Children dental care

Our practice has over 30 years of pediatric dental care experience. We encourage parents to be a part of their children's dental experience.  We believe that children's dentistry is a family affair and welcome parents to accompany their child(ren) at all times.
Healthy teeth are important to your child's overall health.
Proper dental care begins before a baby's first tooth appears. Just because you can't see the teeth doesn't mean they aren't there. Teeth actually begin to form in the second trimester of pregnancy. At birth, your baby has 20 primary teeth, some of which are fully developed in the jaw.
Our pediatric dentist's primary goals are prevention (heading off potential problems before they occur) and maintenance (using routine checkups and proper daily care to keep teeth and gums healthy).

For babies, you should clean teeth with a soft, clean cloth or baby's toothbrush. Avoid putting the baby to bed with a bottle and check teeth regularly for spots or stains.
Even babies can develop tooth decay if good feeding habits aren't practiced. Putting a baby to sleep with a bottle might be convenient, but can harm the baby's teeth. When the sugars from juice or sweet tea remain in a baby's mouth for hours, they can eat away at the enamel, creating a condition known as bottle mouth. Pocked, pitted, or discoloured front teeth are signs of bottle mouth.

Caring for a child's teeth

• The child's teeth and gums should be brushed at least twice each day and especially before bed.
• As kids grow, plan on routine dental checkups anywhere from once every 3 months to once a year, depending on the personal recommendations. Let the dentist know if your child thumb sucks or breathes through the mouth.
• Limiting intake of sugary foods and regular brushing all contribute to a child's dental health. Your partnership with Astrodent will help ensure healthy teeth and a beautiful smile.
• Teach your child how to play safe and what to do if a tooth is broken or knocked out.
• When the child reaches the teens, braces may be needed to prevent long-term problems.

If your child loses an adult (permanent) tooth during a fall or other injury, see broken or knocked out tooth for first aid instructions. If you act quickly, you can often save the tooth.
Forming good habits at a young age can help your child have healthy teeth for life.

Cavities

Cavities occur when bacteria and food left on the teeth after eating are not brushed away. Acid collects on a tooth, softening its enamel until a hole — or cavity — forms. Regular use of fluoride toughens the enamel, making it more difficult for acid to penetrate.
If you are prone to tooth decay or gum disease, your kids may be at higher risk as well. Therefore, sometimes even the most diligent brushing will not prevent a cavity. Be sure to call your dentist if your child complains of tooth pain, which could be a sign of a cavity that needs treatment.
New materials mean pediatric dentists have more filling and repair options than ever. Silver remains the substance of choice for the majority of fillings in permanent teeth, though other materials, such as composite resins, are gaining popularity. These resins bond to the teeth so the filling won't pop out and can be used to rebuild teeth damaged through injury or conditions such as cleft palate. Tooth-coloured resins are also more attractive.
 

Orthodontics
As kids grow older, their bite and the straightness of their teeth can become an issue. Orthodontic treatment begins earlier now than it used to, but what once was a symbol of preteen embarrassment — a mouth filled with metal wires and braces — is a relic of the past. Kids as young as age 7 now sport corrective appliances, and efficient, plastic-based materials have replaced old-fashioned metal.
Manipulation of teeth at a younger age can be easier and more effective in the long run. Younger children's teeth can be positioned with relatively minor orthodontia, thus preventing major orthodontia later on.