Common Dental Questions
Asked by Parents

The primary concern for our pediatric dentists during a dental exam is to put your child at ease as we assess their oral health. While checking the health of the teeth, gums, and soft tissues of the mouth we also look for signs of tooth decay, cavities, teeth grinding, and impacted teeth. If we do find any problems, we will then make recommendations to remedy the issues.

Even though the body has great natural defences, you also need to maintain good dental hygiene for your child by brushing and flossing their teeth daily. This is the best way to minimize bacteria growth and help prevent cavities, oral infections, and even gum disease.

Even with daily brushing and flossing, plaque can build up over time, especially in hard-to-clean places like the back molars or in between teeth. Regular dental cleanings will ensure that all the bacteria-causing plaque is removed, which will improve the health of your child’s teeth and gums.

Dentists and hygienists are skillfully trained to clean teeth without causing any pain. Your child’s dental cleaning should not hurt if you help them brush and floss daily, visit the dentist regularly, and if they have healthy teeth and gums. However, unhealthy gums can become very sensitive and may even hurt or bleed during a dental cleaning. To ensure a pain-free experience, ask about using nitrous oxide (laughing gas) during cleaning and you or your child will not feel a thing. 😊

Dental x-rays help dentists to see and diagnose oral problems that may not be evident with just a visual dental exam. Dental x-rays give dentists a clear view of your child’s teeth, jaw, and jaw joint and will reveal issues such as an impacted tooth, an infection, or even bone fractures.

Dental fillings have proven to be the most successful method for treating decaying teeth and helping to prevent further cavities. Fillings are not only natural-looking and durable, but they are also very cost-effective.

Regularly flossing your child’s teeth is highly recommended because it removes plaque (a bacterial film), which can easily build up in between teeth and in areas that are too hard to reach and clean with a toothbrush.

Fluoride toothpaste is recommended by most dentists. Fluoride is a safe, natural mineral that is essential to healthy teeth because it helps to re-mineralize and strengthen tooth enamel. Fluoride has proven to be quite effective in stopping and preventing tooth decay. Many food groups naturally contain low levels of fluoride, and most municipalities add fluoride to public drinking water. For more information about fluoride, visit the Canadian Dental Association website.

Milk and dairy products contain acid bacteria that can impair the effectiveness of antibiotics and contribute to inflammation, which in turn, slows down the healing process.