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Dental X-Rays for Children
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Dental x-rays are an important diagnostic tool used in pediatric dentistry and dentistry as a whole. Dentists use x-rays to diagnose problems with your child’s teeth, which are not clearly visible during an oral examination. As parents, you might be concerned about the amount of radiation exposure your child gets from dental x-rays and so at Kids Dental Group, we gathered relevant information to help you become aware of the importance of x-rays to children’s oral health.

Based on the International Commission on Radiologic Protection, a dentist should adhere to the ALARA principle (As Low as Reasonably Achievable) when it comes to the use of dental x-rays. With this principle, necessary precautions are followed to ensure that exposures to x-rays are kept as low as possible and below the allowable limits and are justified with its benefits.

With children’s dental health, x-rays are only recommended when necessary following a thorough and complete dental and clinical examination. Dentists also use the CDA (Canadian Dental Association) guidelines that outline the possible clinical cases when dental x-rays are needed in diagnosing children’s dental problems.

By following the recommended principles and guidelines in using x-rays, dentists will be able to decide what type of imaging will be used, the frequency and interval of X-rays and the number of images need to be obtained when conducting x-rays on children.

If you have questions regarding dental x-rays for children, you can contact our office at Kids Dental Group. Our offices are located in Stouffville, Markham and Richmond Hill. Here at Kids Dental Group, we are here to help with your children’s dental health.

– The Kids Dental Group Team

Fluoride Use For Children
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While brushing and flossing are essential in maintaining good oral health care and in the prevention of tooth decay and gum disease, the use of Fluoride in children is equally important to tooth development and cavity prevention too.

Dental caries are one of the most common oral diseases in children, but you don’t have to fret over this statistic, because caries are a preventable disease. Thanks to a proper oral hygiene routine and the use of fluoride, children can now fight tooth decay!

According to Pediatric Child Health, Fluoride prevents tooth decay mainly by its topical effect. How? Fluoride inhibits bacteria to grow and prevent the formation of plaque. It also prevents demineralization by incorporating on the tooth surface to inhibit acid attack. Lastly, Fluoride helps with enamel remineralization.

One of the best ways to get fluoride is by drinking water. Fluoridation of water is supported by many organizations in Canada. Another way to get fluoride is by using fluoride toothpaste when brushing teeth. Fluoride supplements are also available for children.

To learn more about the use of fluoride for children, don’t hesitate to contact us at Kids Dental Group in Stouffville, Richmond Hill and Markham. Our pediatric dental team is here to help!

– The Kids Dental Group Team

Helping Bad Breath for Kids
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Bad breath or also known as “halitosis” can be an uncomfortable and embarrassing dental problem for anyone, including kids and teenagers. Children like adults experience bad breath too. Though halitosis among children has less social implications compared to adults, it’s still a condition that warrants treatment.

Kids develop halitosis due to two main reasons. First, kids and toddlers fail to brush their teeth regularly. The second one is that they breathe through their mouth instead of their nose. Young children dislike brushing their teeth thoroughly, and this causes food particles to accumulate in their mouth and stimulate bacterial growth, which lead to cavities, tartar buildup, and bad breath. On the other hand, breathing through the mouth can also cause dry mouth, which leads to halitosis too.

Other causes of bad breath in children are swollen tonsils, sinus infection, foreign object, and other dental problems such as gum disease and tooth decay.

Children are not capable of conveying health problems unless something is causing them pain. Therefore, a regular dental checkup is necessary to ensure that your kids won’t have malodorous breath and in general, maintain a healthy oral cavity.

Daily brushing and flossing can also help treat bad breath. If your child has no signs of infection such as a cold or fever, brushing your kid’s teeth and cleaning their gums are effective enough to treat halitosis. Furthermore, brushing the surface of the tongue can also help relieve bad breath according to the Dental Association.

To learn more about bad breath in children, you can contact us at Kids Dental in Stouffville, Markham, and Richmond Hill.

– The Kids Dental Group Team

Gum Disease in Children
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Like adults, children are also at risk for developing gum disease. Factors like hormonal changes, medications, genetics, medical diseases and poor dental habits can increase the chance of gum disease for children.

As parents, it’s important to prevent these dental complications. Here at Kids Dental Group, we provide valuable information to help you deal with gum disease in children.

Early detection and prevention are better than any type of oral and gum treatment. A comprehensive periodontal examination should be part of a regular dental visit to prevent gum or periodontal disease. If gum disease is undetected, it could lead to tooth loss and jaw problems at a very young age.

One of the best ways to prevent gum disease is to establish a proper oral hygiene routine. As early as 12 months you can use toothpaste to clean your child’s oral cavity. As they grow, teach them how to brush, floss their teeth and clean their tongue. In teaching children, you must first show them the right routine and allow them to do it on their own. Take your children to a dentist for a regular checkup and be aware of the signs and symptoms of gum disease so you can detect them early on.

Signs and symptoms of gum disease include red, swollen gums, bleeding gums, bad breath, gum recession and loose teeth. If you have any questions about gum disease in children, don’t hesitate to call us at Kids Dental Group. Our offices are located in Stouffville, Richmond, and Markham.

– The Kids Dental Group Team

Do Children Need Nerve Treatment (Root Canals)?
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There are specific situations when a baby tooth may require a nerve treatment, similar to a root canal. Nerve treatments are effective and safe treatment to ease pain and prevent the spread of decay in a tooth. Nevertheless, if a nerve treatment is suggested for your child, you may ask why: Baby teeth will fall out in a couple of years so why do children need nerve treatment similar to a root canal?

Primary or baby teeth start to exfoliate between the ages of 6 and 12 years old. For this reason, parents often wonder why a dentist sometimes recommend nerve treatment for their children’s teeth. Sparing your children’s baby teeth until it reaches the exact period where it should shed is important. Instead of losing their baby teeth due to infection or trauma, a nerve treatment is performed to preserve a baby tooth until they normally get loose, shed and get replaced by an adult tooth. This baby tooth is then available for function making it easier for your child to eat and it will hold the space for the developing adult tooth.

Baby teeth are as vital as permanent teeth, so when your children’s teeth are painful, inflamed, sensitive or cracked with the pulp exposed, it’s important to see a dentist as soon as possible.

Nerve treatment for children is done through the method called pulpotomy. Pulpotomy is a procedure where the infected or damaged nerve of the tooth is removed. Your child’s dentist usually eliminates the surface nerve structure in the chamber of the pulp. When the damaged pulp is removed, a baby crown may be placed on the tooth to make it stronger and protect it. This crown will naturally shed along with the baby tooth when the permanent teeth start to grow.

Children’s dental conditions sometimes warrant a pulpotomy or pulpectomy nerve treatment. It is safe and recommended by many pediatric dentists. If you have any questions regarding nerve treatments for your child’s teeth or your child’s dental health, you can contact our pediatric dentists in Stouffville, Richmond Hill, and Markham.

– The Kids Dental Group Team

Your Child’s Diet & Their Oral Health
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Children need the right amount of food from all major food groups to stay healthy and grow properly. The same thing goes with their oral health; children need a well-balanced diet to maintain strong and healthy teeth too.
Most often children love to eat carbohydrates, starches and sugar, which can all lead to tooth decay. Therefore, as a parent, it is important to teach your children about healthy food selections to prevent tooth decay and dental cavities.

Here are some diet tips to maintain your children’s oral health:

Serve water instead of fruit juices: Water is good for oral health. It helps wash away food debris and cleanses the mouth, while fruit juices contain sugar that is not good for your child’s teeth and gums.

Limit snacking between meals: Sugar and starches found in many snacks like cookies, pretzels, chips, chocolate, cakes and dried fruits could create plaque acids, which can cause tooth decay and cavities. Therefore, it is best to limit snacking between meals.

Plenty of vitamins and mineral Intake: Your child needs plenty of phosphorus, fluoride, calcium, zinc, vitamin A, C and D and folic acid to have healthy teeth and gums.

Focus on having sugar-free food for snacks: Sugar reacts with bacteria in your mouth and causes increased acid production, which wears away tooth enamel that leads to tooth decay. Limit food with added sugar and focus on giving your children unsweetened food and snacks.

Having proper nutrition among children is as important as following proper oral hygiene routine to maintain oral health. To learn more about nutrition and oral health for children, contact our office at Kids Dental in Stouffville, Richmond, and Markham.

-The Kids Dental Group Team

The Right Time For A Child To See An Orthodontist
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Parents often ask the question – ‘when should children see an orthodontist?’. In fact, according to Canadian and American Association of Orthodontists, children as young as seven years old are recommended to see an orthodontist for a checkup. In some cases, earlier than seven years old is acceptable, if their condition warrants an orthodontic checkup.

Sometimes, a child’s teeth may appear to be straight but there could be underlying problems that are not easily detectable. Only a professional can properly assess and examine to see if orthodontic treatment is needed. These underlying problems can affect the way permanent teeth erupt. Thumb sucking problems, tooth crowding, a misaligned bite, and jaw problems are some of the cases that if not checked could result in future permanent teeth problems. An orthodontist can carefully pinpoint the dental problems related to malocclusion or misalignment. They are experts in their field of study, and they help prevent potential problems for future adult teeth.

Around the age of seven years old, most of the permanent teeth have erupted, or most children have a combination of temporary and permanent teeth. During this period, an orthodontist can detect problems related to the jaw and permanent teeth growth.

It is easier to correct orthodontic issues when spotted early because the facial and jawbones are still growing. Unlike with adults, a child’s jaw position and width can be guided by orthodontists more easily. Adults have hardened jawbones, and this means orthodontic treatment can be more complex than for a child who is still developing.

If you think your child may need to see an orthodontist, contact us at Kids Dental Group. Our offices are located in Stouffville, Richmond Hill, and Markham. We would love to check in on your child’s smile to keep them healthy!

-The Kids Dental Group Team

Dental Care for Children with Cleft Lip/Palate
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Optimum oral care is essential for all children, but it is particularly important for kids with a cleft lip or palate because they are at a higher risk of having tooth and gum problems. Young children with cleft lip or palate have narrow arches, so cleaning their mouth and teeth can be a more difficult task. Parents should take extra time and care to ensure proper care is given for their child’s mouth.

Here are some dental care tips for parents to help make the job easier:

Proper Dental Hygiene Routine

Children with or without this condition should follow a proper oral routine. Clean teeth with a small soft bristle toothbrush as soon as teeth grow. Brush twice daily or after every meal if possible. Don’t forget to use fluoride toothpaste when brushing!

Dental Checkup

Schedule your child a visit to the dentist as early as one year of age. You can proactively schedule an appointment earlier if your child needs special dental care. Early dental evaluation is necessary to determine the course of treatment for children with a cleft lip/palate. Treatment management depends on the severity of their condition. Some need preventative care; others may require surgery or additional procedures.

Orthodontic Evaluation and Management

Early orthodontic evaluation is also necessary for children with cleft lip or palate. Orthodontists need to assess the facial, bone and jaw growth of your child. When teeth start to grow, your child’s orthodontist will plan a course of action for your child’s dental needs. Short-term and long-term treatment will be expected, as well as monitoring of your child’s jaw growth and oral development.

Collaborative Management with a Dental Surgeon

When your child needs a restorative operation or any dental extraction, the general dentist and orthodontist will have to collaborate with an oral surgeon to determine the best course of action.

Several procedures are needed in managing children with cleft lip or palate. To learn more about pediatric dentistry, contact us at Kids Dental Group. We have three dental offices – you can find us in Stouffville, Richmond Hill, and Markham. Contact us to take care of your child’s dental health today!

-The Kids Dental Group Team

Why Brush Your Child’s Tongue?
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Brushing twice a day and flossing at least once is not enough to remove the harmful bacteria from your child’s mouth. Cleaning their tongue is an essential part of every child’s routine dental care.

The tongue acts like a sponge, which can hold the majority of bacteria found in the mouth. Bacteria can adhere on the rough surface of the tongue. Although the tongue doesn’t decay like teeth can, it can allow bacteria to proliferate causing dental cavities and tooth decay. With proper technique, tongue brushing can remove bacteria, prevent dental cavities and gum disease, as well as relieve bad breath.

When cleaning the tongue, children can use their toothbrush to brush it gently. A thin mucus layer keeps food residues and bacteria trapped in the nooks and crannies of the tongue. Therefore, we advise using a little bit of toothpaste when brushing your child’s tongue. Start brushing at the back of the tongue, working forward. Include the top of the tongue when brushing and then after cleaning the tongue, rinse with water to flush away residues.

Children can also use a tongue scraper. A tongue scraper is good for cleaning the tongue thoroughly. It is made of soft, flexible plastic that can gently scrape away the mucus-based layer of food residue and bacteria from your child’s tongue.

Brushing the tongue should be done at least twice a day, in the morning and at night before going to sleep. Make sure your children adhere to this routine so they can form a healthy dental habit that they will remember into adulthood.

If you have questions regarding tongue cleaning for children, contact us at Kids Dental Group in Markham, Richmond Hill or Stouffville. Our pediatric dental team will help your child keep a healthy and beautiful smile!

– The Kids Dental Group Team

Why Choose a Pediatric Dentist?
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We know the health and well-being of your child is of the utmost importance to you! That’s why when it comes to their first dental appointment, you may wonder if you should bring them to a pediatric dentist or a regular practitioner? At Kids Dental Group, we’re here to help explain the difference! 
 
A pediatric dentist is a specialist in treating the unique needs of a child’s dental care. As a specialist, it is required to complete two to three years of additional training after dental school. This additional training includes education in child psychology and behaviours, pharmacology and up to date training on technology, including patient care. 
 
Our pediatric team also takes the time to explain preventative dental care for your child, hygiene tips and potential treatment options in an easy to understand way! No confusing terminology, just easy communication! 
 
In addition to our team’s experience, we’re prepared for your little ones too! From specialized equipment to interactive toys and prizes – your little ones will feel they are receiving the star treatment! 
 
Another benefit of visiting a pediatric dentist is the focus on preventative care. This article identifies that “pediatric dentists focus on prevention” – and they couldn’t be more right! At Kids Dental Group, we look at your child’s long-term oral health right from their first appointment. We start by helping children to develop healthy oral habits and look to prevent any potential dental problems. Our positive approach to early treatment helps us identify problems before they happen! This helps parents to be proactive about their child’s dental health! Remember, it’s better to be proactive than have to wait for a problem and spend the money and time to fix it! pediatric
 
It can be overwhelming to make decisions about your child’s health care. At Kids Dental Group, we make it simple! Keeping the priority on your child’s health in a safe, experienced and comfortable environment! You can learn about what your child’s first dental visit will be like here. Be sure to book your child’s dental appointment with us in Richmond Hill, Stouffville or Markham today! 
 
– The Kids Dental Group Team 
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