The Difference Pediatric Dentistry Makes
Our goal at Mount Sinai Hospital is to start children off on the right foot with kid-friendly pediatric treatment and education in Toronto. We aim to build a positive relationship between the dental team and our youngest patients, making kids feel engaged and empowered to care for their own oral health. Happy, healthy habits set the tone for a lifetime of dental care they actually look forward to. Pediatric dental care achieves this from the very first appointment, through kid-friendly routine teeth cleanings, and at every milestone your child reaches. We’re happy to support these little patients as they discover their new teeth, lose baby teeth, grow their adult teeth, and experience other common milestones like getting a filling (that isn’t so scary after all!) or opting for orthodontics as young adults. We also focus on child development, supporting children as they reach both dental and developmental milestones.
Why Is Children’s Dental Care is So Important?
Believe it or not, some people ask why children’s dental care is so important because primary teeth fall out anyway! Most children have their baby teeth by the age of 3. This first set of teeth begins to fall out by about the age of 6, and except for wisdom teeth, most children have all their adult teeth by their early teens. Children gain and lose their primary teeth during their fundamental years, and the state of their dental health has many long-reaching consequences.
Additionally, there is financial support available to help families ensure their children receive necessary dental care.
Poor Dental Health Hurts
Just like grown-ups, children are also at risk of tooth decay, tooth sensitivity, infection, and gum disease. Without a frame of reference, children are capable of normalizing a lot of pain and discomfort, but they still feel it all the same. If you notice your child avoids hot and cold foods and drinks or chewy food, or if you notice your child only chewing on one side of their mouth, they may be trying to cope with dental pain or sensitivity. At Mount Sinai Hospital, our clinical care ensures that children’s well-being and mental health are prioritized, offering early intervention and support. Medical students are actively involved in providing care and learning about pediatric dental health.
Baby Teeth Set the Stage for Child Development and Adult Teeth
As the baby tooth loosens and falls out, the root is reabsorbed, and the space left behind acts as a guide for the replacement of adult teeth. If a baby’s tooth needs to be extracted prematurely, it can cause problems like unexpected crowding or crooked adult teeth. Maintaining strong, healthy baby teeth and healthy supportive tissue and gums gives adult teeth their strongest start. Our clinical research shows that early dental care is an integral part of successful long-term oral health. The core curriculum for dental residents and students includes training on the transition from baby teeth to adult teeth.
The Cornerstone of Confidence and Mental Health
A full set of healthy teeth is essential for children learning how to speak and smile. Children also begin to form attachments and social skills from a very young age. Having dental complications, dental pain, or sensitivity will impact how they express themselves and how they are perceived by their peers. Our pediatric treatment and education programs in Toronto support the speech-language therapy and developmental milestones necessary for confident communication. Ongoing research at the Research Institute at SickKids is studying the impact of dental health on children’s confidence and communication.
Good Eating Habits for Growing Bodies
A wide variety of different foods is especially important for children and can be challenging enough for parents of picky eaters. Children experiencing discomfort and dental pain may find themselves avoiding crunchy, chewy, or textured foods. They may start a lifetime habit of eating on one side only or eating in the wrong part of their mouth, or they might not want to eat very much at all. Our services include occupational therapy and nutritional guidance to ensure children develop healthy eating habits. Additionally, we provide specialized dietary considerations for sick children with dental health issues.
Your Child’s First Appointment: Early Intervention
For patients of all ages, our ultimate goal is your health, your comfort, and your satisfaction. In pediatric dentistry, special consideration is paid to the challenges our youngest patients face when they sit in the chair. We’ll keep a close eye on children-specific oral health markers and milestones and talk to your child in a kid-friendly way that makes them feel safe and engaged.
Additionally, we offer comprehensive pediatric services, including outpatient visits, medical education, and neonatal care for the diverse inner city population.
Show and Tell
Some kids are adventurous explorers with a million questions. Others feel bashful and careful or even anxious about new experiences. We want all kids to feel safe and engaged and to feel positive about visiting the dentist. The best way to meet their emotional needs is to have a conversation in kid-friendly terms. We’d like to start each appointment by hearing their thoughts and concerns, explaining what we plan to do during the appointment, and answering any questions they have.
Gentle Examination
With special attention paid to children-specific oral health markers, we will gently examine your child’s gums, tongue, teeth, and overall health. During our exam, we’ll keep an eye on the progress of their primary teeth and adult teeth. Our exam will reveal areas of concern or tricky spots that may need some extra attention at home or at future appointments. Our patient safety protocols ensure a comfortable experience for your child.
Keeping You in the Loop
After an exam, we’ll have some advice for both the young patient and their parent or guardian. Sometimes we have extra tips and tricks to help with brushing those hard-to-reach spots at home. We’ll let you know if there are any problem areas that we plan to keep an eye on and what to look out for between appointments. Together, we make a great team!
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pediatric dentists specialize in dental care for children from infancy through their teen years. They have the experience and training to care for the multitude of changes children’s mouths experience as they grow into their adult mouths. We are dedicated to providing the highest standard of care.
Your child will start to cut their first teeth at around 6 months. It is recommended that children visit the dentist by the age of 1 or within 6 months of getting their first tooth. If you suspect something might be wrong or your child might be experiencing discomfort or pain, please book an appointment as soon as possible. It’s never too late for a child to have their first dental appointment.
Technically speaking, a pediatric dentist is concerned with the dental health of anyone who hasn’t reached the age of majority. Pediatric dentists specialize in care for patients from the ages of 6 months old to 18 years old. Our services are designed to support children, adolescents, and young adults throughout their developmental years.
The general rule of thumb for how often a child should visit the dentist is the exact same for adults. Generally speaking, every 6 months unless otherwise specified by a dentist. Some patients opt for every 3 months or 8 months depending on their personal needs and budget. You shouldn’t wait more than a year between appointments. If your child is experiencing any discomfort or pain, don’t wait, book an appointment now.
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