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Positive Early Dental Experiences
Your child's teeth have special needs that require expert attention. Children's teeth grow and change at a rapid pace, making them prone to cavities, misalignment, and other concerns if not handled with proper care. Regular visits to the dentist can prevent dental problems and help your child establish a good hygiene routine.
At Smiles at Fleetwood, parents can rest assured that their child will receive personalized attention and treatment. From their baby teeth to their adult teeth, our kid-friendly environment makes dental visits fun and effective.
Our dentists work hard to ensure that each child has a positive experience by utilizing kid-friendly waiting rooms and interactive tools such as iPads during treatment, to reinforce good dental habits.
Our dentists also make an effort to use simple and positive language, helping your child feel more at ease in the dentist's chair. All in all, we strive to make every dental experience as positive as can be with our welcoming atmosphere.
When Should Your Child First Start Seeing a Dentist?
The Canadian Dental Association recommends the assessment of infants, by a dentist, within 6 months of the eruption of the first tooth or by one year of age. The goal is to provide preventive care when necessary - early detection of issues by a dentist is key to proper oral health care.
Book A ConsultationDental Services for Kids
At Smiles at Fleetwood Dental Centre, our services can be tailored to meet your child's oral health needs, and keep their smile healthy.
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Preventive Dental Hygiene
Visiting the dentist for regular exams and cleanings when your child is young will help preserve their primary teeth until they are ready to fall out and be replaced by permanent teeth.
During each appointment, we will review proper oral hygiene techniques to ensure your child's smile is getting the proper care at home.
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Restorative Dental Hygiene
If your child is at risk of tooth decay, develops a cavity, or is experiencing misalignment issues, your dentist may also recommend restorative treatments such as dental fillings and crowns.
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Oral X-ray
X-rays are essential for detecting potential issues with baby teeth and ensuring the proper development of adult teeth. X-rays allow our dentists to spot issues below the surface, including cavities, the location of adult teeth, hidden trauma, and more.
Our dentists use X-ray equipment to capture clear images, while ensuring your child has the most positive experience possible. We understand that some children may be anxious about their visit to the dentist, so we prioritize creating a comfortable and welcoming environment for all our young patients.
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Dental Checkups
Preventive dental care is key to your child's long-term oral health. The first visit with our young patients typically occurs around a child's first birthday; however, certain health concerns like lip ties or tongue ties should be addressed immediately.
We believe in creating positive experiences for our young patients, which is why we take a gentle and reassuring approach during each visit.
Our dentists in Surrey will conduct a thorough examination of your child's mouth, teeth, and gums, and go over any concerns or questions you may have. Since healthy smiles start at home, we can advise on proper oral hygiene practices to ensure your child maintains good dental health between visits.
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Tooth-Coloured Fillings
We understand that cavity fillings can be a daunting experience for children. That's why our team aims to provide gentle care, with your child's comfort and health in mind.
For dental fillings for kids, we recommend using either tooth-coloured or composite fillings.
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Dental Extractions
A simple and routine procedure, tooth extractions are sometimes needed when a tooth has become diseased or damaged. For children and adults alike, dental extractions can be a scary experience. But our dental staff will always aim to provide gentle care, and prioritize your child's comfort and well-being during extractions.
When you come into our dentist's office, we will try to make the process as lighthearted and enjoyable as possible. We will talk you and your child through the entire process, avoiding intimidating language, to ensure your child's comfort. From the initial consultation to the procedure, after-care, and follow-up appointments, we strive to make your child's tooth extraction a positive experience.
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Dental Sedation for Kids
Young children with dental pain or infection, or who are undergoing dental surgery, may need to go under general anesthesia or sedation. Sometimes it's essential for the dental procedure, other times it is helpful to put an anxious child at ease.
There are several dental sedation options available, but we most commonly administer nitrous oxide (commonly known as 'laughing gas') which is a mild form of sedation. Whether your child needs to remain completely still, undergo multiple procedures, or is simply scared by the sound of the drill, we can provide safe and effective dental sedation options to make their experience more comfortable.
Children Dental FAQs
Read the answers to our most frequently asked questions about children dental services at Smiles at Fleetwood Dental Centre.
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What’s the best toothpaste for my child?
Remember, children should spit out toothpaste after brushing to avoid getting too much fluoride. If too much fluoride is ingested, a condition known as fluorosis can occur.
If your child is too young or unable to spit out toothpaste, consider providing them with fluoride-free toothpaste, using no toothpaste, or using only a “pea size” amount of toothpaste.
Many toothpastes, and/or tooth polishes, however, can damage young smiles. They contain harsh abrasives which can wear away young tooth enamel.
When looking for toothpaste for your child, make sure to pick one that is recommended by the American Dental Association. These toothpastes have undergone testing to ensure they are safe to use.
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When should my child have their first visit to a dentist?
We recommend that your child's teeth be examined when their first tooth comes in or by their first birthday, whichever comes first.
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What do dentists look for during exams on a child's mouth?
Your child's dentist will inspect your child's mouth for signs of:
- Damaged and missing teeth
- Tooth decay
- Early signs of cavities
- Periodontal/gum health (e.g., inflammation, bleeding, redness, gum disease, etc.)
- Early signs of throat and mouth cancer
- Signs of misalignment due to thumb sucking
- Signs of clenching or grinding of the jaw/teeth
- Signs of bleeding and/or inflammation of the tongue
- Condition of bone structure (face, jaws, mouth)
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How often should my child's teeth be professionally cleaned?
To prevent tooth decay, cavities, and provide proper preventive care, we recommend dental cleanings every six months.
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What options are there for children who grind their teeth at night?
The majority of cases of pediatric bruxism (teeth grinding) do not require any treatment. If excessive wear of the teeth is present, then a mouth guard (night guard) may be indicated. The negatives to a mouth guard are the possibility of choking if the appliance becomes dislodged during sleep, and it may interfere with the growth of the jaws. The positive is obvious by preventing wear to the primary dentition.
The good news is most children outgrow bruxism. The grinding slows down between the ages six and nine, and children tend to stop grinding between ages nine and 12. If you suspect bruxism, discuss this with the dentist.