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Taking children to the dentist is rarely an easy task. Between scheduling issues, unique dental concerns, and managing your child’s anxiety, you may find that these appointments are far more challenging than your own.

Visiting a good children’s dentist (also known as a pediatric dentist) can make this process significantly easier. These professionals are trained in treating young patients and can employ strategies that will make each trip to the dentist less stressful. Here are ten ways a children’s dentist can improve this experience for both you and your child.

10 Ways a Children’s Dentist Can Help with Your Kid’s Dental Needs

1. Be Patient with Your Child

Many children experience a lot of anxiety around dental appointments, especially when they are very young. The experience of visiting the dentist is new to your child, and they may resist going or exhibit challenging behaviours while at the office.

Children’s dentists offer gentle reassurance to get your child to relax inside the clinic. They know this may take extra time, and many will schedule slightly longer appointments for child patients to account for this.

2. Treat Tongue-Tie in Babies

Tongue-tie is a common problem in children. It is caused by a frenulum (the tissue that anchors the tongue to the bottom of the mouth) that is too short, restricting the movement of the tongue. This may make it difficult to breastfeed, swallow, or speak.

A children’s dentist can quickly cut the frenulum on a tongue-tied baby using a small handheld laser. This procedure is painless and involves minimal bleeding, allowing you to easily correct this anatomical problem while your child is still young.

3. Promote Good Oral Hygiene

Oral hygiene is just as important for children as it is for adults. In fact, it is even more crucial. Good habits established in childhood will often continue into adult life.

Your child’s dentist will take the time to educate them on topics such as tooth decay, hygiene habits, and healthy eating. The more your child knows about why oral health and dental care are so important, the more likely they are to take care of their teeth and gums in the future. The dentist will also provide more gentle dental cleanings and may allow your child to take breaks during the procedure when needed, making it less stressful for them to have the tartar cleaned from their teeth.

4. Prevent Cavities

When your child’s oral hygiene is good, they will develop fewer cavities. With regular dental visits, any decay that develops will also be caught and treated early.

A children’s dentist will care for your child’s oral health throughout their development and teach them to do the same. They will diagnose and treat any cavities your child has, then offer advice on how to prevent these problems in the future. They can also administer preventive treatments like fluoride varnish and sealant application to strengthen your child’s teeth and make them more resistant to decay in the future.

5. Guide Your Kids Through the Teething Process

Teething can be a difficult time, especially for first-time parents. It is devastating to see your child in pain when you feel powerless to help them.

A children’s dentist can guide you through the teething stage. They can answer all your questions about topics like when your child will begin teething, how long it will last, which teeth will erupt first, and how best to manage your child’s pain. Not only does this give you actionable information you can use to navigate this situation, but it may also relieve some of your own anxiety surrounding this process.

6. Help Break Your Child’s Bad Dental Habits

Oral habits like thumb-sucking and pacifier use are developmentally appropriate at a certain age, but they cannot go on forever. If your child does not stop these habits around age 2, the alignment of their teeth may be affected.

Dentists know how important it is to break those habits early and keep your child from continuing them as their permanent teeth begin to erupt. They can guide you through different strategies meant to help you wean your child off this behaviour, giving you the best chance of curbing it before it can take a toll on your child’s teeth.

7. Screen Your Child’s Orthodontic Needs

By the time your child is around 7 years old, many of their adult teeth will have erupted. Their dentist can examine these permanent teeth to predict the final alignment of your child’s bite and let you know how likely it is that they will need braces. Many parents find this advanced warning very helpful.

8. Help with Dental Emergencies

Active children are prone to dental injuries from falls, rough contact during sports, and other physical impacts. Because of this, it is not unlikely that your child will need emergency dental care at some point before they grow up.

Most children’s dentists also serve as emergency dentists with options to book urgent appointments when needed. You will know exactly where to take your child when a dental emergency happens, ensuring timely treatment and giving you valuable peace of mind.

9. Encourage Lifelong Oral Care

Early experiences are an extremely important part of your child’s development. If your child’s first few dental visits are stressful and frightening, that impression may stick with them for life and make it hard for them to access the dental care they need.

A child-friendly dentist can give your child a positive outlook on dental care that will set them up for good oral health for life. These professionals create a fun, comfortable atmosphere for your child’s dental care, giving them that all-important positive foundation.

10. Engage Your Kids in Their Own Dental Health

Most children are fearful of unknown experiences, but they are also curious by nature. A children’s dentist knows how to harness that curiosity to make dental appointments more engaging and less scary.

They might let your child touch and hold their tools before the dentist uses them in your child’s mouth. If they are particularly anxious, it may help for them to see the tools used on a parent first to show that they are safe and effective. This gives your child the chance to learn more about how dentistry works and why it is never a scary experience with the best dentists.

Visit Top Children’s Dentists at the Best Dental Clinic in Mississauga

You take your children’s dental care seriously, and so do we. At Trillium Smile Dentistry, our children’s dentists do everything they can to provide a superior experience for their young patients. We also offer direct billing, so you can easily use your dental insurance to cover your children’s eligible dental expenses. Call us at 905-828-9894 or contact us online today to book an appointment for your child and set them up for better oral health for life.

Also Read: 10 Reasons Why You Should Choose a Family Dentist

Do you and your children have a family dentist? If not, you should begin looking for one. Family dentists do much more than just clean and examine your teeth: they are your partner in the journey to improve your family’s oral health. Here are some of the top reasons it is worth your time to establish a relationship with a dentist for your family’s oral health needs.

Top 10 Benefits of Having a Family Dentist

1. Reduce Dental Anxiety

Do you become anxious when thinking of going to the dentist? Many people do, and it may be challenging for them to fight through the feeling for long enough to go to their appointment.

Having a family dentist builds predictability and familiarity in your dental visits. You know you will always see the same familiar faces in the usual office, which reduces some of the stress of the visit. This is especially important for children who are reluctant to go to the dentist. If they never feel comfortable in the dentist’s chair, they will try to avoid visits for as long as possible. This may cause them to miss out on preventive care like routine cleanings and oral exams that could reduce their likelihood of developing dental problems in the future.

2. Your Dentist Knows Your History

If you visit a different dentist every time, the dentist treating you will not know anything about your medical history. Your family dentist, on the other hand, keeps an extensive file on your medical history. They know things like:

This allows them to give you the best possible care and avoid triggering any adverse reactions to the products they use.

3. Convenience and Flexibility

It can be difficult to get every member to see a dentist regularly in today’s busy families. You will need to work around school hours and activities when booking appointments. If you call last-minute, the dentist might not have enough slots left that day to see everyone at once, forcing you to make multiple trips.

Your family dentist will be happy to arrange all of your family’s dental appointments with one phone call. They may even offer to schedule them back-to-back for added convenience, or at the same time if possible, through other dentists in the office. Many are open during evenings and weekends to help you find the best time for your visit.

4. Prevent Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is extremely common in Canada, affecting nearly all Canadian adults at some point in their lives. However, it is not inevitable. With good home care and regular visits to your dentist, you can avoid developing cavities in your teeth.

A family dentist is best suited to help you and your children reduce your chances of tooth decay. They can chart any existing or developing cavities, apply fluoride treatments to slow the decay, and offer personalized guidance to help you improve your oral hygiene routine and eating habits.

5. Prevent Gum Disease

Gum disease is a serious oral health problem. Bleeding, painful gums are bad enough, but the problems do not end there. If the infection sets into your jawbone and begins to cause bone loss, your teeth may start to shift around and fall out. This is one of the leading causes of tooth loss, especially in older people.

Gum disease is preventable and can even be reversed in its early stages. Seeing your family dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups will help you ward off gum disease and keep your teeth healthy and intact for as long as possible.

6. Consistent Access to Services

If you are not a regular patient at a particular dental office, you might have trouble getting appointments when you need them. This is often seen when attempting to book an appointment several months in the future.

Having a dedicated family dentist eliminated this problem. Not only will they allow you to book ahead of time, but they will often suggest that you do without you even having to ask.

7. Brighter Smiles

Maintaining bright, white teeth is an important part of personal grooming for both children and adults. Teenagers are especially likely to feel self-conscious about stained or yellow teeth. Getting regular dental cleanings at your family dentist’s office will help your whole family maintain brighter smiles all year long.

If you have a special event coming up or just want to achieve an even brighter white, you can also ask your family dentist about professional whitening treatments. Using these, your dentist may be able to make your teeth several shades lighter still.

8. Preventive Care

Preventive dental care plays a significant role in keeping your teeth and gums healthy. People who receive regular dental care are less likely to develop severe problems like advanced tooth decay, periodontitis, or dental abscesses.

Your family dentist will see all your family members on a regular basis. They can spot problems before they develop into severe issues and make the appropriate interventions to keep them from becoming worse. They can also clean any built-up tartar off your teeth and suggest things you can do at home to better care for your oral health.

9. Emergency Dental Services

Most children are extremely accident-prone, and their teeth are often easier to dislodge or break than an adult’s teeth would be. If they were to get hit in the head or jaw, there is a decent chance that some dental damage may be done.

Having a family dentist allows you to rest easy, knowing that if something does happen, you know where to go to get your child’s teeth examined and fixed. Considering that timing is critical to achieving the best results in many cases, this is no small advantage.

10. Access to A Range of Dental Services

Each member of your family needs different types of dental care. From orthodontic screenings and cavity prevention to tooth extraction and implant placement, you will need a dentist that can do it all.

A good family dentist in Mississauga offers services for patients of all ages. Whether you need tips on how to care for your baby’s first few teeth or need to have a crown placed on a severely damaged tooth, you can go to the same dental office you always visit and have all of your family’s dental needs addressed.

Book Your Family Dentist Appointments with the Best Dentist in Mississauga

Having a family dentist can make a significant difference in the oral health of you and your children. Find yours today at Trillium Smile Dentistry. Dr. Tousi and her team are always happy to take on new patients of all ages, and with our sterling reputation, you can be sure that your family will receive the quality dental care they need. Contact us today at 905-828-9894 or fill out our online form to set up your first round of appointments today.

Dental crowns, sometimes also called caps, are small, tooth-shaped covers that are placed over a natural tooth. These prosthetics extend to the gum line, covering the affected tooth from top to bottom.

A well-made crown looks just like a natural tooth and allows you to chew food the same way you would with your original dentition. This makes crowns an excellent solution for both aesthetic and functional oral issues. You can learn more about this time-tested dental care option in the guide below.

Children require regular dental care as much as any other type of healthcare, even when they are very young. The Canadian Dental Association recommends that all children visit a dentist before their first birthday and receive regular dental checkups every six months afterwards.

However, finding a family dentist in Mississauga is not always an easy task. You must choose a dentist that is able to provide reliable, convenient care for both the children and adults in your family. This guide will identify what to look for at a family dentist and offer tips to find the right one for you.