don’t wait until your child experiences problems before visiting our office. Infancy is a critical time when it comes to laying down a foundation for good oral health. Setting up an effective oral health routine early is easier than changing unhealthy habits later on.

TMJ Pain in Children

When we think of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders we often think of adults. However, these jaw joint disorders can also occur in children and it’s important to have it evaluated by our Pediatric dentist or Orthodontist because it can be treated early and often easily.  There are a number of factors that can contribute to these jaw joint disorders, including injuries to the chin, clenching or grinding teeth, stress and anxiety, and even a bad or misaligned bite.

Common symptoms that may indicate a TMJ disorder may include:

• Pain while chewing, talking, or yawning

• Difficulty opening or closing the mouth

• A clicking or popping sound while opening or closing

• Earaches or headaches around the joint area

TMJ disorders that result from a bad bite can also be an indication that your child needs orthodontic treatment.  Since orthodontics are involved in not just making a good looking smile, but also a good functional bite, treatment can alleviate symptoms linked to a bad functioning bite.

In cases where your child is experiencing any jaw joint pains here are some things you can do to alleviate the symptoms:

• Avoid chewy or hard foods that can cause more pressure or strain on the muscles

• Rest the jaw and not overuse it when it is sore

• Apply warm, moist compresses to the involved joint and muscles

• Perform jaw stretching exercises

• Wear a mouthguard or splint to protect the joint

• Monitor your child’s stress and anxiety levels

If your child or teen has any symptoms related to their TMJ schedule an appointment with us to have it evaluated. Treatment may be simple and we can propose a course of treatment that will ease any symptoms and ensure a healthy smile for a lifetime!

Finding a Pediatric Dentist in your Community

Dental Works 4 Kids has made it easy to find the right pediatric dentist for your child. Our Pediatric specialists have the highest caliber of training and experience when it comes to children and providing the absolute best in care. We have taken huge strides in implementing a proper preventative approach to dentistry. By starting visits as early as age 1 it allows us to ensure that your child will have the best chance to be cavity free. A child's oral health can also easily affect the entire health and wellness of your child. This is why our team of specialists will work together to ensure your child's teeth and jaws develop properly, their speech is adequate, the breathing and airway is unaffected, and they are making healthy choices when it comes to eating. Conveniently located in Vaughan and Brampton our team of Pediatric Dentists, Orthodontists, Speech Therapists and Nutritionists are here to ensure that your child's dental health comes first in a fun-filled environment.

Toothbrushes for Your Tot

Finding the right toothbrush for your child can seem like a challenge, especially if you have gone down the toothbrush aisle lately.  With all the different colors, shapes and sizes available the question often arises of how to choose the right one?  In recent years the market has exploded with all the options available for toddlers and preschoolers. As a result when you do go into the toothbrush aisle with your child they may quickly be attracted to one with packaging that has their favorite character on it. But this is not necessarily a bad thing.

As many parents know, it can be quite challenging at times to get small children to brush their teeth. So when a child does become excited about their toothbrush or toothpaste, they are much more likely to use them.  When choosing the right toothbrush for your child its important to know some helpful guidelines:

·         Bristles – The Canadian Dental Association recommends to use toothbrushes with soft, rounded bristles that will be gentle on teeth and gums. Stiff and hard bristles can cause abrasion and sensitivity.

·         Toothbrush Head – When selecting the toothbrush select the brush head that will fit most comfortably in your child’s mouth.  Some toothbrush shapes will suit some mouths better than others and it’s important to get one that will allow access to all the hard to reach areas.  One that is too large can cause gagging and one that is too small may be over-inserted too far into the mouth.

·         Toothbrush Handle – A brush should be proportioned to a child’s hand.  Larger handles may be easier to hold and control for smaller children.

·         No-Name Toothbrushes – Be careful when looking at no name brushes which may seem like a good deal.  These products may be made of inferior materials that may even be unsafe. They may deteriorate quickly and may be better suited for cleaning rather than brushing teeth.

·         Power Toothbrushes – If manual brushing poses difficulties a powered toothbrush may be easier and comfortable to use. These can come with options that monitor how long your child is brushing such as a timer or music that plays for 1-2 minutes.

In the end the best toothbrush is the one that actually will get used.  Help your child pick the one they want and brushing can become for fun than a challenge. It's also important to change the brush every 3 months as you would change your own.

Can my child see my regular dentist? Why should my child see a specialist?

There is a common misconception that children may not need to see a specialist dentist. Much like how a pediatrician is trained specifically to see children at a young age so are our Pediatric dentists. Many believe that only children who are anxious in the dental chair could benefit from seeing a pediatric dental specialist. While this is true it is not the only reason. Many general dentists are not trained in early prevention and behaviour modification. As a pediatric specialist office we focus on not only giving your child the best experience but preventing any dental concerns from starting in the first place. This is why we recommend early examination starting at age 1. What really differentiates us is that if your child does require any dental work as a specialist office we focus on completing the work correctly in a very comfortable atmosphere for your child. At Dental Works 4 Kids our motto is that, “we never want to have to do anything twice.” We have seen many children who have had treatment elsewhere that needed to be redone because it could have been difficult for the child in the dental chair or a proper early preventative treatment approach was not taken. This can lead to bad experiences for the child and also extended time and costs of treatment.

Should I be ‘brushing’ for my child even though they don’t have teeth?

The health of the gums can affect of the erupting baby teeth also known as primary teeth. An early oral hygiene routine should begin before teeth even erupt. You can start by cleaning the gums with a soft piece of wet gauze to remove any excess milk residue. You can start this at least once a day from 2 months of age. There are also soft tooth and gum cleaners that can be placed on your finger to help make things easier. Some even come with Orajel® to help during those difficult times that your child’s teeth may be erupting. Lastly, don’t forget to wipe the tongue as well.