Family Dentist in Mississauga for You Children

Newborns & Infants

Baby teeth begin to show up between 6 and 9 months of age. These teeth help your child eat and speak as well as help the adult teeth to come in straight. It is important to keep these small teeth cleaned because infants can get cavities just like everyone else. After feeding your infant, be sure to clean his or her mouth and teeth with a small toothbrush, piece of gauze, or a wet facecloth.

Your child’s first visit should be scheduled around 1 year or when the first teeth appear.

Toddlers & Preschoolers

This is a great age to help your child build good oral hygiene habits that will help protect their foundational teeth. Help your toddlers brush their teeth twice per day with a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Make sure your child spits out the toothpaste and doesn’t swallow it. To help prevent cavities, limit sugary foods or drinks and brush your child’s teeth immediately after eating them. Begin flossing when your child’s teeth touch, and change his toothbrush every 1 to 3 months or right after an illness. Let your child watch you brush your teeth to teach by example.

Children & Adolescents

Between ages 6 and 8 your child’s first teeth will start to fall out and the permanent teeth will begin to fill in. By the age of 13, most of the permanent teeth, excluding the wisdom teeth, should be in place. Be sure your child brushes as least twice per day and flosses once. Reduce sugar intake to prevent tooth decay. Limit snacking and help your child eat a healthy and balanced diet. We also recommend that you have your child wear a mouthguard to protect their teeth during sports.

Teens

Continuing good habits is the best way for teens to keep their teeth and gums healthy. Whether they’re wearing braces or not they need to remember to:

• Brush twice and floss once per day
• Reduce intake of sugary foods 
• Limit snacking and eat a healthy, balanced diet
• Wear a mouthguard to protect teeth when playing sports

Some issues that will affect your teen’s oral health include:

• Eating disorders – vomiting associated with certain eating disorders causes tooth decay, gum disease, and loss of tooth enamel. Your dentist can treat teeth, but if you think your teen has an eating disorder talk to your physician. 
• Grills and tooth jewels – composed of metalwork and glass crystals respectively, grills and tooth jewels can cause inflammation of the gums so talk to your dentist to learn the safest choices about proper cleaning and care. 
• Oral piercings – these can produce infections, uncontrollable bleeding, and nerve damage. Metal jewellery can chip or crack teeth and cause gum damage. 
• Smoking – smoking can stain teeth and gums, contribute to bad breath, and increase your teen’s risk of developing oral cancer and gum disease. 
• Wisdom teeth – they usually appear between ages 17 and 21 but can cause pain and other problems as early as 13. Your dentist can tell if they need to be removed or not.

Brushing & Oral Care

Regular visits to your family dentist in Mississauga, daily brushing and flossing, and a healthy diet can help your teeth last a lifetime. Talk to your children to make sure they understand this. At a regular dental appointment your teeth and gums will be examined to make sure they’re in good shape. Your family dentist in Mississauga will also be able to spot early signs of health problems and demonstrate how to properly brush and floss. Professional teeth cleanings will remove any debris that can contribute to cavities and gum disease.

You and your children need to brush at least twice a day, making sure all exposed surfaces are cleaned. Use a gentle, massaging motion for 2 or 3 minutes. We recommend a soft-bristled toothbrush that is changed every 3 months. Floss once a day to clean between your teeth and below the gum line where your toothbrush can’t reach. A healthy oral well being always starts off with excellent maintenance habbits.

Nutrition & Children

To help protect your children’s teeth, make sure they eat healthy meals and snacks that include:

• Foods from all food groups
• Cheese, yogurt, and milk to strengthen teeth
• Cutting down on sugar to reduce chances of tooth decay

Growing children and teens often eat between meals. You can ensure they have enough energy and healthy teeth with smart snacking that includes: 

• Limiting the times per day your child eats or drinks sugars
• Avoiding sugary treats, like hard candy or lollipops that stay in the mouth a long time
• Avoiding soft, sticky sweets that can get stuck between teeth
• Serving sweets for dessert while there is still plenty of saliva in your child’s mouth to wash away the sugars
• Drinking tap water between meals
• Serving vegetables, fruit, and cheese for snacks
• Having children brush their teeth at least twice a day and before going to bed

Children’s Dental Emergencies

Accidents can happen at school, at home, or during sports. If your children’s teeth are damaged during a fall or other accident, make sure you get the right care. This can make the difference between saving a child’s teeth and serious damage to their smile. 

You can visit us during office hours, or call 416-888-5766 after hours during an emergency. Follow these steps during dental emergencies:

• If a baby tooth falls out: Contact your dentist as soon as possible. If there is bleeding, rinse the mouth with water, place gauze in the opening, and apply a cold compresses on the outside of the mouth to reduce swelling. Keep your child calm instead of looking for the tooth because baby teeth will never be replanted.
• If a permanent tooth is knocked out: Find the tooth, rinse it gently in cool water but do not scrub it or use soap. If possible, gently place the tooth in the socket and hold it there with clean gauze or washcloth. If the tooth does not fit in the socket, or if you think the child may swallow it, place the tooth in a container of milk and bring the child in for immediate dental care.
• If a tooth is chipped or broken: If your child is bleeding or in pain, contact your dentist immediately. Fast action can save the tooth, reduce the need for extensive treatment, and prevent infection. Rinse the mouth with water and apply cold compresses to reduce swelling. If you find the broken tooth fragment, bring it to your emergency appointment.

Many dental emergencies happen during sports events. To prevent these problems, have your child wear mouth protection.