Kids

“Early dental visits help prevent anxiety and build comfort with the dental environment.”

When should my child’s first visit be? 

It's crucial to start taking your child to the dentist as soon as their first tooth appears. That’s right, sometimes that is as early as 6-8 months! 

While your little one may not sit still for long, the first visit might just be a fun ride in the dental chair, reading one of our many books or a walk around to say hi to everyone who works here. These early appointments play an important role in familiarising your child with the dental environment. Creating a positive experience from the start can help prevent dental anxiety later in life. This initial visit is also an ideal opportunity for parents to ask any questions about their child's dental care. Common concerns include when to stop using a soother, whether it’s okay to give milk before bedtime, the best time to start brushing and flossing, and other oral hygiene practices. 

After the first appointment, it's essential to maintain regular dental check-ups every 6 months thereafter. Baby teeth, also known as primary teeth, are more prone to cavities and need to be monitored closely to ensure your child's oral health stays on track. Early prevention sets the foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles!

What treatment options do you provide for children? 

At Toothlife, our treatment philosophy, particularly for children, is centred on being as minimally invasive as possible. This approach ensures that your child remains comfortable and relaxed during their dental visits, creating a positive experience from the start. When it comes to cavities, we offer various treatment options based on the severity of the lesion. For smaller cavities, we provide Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) treatment. SDF is an effective, non-invasive option that helps stop cavities from progressing, thanks to its antimicrobial properties from silver and the protective release of fluoride. It’s an ideal choice for children with early-stage cavities, as it requires no drilling or numbing. For larger cavities that may require a filling, we offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to keep your child calm and comfortable throughout the procedure. Our experienced dental team will work closely with you to determine the best treatment option for your child, prioritizing their safety, well-being, and long-term oral health.

What do the appointments look like at Toothlife?

At Toothlife Studios, we LOVE kids!! We go above and beyond to make sure they have the best experience possible and want to continue returning to the dental office, without fear. The appointments for children look very different than other dental offices. We make the appointments as fun as possible by doing magic tricks, reading them books, using fun glasses, and various other methods to keep them interested and occupied during the visit. By making the appointments fun, children are more likely to enjoy coming to the dentist and oral homecare habits become easier. We conduct comprehensive assessments on the future development of their teeth, facial structures, and airway and discuss strategies to eliminate bad oral habits such as thumb sucking and tongue thrusts. Irene Iancu practices Myofunctional therapy and is a wealth of knowledge in the development of children and their oral structures.