Dental Care for Kids in Kitchener
Kids pick up their feelings about the dentist early, and those feelings tend to stick. At Fairway Dental we see children from Kitchener and the surrounding area for checkups, cleanings, fillings and the odd emergency, and we try hard to make each visit something they don’t dread. This page covers what dental care for kids in Kitchener looks like at our office, from the first visit to what to do when a tooth gets knocked during a hockey game. If you’d rather just talk it through, call us at 519-893-9494.
Why early dental visits matter for kids
Parents sometimes ask why we fuss over teeth that will fall out anyway. Fair question. Baby teeth save room for the permanent ones, help kids chew and talk properly, and a cavity in one is every bit as painful as a cavity in a grown-up tooth.
Regular visits let us catch small problems while they’re still small. A spot of early decay can sometimes be managed with better brushing and a fluoride treatment instead of a filling.
Your child’s first visit at our Kitchener office
Every child is different, so call us and we’ll let you know when to book your child’s first visit. If you’ve noticed something specific, like a brown or chalky patch on a tooth, puffy gums or a tooth that seems to bother them, don’t wait for a routine visit. Call and tell us what you’re seeing.
A first visit is usually short and relaxed. Here’s what tends to happen:
- We introduce ourselves, let your child ride the chair up and down and look at a couple of the instruments before we start
- The dentist has a look at each tooth, the gums and the way the top and bottom teeth meet
- If your child is comfortable, we may do a light cleaning
- We talk with you about brushing, snacks, drinks and any habits like thumb sucking
Young kids often sit on a parent’s lap for the first visit, and that’s completely fine. We’d rather go slowly and have a happy child than rush through everything in one go.
Cleanings and checkups for children
Once your child is used to coming in, most visits follow a simple routine. The hygienist cleans away plaque and tartar, polishes the teeth and shows your child (and you) the spots the toothbrush keeps missing. The dentist then does a dental exam to check for decay, gum problems and changes in the bite.
Sometimes the dentist will recommend dental x-rays to look between the teeth or see how adult teeth are developing under the gums. We only take them when there’s a reason to, and we’ll explain what we’re looking for. If we find a cavity, we’ll talk with you about options, which may include a tooth-coloured filling.
Fluoride and sealants
Fluoride helps strengthen enamel and makes teeth more resistant to decay. At a checkup, the dentist may suggest a fluoride treatment, which is quick and painless: a varnish or gel goes on the teeth and that’s about it. At home, a fluoride toothpaste used in the right amount for your child’s age does a lot of the work.
Sealants are a thin plastic layer brushed onto the chewing surfaces of back teeth, where grooves can trap food. Not every child needs them. The dentist will look at your child’s teeth and let you know whether sealants make sense.
What to do in a child’s dental emergency
Kids fall off bikes, run into each other at recess and bite down on things they shouldn’t. Here’s what to do in the moment:
- Toothache: have them swish warm water around, floss gently in case food is stuck, then phone us. Don’t put anything like aspirin directly on the gum.
- Chipped or broken tooth: have your child rinse, keep any fragments you find and hold something cold against the cheek if it starts to swell.
- Knocked out adult tooth: hold it by the crown (the white part) and avoid touching the root. If it’s dirty, give it a quick rinse, then try to put it back in the socket or keep it in milk. Call us right away, because time matters.
- Knocked out baby tooth: leave it out. Pushing it back can harm the permanent tooth growing beneath it. Phone us and we’ll check the spot.
- Cut lip, tongue or cheek: press gently with clean gauze or a cloth to stop the bleeding.
Our emergency dentist in Kitchener page has more detail. For swelling in the face that makes breathing or swallowing hard, bleeding you can’t control, or a jaw injury together with a blow to the head, go to the nearest hospital emergency department first.
Making visits comfortable for kids
A little preparation at home goes a long way. Read a book about going to the dentist, play dentist with a stuffed animal, or let your child count your teeth. Try to keep the words you use neutral. Saying “it won’t hurt” can plant the idea that it might.
In the chair, we explain each step in plain words before we start, and we let kids hold the mirror or feel the polishing brush on a fingernail first. If your child needs a break, we take one. If a visit isn’t going well, we’d rather stop, regroup and try again another day than push through and leave them with a bad memory.
Booking for your family
Got more than one child, or due for a checkup yourself? Mention it when you call. We’ll try to find times that work for your family so you aren’t making several separate trips.
Insurance, direct billing and the CDCP
We bill most dental plans directly, so most families aren’t left paying the whole bill and waiting for a refund cheque. Many plans cover routine checkups and cleanings for children, but coverage varies, so it’s worth checking your plan or asking us to help you sort out what’s included.
Eligible children are covered by the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), which we also bill directly. Eligibility and coverage details can change, so please confirm them on canada.ca. Our Canadian Dental Care Plan page explains how it works at our office. For anything your plan doesn’t cover, we accept credit cards and cash.
Common questions from parents
When should I book my child’s first dental visit?
Call us and we’ll let you know when to book your child’s first visit. If you notice anything unusual before then, like a spot on a tooth or sore gums, call sooner.
Can I stay with my child during the appointment?
Yes. Many parents stay in the room, especially for the first few visits. Older kids sometimes want to go in solo, which is perfectly okay.
Do cavities in baby teeth really need to be treated?
Often, yes. A cavity in a baby tooth can cause pain and infection and can affect the adult tooth underneath. The dentist will look at how deep it is and how long the tooth is likely to stay, then talk with you about the options.
What if my child is nervous?
Let us know when you book. We’ll take things slowly, explain everything first and keep the visit short if needed. Nervous kids usually settle once they see nothing scary is going to happen.
Book a visit for your child in Kitchener
A first checkup, a routine cleaning or a sore tooth today: we can help with all of them. Call Fairway Dental at 519-893-9494 to book dental care for your kids in Kitchener. If something can’t wait, ask about our same day dental appointments.
