FAQ’s

Frequently Asked Questions

When should a child start visiting the dentist?
Both the Canadian and American Academies of Pediatric Dentistry recommend that children visit the dentist by their first birthday (or six months after the eruption of their first tooth).

These visits are largely for preventive reasons but also allow dentists to begin an early relationship with them in the hope that by the time they start school, they will be expert patients!

We often hear, “I’m waiting to bring my child to the dentist because I know they won’t sit for an exam”. We say this is all the more reason to bring them to the dentist. Our staff is great at winning kids over and even if we don’t achieve a full exam on their first visit, it’s a start, which means that the following visit will be easier.

How often should a child see the dentist?
Most children benefit from seeing the dentist every 6 months for check-up (recall) exam and cleaning

After your first dental visit, your pediatric dentist will recommend an appropriate frequency for your child’s appointment.

Why are x-rays recommended?
X-rays allow dentists to assess developing teeth and to determine if there are any cavities within teeth, especially ones that hide between the teeth and that are not visible to the naked eye.
How should I care for my child’s teeth at home?
Brush with your child twice a day for 2 minutes and floss every night when their teeth start to contact

Until a child has acquired proper manual dexterity (can tie shoelaces and cut food with a fork and knife), we recommend that children have parental assistance for brushing

It is normal for young children to not always want to cooperate for brushing teeth. If this is a common occurrence, please speak with our dental professionals for suggestions on how to help.

Why use fluoride toothpaste?
Fluoride is recommended by the Canadian Dental Association and the Canadian Academy of Pediatric Dentists.

When used appropriately, fluoride helps to strengthen enamel, making it more resistant to the softening effects of a cavity

When should I start using fluoride toothpaste?
The Canadian Dental Association and the Canadian Academy of Pediatric Dentists recommend starting to use a smear of fluoride toothpaste when a child is about 2.5 years old. At this time, the last of the baby molars come into (erupt in) the mouth and these teeth typically have deeper grooves and are typically harder to reach.

Most children will learn to spit out reliably between ages 3 and 4. At this time, you can use up to a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.

How to prepare your child for a dental visit?
Schedule your appointment at a time when your child is at his/her best

Play dentist-patient at home with your child, practice opening wide and counting teeth

Stay positive about the experience

Read an age-appropriate book about going to the dentist

When do baby teeth fall out?

Baby teeth usually start to fall out around age 6 (range is 4yrs to 8 yrs) and finish around age 12.

Baby tooth eruption chart 

Why are baby teeth important?
Baby teeth are important for chewing and also for guiding the position of the adult teeth.

When baby teeth are lost prematurely, their permanent successors often come in (erupt) either in a wrong direction or lack the space to come in (erupt) altogether.

Are dental visits pain free?
There is sometimes an expectation that dental visits should be pain free, however this isn’t always the case despite our best efforts. We aim to always be gentle yet some things that are required can be uncomfortable, and everyone’s interpretation of pain and tolerances of pain can also be different. We’d be happy to discuss any concerns you might have about this.
My child has been referred to your office. Will their teeth be fixed on their first visit at your office?
We usually recommend that an exam be done with our pediatric dentist prior to beginning any treatment despite the fact that you may have already had an exam done at another office. We do this because it allows us to make our own diagnosis of what needs to be done. We sometimes need to take (or re-take) x-rays. It also gives us an opportunity to discuss treatment options, sedation options (if needed) and consider cost of treatment.

If a child is in pain then we will do our best to treat their pain as soon as possible, and sometimes on their first visit.

Our Clients Success Stories

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K. McSweeney

K. McSweeney

All four of my children see Dr. Karen. Her excellent engagement with my kids & I makes our visits very stress-free and helpful. She always takes the extra time to answer all of our questions and explains how we can help ensure our kids' teeth stay as healthy as possible. A great pediatric dentist!

L. Cournoyer

L. Cournoyer

My children have been patients of Dr. Karen since they were toddlers. She has always made us feel very comfortable and relaxed. We love her brand new office and highly recommend Superkids to anyone looking for a great, kid-friendly dentist with a comfortable atmosphere.