What you need to know.

Pediatric dentists complete two to three years of additional specialized training to focus exclusively on infants, children with special needs, and adolescents. Family dentists treat patients of every age — including kids.

We recommend a first check-up by your child's first birthday or whenever the first tooth appears, whichever comes first. Early visits help us spot any concerns and give parents a chance to ask questions.

Your child meets the dentist in a friendly, low-pressure environment. We'll do a visual exam, observe their behaviour, and possibly take a small x-ray. We keep the first visit short and positive — anything more involved gets scheduled separately.

Try not to project your own dental anxiety. Keep it simple and honest — 'the doctor is going to count your teeth' works well. Most kids approach the dentist with less worry than their parents do.

Every six months for most kids — we'll let you know if your child's individual needs call for a different schedule.

Yes. We file claims directly and only collect any remaining balance from you.

Yes — including the Canada Dental Care Plan (CDCP), Healthy Smiles Ontario, and the First Nations Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program.

Kids keep their primary teeth until ages 9–13. They support chewing, speech, and most importantly they guide adult teeth into place. Untreated cavities can also cause infection and pain.

At least twice a day — morning and before bed. Brushing right before sleep is the most important.

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush from the start. For babies, just clean the mouth with a damp cloth. Once teeth appear, use fluoride toothpaste — a rice-grain-sized amount under age two, a pea-sized amount from ages two to five. Always supervise.

Yes. Begin flossing once teeth start to fit closely together (usually ages 2–6). Most kids can floss independently around age 10.

A balanced diet with all five food groups. Frequent snacking — especially on sticky foods, hard candies, and breath mints — increases cavity risk by extending acid attacks on enamel. Vegetables, low-fat yogurt, and low-fat cheese are all tooth-friendly snacks.

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay (BBTD) is severe decay that destroys upper front and lower back teeth in toddlers, usually by ages 2–3. It happens when bottles of milk, juice, or sweetened drinks stay in the child's mouth for long periods.

Use bottles only at mealtimes, not as a pacifier. Avoid soft drinks, juice, and sweetened drinks in bottles. Break the nighttime/nap-time bottle habit, or gradually dilute the contents with water.

All 20 baby teeth typically erupt by age three, with timing varying widely. Lower central incisors usually come in first, around six months. Permanent teeth start arriving around age six.

Nighttime grinding (bruxism) rarely needs treatment. Most kids outgrow it naturally between ages 9–12. Ask your pediatric dentist if you're concerned.

A clear or white acrylic resin painted onto the chewing surfaces of back teeth — where most cavities form in children. It's painless, fast, affordable, and significantly reduces decay risk.