City Heights Dental Centre In Mississauga -

Children's Corner

Take your dental care to new heights

A Child's First Visit

At City Heights Dental Centre, we know the importance of dental care for every stage of your child's life and working together, we can give your children a head start toward a lifetime of good dental health.

A Child's first visit: The first step to ensuring this lifetime of good dental health comes in creating a positive attitude in our children towards their oral health, as well as establishing a trusting relationship with their dentist.

At our dental office, we welcome children of all ages and take special care to ensure that our younger patients are made to feel safe and comfortable. We also understand that a child’s dental appointment can be a traumatic time for parents as well, so we take the time to explain your child’s condition and our recommendations.

In addition to providing services which are vital to a child’s dental health, we also provide many other important services.

These additional services include advising parents on proper diets for healthy young teeth, teaching proper brushing and flossing techniques and providing custom-fitted mouth guards for children involved in sport activities.

Early Childhood Tooth Decay

All parents would like their children to grow into adulthood with attractive, healthy permanent teeth and smiles. The first step to ensuring this lifetime of good dental health is proper care for our children’s primary (baby) teeth.

Many parents do not understand the importance of baby teeth. These teeth are not only necessary for chewing food and the proper development of speaking skills, but are also vital in keeping space in the child’s jaw for their adult teeth.

If a baby tooth is lost too early, the teeth next to it may drift into the empty space. This can result in crowded or crooked teeth when the child’s adult teeth grow in.



Here are some helpful tips for preventing tooth decay and loss for your children.

• Begin brushing a baby’s teeth when the first tooth erupts.
• Begin flossing your child’s teeth when all the baby teeth have grown in.
• Never allow a child to fall asleep with a bottle containing milk, formula, fruit juice or any sweetened liquid.
  

Fluoride Treatments

In our practice, we offer fluoride treatments for our younger patients during their regular check-ups and cleanings. This use of highly concentrated fluoride applied by our trained professionals can give our patients stronger, healthier teeth that are more resistant to the bacteria that cause cavities.

Sealants

Protective pit and fissure sealants protect children’s permanent teeth, reducing the risk of tooth decay on the deep pits and grooves of molar and premolar teeth. This procedure involves applying a thin resin material onto the grooves of certain cavity-prone teeth. The sealant material acts as a barrier to prevent oral bacteria from entering the tooth and creating a cavity.

Mouth Guards

The mouth guards provided in our office are custom-made to perfectly fit the wearer’s teeth. This proper fit can result in a more comfortable and secure mouth/sport guard which cannot easily be dislodged. A mouth guard that fits properly and feels comfortable is much more likely to be worn. Mouth guards should be worn for most sports.



Please feel free to contact our office if you have any questions about the proper care of your child’s teeth. Any one of our staff members will be happy to answer your questions. Together with you, we can help give your child a winning smile that lasts a lifetime.

Facts About Childhood Cavities

Many parents figure that, because baby teeth fall out, it isn't too problematic if they develop cavities — but that couldn't be further from the truth. Consider these facts:

• According to the World Health Organization, cavities affect 60% to 90% of school-age children.
• Although preventable, early childhood tooth decay is one of the most common diseases affecting children worldwide
• Childhood cavities predict a lower oral-health-related quality of life as the child gets older.
• Poor oral health in children can lead to lower grades and missed school.

These facts are alarming, but cavities are preventable if you stay on top of your child's oral health. Be sure to visit the dentist as soon as their first tooth erupts and follow your dentist's directions on oral hygiene. If your child does develop a cavity, rest assured your pediatric dentist can treat it promptly.

Pediatric Dental Filling Process

If your child has a cavity in a baby tooth, it means bad oral bacteria are eating away at the tooth structure and causing decay. To stop the decay process, a dentist will use a small drill to gently remove the infected area and seal the hole with filling material. Depending on the extent of the cavity, this can be done with or without local anesthesia. There are several types of filling material a dentist can use, depending on the extent of the decay. Your dentist will let you know their recommendation regarding which material is best for your child's situation. Once applied, the filling will help rebuild your child's tooth structure so it can function normally and help prevent further decay.

Consequences of Not Filling Baby Teeth

No one wants to see their children in pain. Help your child stay healthy by teaching them good oral hygiene practices. You can also take steps at home to prevent early childhood cavities.

The Canadian Dental Association recommends limiting sugary drinks for your child and transitioning them to a cup by their first birthday to prevent tooth decay caused by bottle use.

Paying attention and monitoring the health of your child's baby teeth is essential. If they do get a cavity, make sure to get it treated as soon as possible, the sooner you treat it, the better the experience for child and parent— and if you have questions or concerns about fillings in baby teeth, ask your dentist. Childhood should be full of friends and fun. Taking care of your child's baby teeth will allow your child to get back to being a kid!

If left untreated, dental decay can worsen and lead to more serious oral health issues. Some of the problems caused by childhood cavities include:

• Mouth pain
• Advanced dental infections
• Missed school
• Poor grades
• Poor sleep
• Tooth loss
• Gum disease
• Damage to permanent teeth
• Disrupted speech development
• Low self-esteem
  

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