Children’s Dentistry | Peterborough & Lindsay

Children’s Dentist Near You

Your Child’s First Visit to the Dentist

We encourage new mothers to attend our clinic, even before the first tooth…. WHY?  because it gives us the opportunity to discuss risk factors and prevention of such conditions as `baby bottle caries’ which can occur even in Breast Fed babies. 

If you missed that opportunity, please do not hesitate to call us any time for us to arrange for the first dental visit.  The first dental visit is usually short and involves very little treatment. We may ask you to sit in the dental chair and hold your child during the examination. Depending on the age and maturity of your child, if your child is older, you may also be asked to wait in the reception area during part of the visit so that a relationship can be built between your child and our team.

We will gently examine your child’s teeth and gums. We will evaluate the need for X-rays and inform you before they are taken.  If X-ray images are taken, they will help to reveal decay and check on the progress of your child’s permanent teeth under the gums.

NOTE: Xray pictures are recommended based on our clinical exam, the childs maturity and ability to co operate so we can ensure an image of diagnostic quality.  We weigh such risk factors as:  how good is their oral hygiene, how are their dietary/snacking habits, are there other people in the family with dental cavities and any obvious pathology noted, when deciding on whether to take X-Ray pictures. For this reason, Xrays may not be taken at your childs appointment. If Xray images are not taken, we cannot guarantee that there may be decay between the teeth. That being said, we will not take a radiograph without reasonable expectation that the image will be of a quality that will aid in our diagnosis.  It is a clinical judgement whether to take the radiographs or not. Please ask us if you have any questions.

At the first visit we may clean your child’s teeth and apply topical fluoride to help protect the teeth against decay. We will make sure your child is receiving adequate fluoride at home. Most important of all, we will review with you how to clean and care for your child’s teeth.

What should I tell my child about the first dental visit?

We are asked this question many times. We suggest you prepare your child the same way you would before their first haircut or trip to the shoe store.

It is important NOT to reveal your own `bad’ experiences/fears.  DO NOT needlessly traumatize your child.   Don’t pass down fear, allow for a new beginning.  We recommend that you speak to your medical practitioner if you personally need assistance in dealing with a past traumatic dental experience.  DO NOT SHARE IT WITH YOUR CHILD……DO NOT pass down that trauma to your child.

A positive, light hearted `this is going to be fun’ attitude goes a long way.  Do not project your own fears onto your child.  You can help your child have a life long commitment to good dental health, which can impact their lives in so many positive ways.  Good dental health helps with good nutrition, good speech development, and social interactions.

DO NOT USE THE WORD `BRAVE’:  what is there to be brave about?  They have never experienced this and there is no need to overcome fear with Bravery…. because there is no need to be fearful.

DO NOT THREATEN them with `If you don’t brush your teeth, you are going to have to go to the dentist!’…. as if going to the dentist is a negative consequence…..    instead tell them something like:  ` you need to brush your teeth so that you don’t get a hole in your teeth that can hurt you’  OR  `you need to brush your teeth to brush away the `sugar bugs’ and keep them clean’.    We want `going to the dentist’ to be developed in the child’s mind  as a positive experience.

Your child’s reaction to his/her first visit to the dentist may surprise you.  Again, it is important for you not to show your surprise at a positive response with comments about your own negative experiences….   don’t relive them, let them go…for your own sake and the sake of your child…. There can be a new beginning, a new happier and more positive experience.

During your first visit the dentist will:

• Examine your childs mouth, teeth and gums.
• Evaluate adverse habits like thumb sucking.
• Evaluate dietary and snacking habits
• Check to see if you need fluoride.
• Teach you about cleaning your teeth and gums.
• Suggest a schedule for regular dental visits.

What about preventative care?

Tooth decay and children no longer have to go hand in hand.   There is plenty information available about proper dietary and snacking habits, and how to properly take care of your childs teeth at home.   Our office is concerned with all aspects of preventive care. We use the latest in dental sealant technology to protect your child’s teeth. Dental sealants are space-age plastics that are bonded to the chewing surfaces of decay-prone back teeth. This is just one of the ways we will set the foundation for your child’s lifetime of good oral health.

Cavity Prevention

Most of the time cavities are due to a diet high in sugary foods and a lack of brushing. Limiting sugar intake and brushing regularly, of course, can help. The longer it takes your child to chew their food and the longer the residue stays on their teeth, the greater the chances of getting cavities.

Every time someone eats, an acid reaction occurs inside their mouth as the bacteria digests the sugars. This reaction lasts approximately 20 minutes. During this time the acid environment can destroy the tooth structure, eventually leading to cavities.

Consistency of a person’s saliva also makes a difference; thinner saliva breaks up and washes away food more quickly. When a person eats diets high in carbohydrates and sugars they tend to have thicker saliva, which in turn allows more of the acid-producing bacteria that can cause cavities.

The first baby teeth that come into the mouth are the two bottom front teeth. You will notice this when your baby is about 6-8 months old. Next to follow will be the 4 upper front teeth and the remainder of your baby’s teeth will appear periodically. They will usually appear in pairs along the sides of the jaw until the child is about 2 1/2 years old.

At around 2 1/2 years old your child should have all 20 teeth. Between the ages of 5 and 6 the first permanent teeth will begin to erupt. Some of the permanent teeth replace baby teeth and some don’t. Don’t worry if some teeth are a few months early or late as all children are different.

Baby teeth are important as they not only hold space for permanent teeth but they are important to chewing, biting, speech and appearance. For this reason it is important to maintain a healthy diet and daily hygiene.