Children's Dentistry

Oral health is critical for your child’s growth and development, general health and self-esteem.  Visiting the dentist at an early age is important in order to identify any problems in your child’s jaw growth and development as well detecting any early signs of poor oral hygiene and decay.  It also helps them to develop a positive relationship with our dentists from an early age, setting them up for a lifetime of good habits.

When your child is around 12 months old, you can begin using a ‘pea’ size amount of children’s toothpaste when brushing their teeth, and when the gaps between your child's teeth close, it is important to start flossing.

We advise that parents serve as good role models by practising good oral health care habits themselves and schedule frequent dental check-ups for their families; and remember, the bacteria that cause dental decay can be transmitted between family members so make sure everyone attends their appointment to prevent decay spreading through the family.

Check your child's mouth regularly for signs of swollen, bleeding or reddened gums.
There is evidence to make us believe that a contributing factor in the progression of periodontal disease in young adults may be caused by a lack of oral hygiene motivation we had as children.  Those people who maintained good oral health habits leading up to their teen years are more likely to continue brushing and flossing than children who were not taught proper oral care.

For children that have orthodontic braces, food and bacteria can become trapped a lot more easily, so you will need to be especially thorough when cleaning.

Pit and fissure sealants can also be used on children’s ‘baby teeth’ and are usually applied to the back teeth to help protect the grooves and pits of these teeth, as they can be hard to clean and are more prone to developing cavities.  A sealant is a plastic material applied to teeth, which hardens and provides a protective barrier against plaque and other harmful substances.  Dental Clinique dentists will apply sealants to the first and second permanent molars and appropriate premolars if we feel your child is at risk of developing decay.