Dental FAQ – Questions & Answers

The Canadian Dental Association recommends that you take your young child to their first dentist appointment before their first birthday or no later than 6 months after their first tooth comes in.

At your child’s first dentist appointment the pediatric dentist will do an initial oral examination to determine the health of the gums and placement of the baby teeth. This is typically done without any instruments and is meant to introduce your child to the office as a fun and safe place to visit. A first dental visit will allow the dentist to get to know your child and answer any questions you might have about proper dental care for young children. In cases where a child is presenting with pain or excessive plaque or tartar buildup, a dental cleaning or treatment appointment may also be combined with the child’s first visit.

To ensure optimal oral health, dental checkups are recommended every 6 months for all ages according to the Canadian Dental Association. This is especially important for young children transitioning from their baby teeth to their permanent teeth. Depending on family history and oral health, more frequent appointments are sometimes necessary.

A pediatric dentist is specifically trained to care for the oral health of children throughout their development from the age of 6 months up to 18 years of age.

Pediatric dentistry is recognized by the Canadian Dental Association as a dental specialty and pediatric dentists specialize in treating children. Children’s dentists must complete advanced dental education in the oral care of developing children of all ages (generally from the age of 6 months through to adolescence and adulthood).

A pediatric dentist graduates from Dental School with a general dentist but then continues with another three years of focused academic and clinical training to receive a specialist designation in oral care for children. A pediatric dentist will have smaller-sized dental instruments and equipment that are more precise in treatment and more comfortable for younger patients. Kids dentists also have more knowledge of the latest research in managing children and their parents, plus more experience in treating difficult patients and cases.

The natural sugars in milk can be quite damaging if consumed prior to bedtime or during the night. Milk is an excellent source of calcium and is highly recommended for growing children but always clean your child’s teeth and gums immediately following milk consumption.

To clean baby teeth in children under 18 months, pediatric dentists recommend gently using a soft damp cloth (or gauze) or brushing with a child toothbrush and a little water. Morning and bedtime cleanings are highly recommended. Older children with baby teeth should be using a soft brush, age-appropriate toothpaste, and flossers. Flossing prevents many cavities in baby and adult teeth alike!

At about 6 months old your child will begin to get his or her first baby teeth. Teething generally takes up to 8 days with symptoms occurring about 3-4 days prior to the tooth pushing through the gum.

The final stage of teething (from 25-33 months) tends to be the most painful as the largest of the baby teeth break through the gums. Teething is a normal process accompanied by mild pain, drooling, and fussiness. Should your child become sick, develop a fever, or have difficulty sleeping and can’t be consoled, you should take your child to see your doctor.

Yes, baby Tylenol can be used to help ease teething pain or if your child becomes sick or develops a slight fever. Baby Tylenol can be administered every 4 to 6 hours as needed, but no more than 5 doses in a 24-hr period.

Generally, the first baby teeth to fall out are the upper and lower central incisors (the 2 front top teeth and 2 front bottom teeth). The lateral incisors, first molars, and canine baby teeth generally fall out next, and then the second molars fall out last.

Once a baby tooth falls out it can take up to 6 months or more for your child’s permanent tooth to grow in and replace it. In some cases, having a pediatric dentist insert a spacer is necessary to prevent more invasive braces or orthodontic work in the future.

During teething, young children develop 20 baby teeth. These will eventually fall out and be replaced by 28 permanent teeth (usually by the age of 13). Adults generally have 32 teeth once wisdom teeth erupt.

X-rays can show cavities, cracked teeth, bone damage, and even signs of oral pathology and infection plus conditions that can’t be seen during a normal oral examination. Modern x-ray machines are much safer and deliver very little radiation, and they help dentists to better determine your child’s overall oral health.

Yes! Children are at a higher risk for cavities and oral health problems. Thankfully, exposure has been dramatically reduced with today’s modern x-ray equipment. The x-ray intensity is nowhere near where it used to be, and the beam precision is virtually laser focused.