Children's Visual Screening Exam
We offer a quick visual screening exam for children ages 1-2 years at no charge! Call us at 519-686-6200 or email us at drjackbottner@gmail.com for an appointment.
According to The Canadian Dental Association, early visits allow us to teach children the importance of dental care and give you the opportunity to find out whether the oral hygiene routine you have established for your child is sufficient. It also enables us to identify potential problems before they become too serious.
Your Child's First Visit
Here is an outline of what you can expect at your child’s first visit with us:
How to Care for Your Child's Teeth
Good dental hygiene habits should begin before your child's first tooth comes in. Wiping your baby's gums with a soft damp cloth after feedings helps to prevent the buildup of bacteria. When teeth appear, start using a soft children's toothbrush twice a day.
Once your child is preschool-age, start using fluoride toothpaste, a pea-sized amount is just right.
Cavities are holes that are formed when bacteria (germs) in your mouth use the sugar in food to make acid. This acid eats away at the teeth. Good tooth care can keep cavities from happening in your child. Your child might be at risk for cavities if he or she eats a lot of sugary foods (such as raisins, cookies and candy) and drinks a lot of sweet liquids (such as fruit juice and punch, soda and sweetened drinks). Your child also might be at risk if he or she has any of the following risk factors:
Teeth should be brushed at least twice a day and adults should floss their childs' teeth once a day. Everyone should see the dentist twice a year. Have your doctor or dentist show you the right way to brush your child's teeth. Avoiding sweets, sticky foods and between-meal snacks is good advice. To avoid cavities, limit sweet snacks and drinks between meals. Have meals and snacks at regular times. Teeth-friendly snacks include fresh fruits and vegetables, and cheese and crackers.
Baby bottles can create additional problems with your child's dental health. When liquid from a bottle stays in contact with the teeth for a long time, the sugars cause tooth decay. If you must give your child a bottle before bed, water is recommended. Your baby's teeth can develop cavities and become pitted or discolored with juice or milk. Don't let your child walk around during the day with a bottle, and teach your child to use a drinking cup around his or her first birthday.
It's normal for children to suck their thumbs, their fingers or a pacifier. Most children give up this habit on their own by age 4, with no harm done to their teeth. If your child still has a sucking habit after age 4, tell your dentist. In most children there is no reason to worry about a sucking habit until around age 6, when the permanent front teeth come in.
The Canadian Dental Association recommends that parents take their child to a dentist no later than his or her first birthday. This gives the dentist a chance to look for early problems with your child's teeth. Pediatric dentists specialize in treating children's dental health. You and your child's dentist should review important information about diet, bottles, tooth brushing and fluoride use. Visiting the dentist from a young age will help your child become comfortable with his or her dentist. It also establishes the good habit of regular dental check-ups.
According to The Canadian Dental Association, early visits allow us to teach children the importance of dental care and give you the opportunity to find out whether the oral hygiene routine you have established for your child is sufficient. It also enables us to identify potential problems before they become too serious.
Your Child's First Visit
Here is an outline of what you can expect at your child’s first visit with us:
- At this first visit, we aim to make the appointment go as quickly as possible to minimize anxiety.
- The first visit is not intended to be a rigorous examination of your child’s mouth. It is an initial assessment that allows us to gauge the overall health of your child’s teeth and gums. It also offers a gentle introduction to dental care for your child.
- We try to keep the visit fun. Rides in the dental chair, television on the ceiling, and our toy box lighten the atmosphere.
- If we feel further work is necessary, we will outline our concerns and your options for care. A referral to a specialist in children's dentistry may be suggested.
- We welcome your questions and encourage you to share your feedback with us at any time!
How to Care for Your Child's Teeth
Good dental hygiene habits should begin before your child's first tooth comes in. Wiping your baby's gums with a soft damp cloth after feedings helps to prevent the buildup of bacteria. When teeth appear, start using a soft children's toothbrush twice a day.
Once your child is preschool-age, start using fluoride toothpaste, a pea-sized amount is just right.
Cavities are holes that are formed when bacteria (germs) in your mouth use the sugar in food to make acid. This acid eats away at the teeth. Good tooth care can keep cavities from happening in your child. Your child might be at risk for cavities if he or she eats a lot of sugary foods (such as raisins, cookies and candy) and drinks a lot of sweet liquids (such as fruit juice and punch, soda and sweetened drinks). Your child also might be at risk if he or she has any of the following risk factors:
- Was born early (prematurely) or weighed very little at birth (low birth weight)
- Has ongoing special health care needs
- Has white spots or brown areas on any teeth
- Does not go to the dentist very often
Teeth should be brushed at least twice a day and adults should floss their childs' teeth once a day. Everyone should see the dentist twice a year. Have your doctor or dentist show you the right way to brush your child's teeth. Avoiding sweets, sticky foods and between-meal snacks is good advice. To avoid cavities, limit sweet snacks and drinks between meals. Have meals and snacks at regular times. Teeth-friendly snacks include fresh fruits and vegetables, and cheese and crackers.
Baby bottles can create additional problems with your child's dental health. When liquid from a bottle stays in contact with the teeth for a long time, the sugars cause tooth decay. If you must give your child a bottle before bed, water is recommended. Your baby's teeth can develop cavities and become pitted or discolored with juice or milk. Don't let your child walk around during the day with a bottle, and teach your child to use a drinking cup around his or her first birthday.
It's normal for children to suck their thumbs, their fingers or a pacifier. Most children give up this habit on their own by age 4, with no harm done to their teeth. If your child still has a sucking habit after age 4, tell your dentist. In most children there is no reason to worry about a sucking habit until around age 6, when the permanent front teeth come in.
The Canadian Dental Association recommends that parents take their child to a dentist no later than his or her first birthday. This gives the dentist a chance to look for early problems with your child's teeth. Pediatric dentists specialize in treating children's dental health. You and your child's dentist should review important information about diet, bottles, tooth brushing and fluoride use. Visiting the dentist from a young age will help your child become comfortable with his or her dentist. It also establishes the good habit of regular dental check-ups.