Curly haired little girl looking and smiling to the dentist after a checking up

Children’s Dentist in London, Ontario: We Care about Kids

Are you looking for a friendly pediatric dentist in London, Ontario, who truly cares about kids? Look no further than Cosmo Dental Centre. We specialize in providing reliable children’s dentistry services, including early childhood tooth decay (ECTD) treatments, dental cleanings, and exams. If you’re in London, Argyle, or Huron Heights, we can provide dentistry services for your entire family in one clinic. Contact us today to discuss your child’s dental needs.

Pediatric Dental Exams

During your child’s first dental visit — depending on their age — they may receive a comprehensive examination of their teeth, jaws, bite, gums, and oral tissues to assess their growth and development. If necessary, a gentle cleaning may also be performed, including teeth polishing and the removal of plaque, tartar, and stains.

The dentist will also spend time with your child to educate them on the importance of good oral hygiene practices. By establishing excellent oral hygiene habits early on, your child can develop healthy habits that will carry into adulthood.

Early childhood tooth decay, also called baby bottle tooth decay and nursing bottle mouth, is characterized by cavities in newborns and young children’s upper front teeth. Unfortunately, most liquids, excluding water, contain some sugar. This includes milk, formula, and unsweetened fruit juices. When these sugars interact with microorganisms in the mouth, acid is produced, leading to tooth destruction.

Cavities can appear soon after your child's teeth start to emerge, even as early as nine months old. Due to their young age and the extent of damage, extensive and costly dental care is often necessary.

How to Prevent ECTD

There are various ways to prevent early childhood tooth decay, including:

Avoid placing a bottle or sippy cup in your child's mouth. If they must use one, fill it with water.
Say no to dipping soothers in sugary substances like honey, syrup or jam.
Start teaching your child to drink from a cup around six months of age. By 12 months, they should be drinking exclusively from a cup.
Introduce solid foods to your child from around six months of age. Offer a wide variety of nutritious foods with different textures and flavours.
Regularly inspect your child's teeth and gums by gently lifting their lips. If you notice any chalky, white or brown stains, make sure to visit the dentist right away.

Remember, early childhood tooth decay can be reversed with treatment if caught in the early stages. That's why it's crucial for your child to visit the dentist no later than their third birthday, and yearly visits are recommended thereafter. The Canadian Dental Association even suggests infants should see a dentist within six months of their first tooth appearing. The goal is to have your child visit the dentist before any issues arise with their teeth.

How to Clean Your Child’s Teeth

Cleaning or brushing your kids’ teeth helps eliminate the bacteria responsible for decay. Here are some helpful tips for each stage of your child's dental care journey, from infancy to adolescence:

Start cleaning your baby's teeth as soon as the first tooth emerges using a wet cloth or a small children's toothbrush with water.
From 18 months to six years of age, use a small pea-sized amount of children's low-fluoride toothpaste on a soft toothbrush.
Once your child turns six, they can use a pea-sized amount of standard fluoride toothpaste.
Children typically need assistance with brushing until they can do it well by themselves, usually around eight years old. Show them how to brush by demonstrating the same brushing pattern to minimize missed spots.

Dental Fluorosis

According to the dental literature, there’s considerable worry regarding the impact of excessive fluoride from toothpaste on the growth of children’s teeth. This condition is characterized by microscopic white flecks, larger white regions, or in some cases, pitting or brown spots. It’s impossible to anticipate if fluorosis will emerge and how it will manifest. It's important to note that fluorosis occurs while their teeth are still developing.

To prevent dental fluorosis, use low- or non-fluoride toothpaste until your child reaches the age of seven. You can often find non-fluoride toothpaste at health food stores or choose from popular brands like Early Years, Kidz Pre Step, or Tom's of Maine, available at most large pharmacies.

Dental Sealant for Kids

When it comes to protecting your child's teeth, dental sealants can be a game-changer. Children often struggle to brush their teeth at the back of their mouth, making them more susceptible to cavities. Dental sealants help reduce this risk by applying a long-lasting plastic adhesive to the grooves of vulnerable teeth, making it harder for plaque to accumulate and cavities to form.

How Dental Sealing Works

Here’s an overview of the dental sealing process for children:

First, the dentist will thoroughly examine your child's teeth to assess their suitability for sealants. They’ll check whether the teeth surfaces are free of decay and ensure the teeth themselves meet the criteria for sealing.
Then, the dentist will meticulously clean and dry your child’s teeth. Subsequently, they’ll apply an etching gel to the cracks and enamel surrounding the area, allowing it to sit for approximately 30 to 60 seconds.
Lastly, the dentist will apply the sealant to the tooth's surface and utilize a high-intensity light source to polymerize, or harden, it.

The treatment is painless and typically takes around three minutes per tooth. To prevent decay, sealants should be applied as soon as your child’s teeth erupt.

Children’s Dentist in London, Ontario

Are you looking for pediatric dentistry services in the area around London, Argyle and Huron Heights? Cosmo Dental Centre in London is the place to go. Our team of dedicated pediatric dentists is passionate about providing exceptional kid’s dentistry services. Our goal is to create a safe and inviting atmosphere, so your child feels comfortable when visiting the dentist. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.