Oral Care TIps Archives - Dental Care For Children Calgary | Pediatric Dentist Calgary

22 Mar 2023

How to Soothe a Teething Baby 101

If you’re a new parent, one of the most challenging experiences you might face is dealing with a teething baby. Teething can cause a lot of discomfort and pain for your little one, and it can be tough to know how to soothe them. Fortunately, you can use several tips and tricks to help your baby feel more comfortable during the teething process. Learn some of the most effective ways to soothe a teething baby from your local pediatric dentist in Calgary.

Teething Tips From Your Local Pediatric Dentist in Calgary

Tip #1: Use a Cold Compress

A cold compress is one of the simplest and most effective ways to soothe a teething baby. You can use a cold washcloth, a chilled spoon, or a teething toy placed in the refrigerator to help numb the gums and ease pain. The coolness can help reduce inflammation and provide a welcome distraction for your little one.

Tip #2: Offer Teething Toys

Teething toys are specially designed to provide relief for teething babies. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and textures, and they’re made from materials that are safe for your baby to chew on. The pressure and motion of biting down on a teething toy can help alleviate the discomfort of teething and stimulate the production of saliva, which can help neutralize bacteria in the mouth.

Tip #3: Massage the Gums

Massaging your baby’s gums with a clean finger can also help soothe teething pain. You can use a soft-bristled baby toothbrush or a clean cloth to massage the gums, but be sure to avoid applying too much pressure, as this can cause further discomfort.

Tip #4: Try Distractions

Sometimes, a little distraction is all your baby needs to forget about teething pain. Playing games, singing songs, and reading books can all provide a welcome distraction from discomfort. You can also take your baby outside for a walk or a change of scenery.

Tip #5: Breastfeed or Bottle Feed

Breastfeeding or bottle feeding can provide comfort and relief for teething babies. The sucking motion can help distract your little one from the pain of teething, and it can also help promote relaxation and sleep.

Tip #6: Maintain Proper Oral Hygiene

Pediatric dentistry in Calgary is all about maintaining proper oral hygiene. Naturally, upholding it can also help soothe a teething baby. You can use a clean, damp cloth to wipe your baby’s gums and mouth after feedings to remove bacteria and prevent infection. As your baby’s teeth come in, you can begin brushing them with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.

Tip #7: Offer Frozen Foods

If your baby has already started eating solid foods, you can offer frozen fruits or vegetables to help soothe teething pain. Chilled bananas, mangoes, and cucumbers are all good options, as are frozen peas and corn. Just be sure to supervise your baby closely to prevent choking.

Tip #8: Use Natural Remedies

Some natural remedies can also help soothe teething pain. Chamomile tea, for example, can be used to make a soothing and natural teething remedy. Simply steep a bag of chamomile tea in hot water, let it cool and then apply it to your baby’s gums with a clean cloth.

Tip #9: Turn to Your Local Pediatric Dentist in Calgary

Pediatric dentistry in Calgary is meant can provide the guidance you need when your baby is teething. A pediatric dentist in Calgary can help monitor your baby’s oral health by providing routine dental checkups and cleanings to ensure your baby’s teeth and gums are healthy and developing properly. Also, they provide treatments for any dental issues that may arise during the teething process, such as tooth decay or gum inflammation. Additionally, a pediatric dentist can answer any questions or concerns you may have about your baby’s teething process and provide support for you and your family during this challenging time.

Visiting a dentist shouldn’t be a scary experience for children, and Happy Trails Children’s Dentistry is here to make sure that children feel safe and excited about their regular checkups. Happy Trails is a professional pediatric dentistry proudly serving south Calgary, and we have a goal of creating an inviting and comfortable space for children to receive the best care available. With our fantastic dentist, Dr. Sam, our young patients in Calgary will always have a positive dental experience!

7 Feb 2023

Common Causes for Sensitive Teeth in Kids

growme

7 Feb 2023 Oral Care TIps pediatric dentist Calgary, sensitive teeth

We all know how important it is to care for our children’s teeth. Not only do healthy teeth make them look good, but they also play a critical role in their overall well-being. That’s why it’s important to be aware of any signs of dental problems in our kids. One of the issues that parents should be mindful of is sensitive teeth. If your child is experiencing sensitivity in their teeth, it’s important to understand the common causes and how to treat them best from a pediatric dentist in Calgary.

Your Local Calgary Pediatric Dentist on Teeth Sensitivity in Kids

Symptoms of Sensitive Teeth in Children

The most common symptom of sensitive teeth in children is a sharp pain or discomfort when they eat or drink something hot or cold. This pain ranges from mild to severe depending on the cause of sensitivity. If your child is experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to have them seen by a pediatric dentist in Calgary.

Common Causes for Sensitive Teeth in Children

There are several different causes for sensitive teeth in children. Many specializing in pediatric dentistry in Calgary can tell you that these are the most common causes, which include the following:

Tooth decay: Tooth decay is one of the most common causes of tooth sensitivity in children. Tooth decay can cause the tooth’s enamel to become weak, leading to pain when exposed to hot or cold temperatures.
Gum disease: Gum disease can also cause sensitivity in children’s teeth. If the gums become inflamed, they can pull away from the teeth, exposing the roots and causing sensitivity.
Brushing too hard: Brushing too hard can wear away the enamel of the teeth, leading to sensitivity. It’s important to remind your children to brush gently and correctly.
Teeth grinding: Teeth grinding can cause the enamel of the teeth to wear away, leading to sensitivity. If your child grinds their teeth, it’s important to have them seen by a pediatric dentist as soon as possible.
Acidic foods & drinks: Eating and drinking acidic foods and beverages can wear away the enamel of the teeth and lead to sensitivity. Limiting these foods and drinks and encouraging your children to drink plenty of water instead is important.

What Preventive Measures a Calgary Pediatric Dentist Recommends

There are some preventive measures that you can take to help ensure that your child’s teeth stay healthy and strong. The first and most important measure is to encourage your child to brush their teeth twice daily, for two minutes. It’s also important to enable them to floss daily and use fluoride toothpaste by ensuring they’re doing so properly. Limiting snacks and sugary drinks can also help keep their teeth healthy. Finally, scheduling regular check-ups with a pediatric dentist is key to catching any dental issues early on.

If your child is experiencing sensitivity in their teeth, it’s important to have them seen by a specialist in pediatric dentistry in Calgary as soon as possible. The dentist can diagnose the cause of the sensitivity and recommend the best treatment. Treating sensitive teeth can include filling cavities, applying fluoride, or even crowns or veneers. From a pediatric dentist’s expertise and guidance, they can help recommend the best treatment for your child’s situation.

20 Jan 2023

Five Picture Books to Prepare Kids for the Dentist

growme

20 Jan 2023 Oral Care TIps oral care education, pediatric dentist Calgary

Visiting a pediatric dentist in Calgary for the first time can make some children feel nervous upon their visit. However, with the right tools, a trip to the dentist can be an exciting and rewarding experience. From what exactly? By reading picture books about dental health! Reading picture books with your child can help make their dental experience positive. Here are five picture books that can help to eliminate the fear of the dentist and help your child to look forward to their next appointment.

Book Recommendations From a Pediatric Dentist in Calgary

The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist

The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist by Stan and Jan Berenstain is a classic picture book for children, originally published in 1983. The book tells how the Berenstain Bears are going to the dentist for the first time. The dentist uses the traditional method of putting the child’s hand in a “big bear trap” to hold the child still, along with candy to make it enjoyable. For the longest time, this book has been great for introducing the idea of going to a dentist to young children.

Just Going to the Dentist

Just Going to the Dentist by Mercer Mayer is a classic picture book originally published in 1973. This dentist visit story is written from the child’s perspective and shows the child’s emotions and feelings during the visit. The child begins to worry about pain, the unknown, the noises and feelings and ultimately decides to run away. The dentist can reassure the child and get them to stay and finish the visit. It helps outline all the tools used and what to expect of certain procedures when using them.

Llama Llama at the Doctor

Llama Llama at the Doctor by Anna Dewdney is a great story for introducing children to the dentist and the positive aspects of the visit. Llama Llama’s family takes him to the dentist for his first check-up and the dentist for his first tooth brushing. The dentist does a full check-up and gives Llama Llama a squeezy-heart toy as a gift. The dentist uses a tiny toothbrush to clean Llama Llama’s teeth. The dentist and the doctor both useful tools to do their jobs, and Llama Llama is rewarded with stickers when they are done.

Dentist Trip

Dentist Trip by Anne Civardi is a simple picture book with few words, making it great for young children who may be apprehensive about the dentist. The book shows a child at home brushing their teeth and then going to the dentist for a cleaning. The dentist shows the child what tools are used. For instance, it also illustrates how a computer is used to look in their mouth. The dentist uses an instrument to scrape off any plaque from the teeth, but it doesn’t hurt. The dentist also uses a special cleaning machine to clean the child’s teeth.

Open Wide: Tooth School Inside

Open Wide: Tooth School Inside by Laurie Keller is a non-fiction picture book that explores what happens inside a dentist’s office. The book begins by describing the office and the dentist’s tools. The reader is then taken inside the mouth. It illustrates where the teeth, gums, and plaque needs to be removed by the dentist.

8 Nov 2022

How to Maintain Your Child’s Oral Health While Sick

growme

8 Nov 2022 Oral Care TIps, Pediatric Dentistry oral health, pediatric dentist Calgary

With cold and flu season here, there is a high chance of your child getting sick. When they fall ill, a parent’s natural inclination is to ensure they get the right nutrients and rest to get better faster. However, parents should stay mindful of their child’s journey to recovery by also keeping up with their oral hygiene. Any pediatric dentist in Calgary can tell you how your physical and oral health is interconnected – that’s why it’s important not to neglect either one. See what you can do to ensure your child gets better and keep a healthy smile here.

What to Keep in Mind From Your Calgary Pediatric Dentist

teeth brushing pediatric dentistry calgary

Maintain Oral Hygiene

This first point is quite straightforward – but it’s worth reiterating. In the context of a sick child, keeping up with brushing and flossing helps prevent harmful bacteria in your child’s mouth. Just as this is good to do so twice daily, it’s also great at assisting your child’s immune system focused on fighting whatever sickness they have. For children exhibiting vomiting symptoms, it can weaken your child’s teeth since it’s being exposed to acids. In this case, ensure they’re rinsing, brushing, and flossing to avoid potential enamel damage.

Beware Sugary Medicines

Despite their effectiveness, some cold and flu medicines aren’t easy to swallow. It can make a young child quite fussy, making administering medication difficult. Naturally, parents look for medicine that’s more palatable. For instance, finding a strawberry-flavoured cough syrup to help soothe a sore throat that a child can take without issue. At first, it might seem like the best solution. However, some syrups and cough drops can contain high sugar. With that said, it means after giving your child these syrups or cough drops, it leaves behind a sugary residue on their teeth. Instead, try to find medicines that are advertised as sugar-free. If not, ensure your child rinses their teeth after every time they’ve taken their medicine.

Staying Hydrated

Just like everyone should maintain oral hygiene, everyone should also ensure they drink enough water daily. With 60% of our body being water, keeping yourself hydrated is imperative to ensure overall wellness. Plus, as a cardinal rule for when anyone gets sick, you’re told to keep drinking fluids – namely, water. So, it should be no surprise that it ensures oral health while helping your child recover. Water eases the pain of a sore throat by soothing it while keeping the sinuses moist. A congested child risks getting dry mouth because they start breathing from their mouth. As a result, it invites bacteria to spread and lead to possible tooth decay. But drinking water helps to combat it.

Clean Dental Appliances

Your child is fighting a virus when they’re sick. In turn, it means they’re highly contagious and can spread easily. Naturally, anything they touch and put in their mouth would have that bacteria. You can prevent reinfection by disinfecting/cleaning or replacing certain dental appliances they use. These include things such as:

Toothbrush
Nightguard
Retainer
Athletic mouth guard

8 Oct 2022

Tips & Tricks for a Healthy Smile this Halloween

growme

8 Oct 2022 Oral Care TIps healthy treats, pediatric dentist Calgary

Halloween is a fun and exciting time for children. For them, trick-or-treating promises plenty of sweets to enjoy once the night ends. Meanwhile, it can feel tough for parents to balance ensuring their child’s smile remains healthy while allowing them to eat the candies they love. Thankfully, allowing your child to enjoy Halloween treats is possible – if done responsibly. Here are a few tips and tricks to scare away any potential cavities from developing this Halloween from a trusted pediatric dentist in Calgary!

The Best Tips & Tricks From a Pediatric Dentist in Calgary

kid brushing teeth pediatric dentist calgary

Prevent Candy Binges

After trick-or-treating, kids quickly want to indulge in their heaps of candy. Yet, any pediatric dentist in Calgary can tell you that eating too many high-sugar treats can lead to nasty cavities. Teaching your child to practice moderation is a good compromise when eating Halloween treats. After all, with so much candy, they shouldn’t eat it all at once – lest they have a stomach ache and wear away their teeth! Ensure your child isn’t constantly snacking on their candies by only allowing them to have a piece during a meal to satisfy their sweet tooth. Another important consideration is portion size. Sometimes while trick-or-treating, they get a big bar of chocolate – which usually has lots of sugar. Instead of them eating the full bar, they eat small pieces from it. This way, they can at least reduce sugar consumption.

Avoiding Certain Candy

Some candies are worse than others. Beyond high sugar content, their textures can make them harder to remove and cause enamel to wear away. The culprit candies that do this are usually sticky, chewy, sour, or long-lasting hard candies. If your child also has braces, it’s highly recommended they steer clear of these candies since it will only make maintaining their oral hygiene even harder.

Here are a few sweets to avoid:

Gummy candies (e.g. gummy bears)
Any caramels
All taffy
Sour candies
Lollipops (only if in the mouth for too long)

Choosing Alternative Treats

Thankfully, chocolate bars and various candies aren’t the only sweet treats to eat. There are plenty of alternative treats that are healthy and nutritious that are just as delicious and sweet!

In our Halloween blog last year, we referenced the following recipes in detail if you wish to try them out this year:

Mummy Pumpkin Bars
Snack-O’Lantern Fruit Cups
Mini Mummy Pizzas
Monster Wraps

Beyond what’s listed, you can find various healthy alternatives online for recipes. These are great ideas for throwing a Halloween party for your children and their friends.

Thorough Oral Hygiene

Technically, everyone should practice oral hygiene twice daily. But, when it comes to Halloween, it’s more important than ever to be proactive with it. After all, allowing sugar to settle on their teeth can lead to tooth decay that becomes cavities. Help motivate your child by getting into the Halloween spirit and making a game of ‘scaring away cavities’ through proper brushing and flossing. It’s a fun Halloween-inspired idea that helps keep your little one’s pearly whites shining! Also, a bonus tip: ensure your child drinks plenty of water! Water helps to wash away sugar still clinging to their teeth and balances the pH level in their mouths.

Visiting a dentist shouldn’t be a scary experience for children, and Happy Trails Children’s Dentistry is here to make sure that children feel safe and excited about their regular checkups. Happy Trails is a professional pediatric dentistry proudly serving south Calgary, and we have a goal of creating an inviting and comfortable space for children to receive the best care available. With our fantastic dentist, Dr. Sam, our young patients in Calgary will always have a positive dental experience!

27 Jun 2022

What Age to Start Flossing?

growme

27 Jun 2022 Oral Care TIps flossing, pediatric dentist Calgary

Beyond brushing, any pediatric dentist in Calgary can tell you that flossing is important in ensuring a child’s oral health. However, some parents can get stumped on when to introduce flossing into their child’s oral hygiene routine.

Learn what age is the best to start flossing, so you are equipped to teach your child how to keep cavities at bay effectively!

Flossing & Your Child’s Oral Health

Teaching your child to floss should be an integral part of their oral hygiene routine.

When your child doesn’t start flossing, it leads to bad breath and potentially to developing cavities. Through flossing, your child can effectively remove any plaque from hard-to-reach places between their teeth and under the gums. These efforts help to prevent tartar build-up that leads to tooth decay.

That’s why it’s important to floss alongside brushing. Brushing daily and properly isn’t enough since it can’t reach certain crevices in your child’s mouth. Only by using them in tandem with one another can your child ensure their teeth are bright and healthy!

The Right Age to Start Flossing

Most might assume you need to wait a while before starting to floss your child’s teeth. Yet, many would be surprised that it starts rather early like it is with brushing in its own way.

It would be best if you began flossing when your child has two teeth that touch. You can expect to be when they’re around the ages of two or three. However, you don’t need to worry about flossing if they’re younger than that.

For the most part, parents should teach and guide their children on how to floss properly up until they’re around eight to ten years old, when they should be able to do so independently.

Helping Your Child to Floss

It’s no secret that adults aren’t the best at flossing. But, it doesn’t mean your child needs to grow up being one of those adults. By teaching them how to floss early and properly, you can seamlessly instill this into your child’s oral routine.

Try to frame flossing and brushing as two things that need each other to help get their smiles nice and bright! For example, a knight (your child) won’t go into battle with a dragon (stubborn plaque) without their sword (toothbrush) and shield (floss), right? Explaining it in a fun way that they can understand will have your kids keener on getting into the habit of flossing by enforcing its importance.

Ensure you lead by example to your child by teaching them how to floss regularly and properly. Show them by having them loop their floss along each tooth’s sides and gently move it up and down. The idea is to clean spots their toothbrush missed, like in between their teeth. However, be mindful of them just pulling the floss back and forth because it can irritate the gum line.

15 Nov 2021

Why Your Child Should Drink Water For Their Oral Health

growme

15 Nov 2021 Oral Care TIps oral health, pediatric dentist Calgary

Drinking water is essential for your child’s overall health. Did you know that it is an important part of their oral health too? If your kids don’t drink enough water, their teeth and gums can pay the price! At Happy Trails Children’s Dentistry, we’re here to help! We’re sharing a few reasons why drinking water supports your child’s oral health.

Keeps Teeth Strong

Fluoride is in more than just your toothpaste. It can also be found in tap water too. Fluoride is also known as a ‘natural cavity fighter’. It helps to keep your tooth enamel strong!

Flushes Away Food

When your kids drink water throughout the day, it helps to wash away food particles that may be stuck in their mouths. A buildup of food particles can help foster bacteria, resulting in bad breath or cavities! Drinking water in between brushing is a great way to help keep your child’s mouth clean throughout the day.

Creates Saliva

The right amount of saliva helps protect and keep your child’s mouth clean. It is your body’s first tool to combat tooth decay. Saliva washes away food particles and helps children swallow. If your child’s mouth is dry, it means their saliva levels are low too. Encouraging them to drink water will help boost their saliva production!

How To Keep Them Hydrated

A hydrated, healthy and happy mouth is the goal. Here are a few tips to try with your kids:

Give them a fun water bottle with their favourite character on it
Have a prize for who finishes their water bottle (with refills) for the day
Drink water before they brush their teeth at night, or after a meal
Send them to school with a bottle of water instead of a juice drink

Book An Appointment with A Calgary Pediatric Dentist

At Happy Trails Children’s Dentistry, we believe that early preventative care is essential to your child’s healthy smile. Dr. Sam and our team work with families to introduce good habits as soon as possible for a cavity-free future! We also provide you with the tools and resources to establish a lifetime of good oral health and beautiful smiles!

Give our children’s dental clinic in Calgary a call today to learn more about how we can help your child’s smile!

7 Jun 2021

How To Protect Your Child’s Tooth Enamel

growme

7 Jun 2021 Oral Care TIps pediatric dentist Calgary

Although tooth enamel is among the hardest surfaces in the body, it still needs extra care and attention. It is a vital part of your tooth as it helps protect your tooth’s inner layer from pressure, harmful bacteria, and acids. Sometimes, the enamel may not be fully formed in children, making their teeth susceptible to fractures and decay.

What Makes The Tooth Enamel Weak In Children?

The most common cause of weak enamel in children is enamel erosion. This is caused by excess consumption of sugary and starchy foods. They leave acid deposits on the tooth surface, which corrode the enamel.

Tips on How to Protect Your Child’s Tooth Enamel

To keep your child’s enamel healthy, follow these guidelines.

Practice Good Dental Hygiene

Regardless of whether your child has one tooth or ten teeth, brush them daily. Any food debris left on the tooth’s surface is fertile ground for bacteria that can cause enamel corrosion.

Our team at Happy Trails Children’s Dentistry recommends brushing twice per day with suitable toothpaste. Use only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste to minimize swallowing. Also, ensure you use a child-friendly toothbrush so that you don’t hurt your baby’s gums.

Avoid Foods And Drinks That Are Rich In Sugar

Sugary foods are not good for your child’s teeth. A children’s dentist will tell you that the sugar acid is corrosive to the enamel and causes plaque and cavities. When buying snacks, ensure you get those with the lowest sugar content. Avoid juice boxes and sodas as they have high sugar content. If your child does indulge in a sugary snack, ensure you give them water to drink to help rinse it off their mouth.

What To Do If Your Child’s Enamel Is Weak

Taking your child to visit Dr. Sam at least twice yearly is recommended since she will be able to catch any tooth concerns early on. Additionally, our team will advise you on how best to brush and floss your child’s teeth to prevent weak enamel. If your child’s enamel is weak, you need to visit a pediatric dentist first for evaluation. After that, a suitable treatment option will be recommended.

Visit Us With Your Little One In Calgary!

Welcome to our Pediatric Dental Clinic in Calgary, where Dr. Sam and our wonderful staff will attend to your little ones. We offer pediatric services such as oral health exams and preventative dentistry that will offer your child the ultimate experience. Our tips on all matters of dentistry, including digital x-rays, will give your child a healthy and bright smile. All you need to do is book an appointment or call 587-576-KIDS (5437).

17 Mar 2021

Teaching Your Child How To Brush Their Teeth

growme

17 Mar 2021 Oral Care TIps brushing teeth, pediatric dentist Calgary

Did you know tooth decay is the most common, yet preventable, childhood chronic disease in Canada and around the world? A proper oral hygiene routine is vital to preventing tooth decay and other serious dental problems. It will also help you avoid costly oral treatments in the future.

Good oral health starts with teaching your child how to brush their teeth, and regularly visiting our Calgary dental office. Dr. Sam and our team here at Happy Trails Children’s Dentistry have put together some tips to help teach your child about brushing their teeth!

When to Start Brushing

Brushing your child’s teeth should begin from the moment their first tooth erupts. With that being said, oral hygiene should be a priority from the moment they are born! It’s important to keep in mind that brushing techniques will vary depending on your child’s age. Please see below:

Infants

You should start an oral hygiene routine for your child as early as possible. We recommend gently wiping your infant’s gums and mouth with clean, wet gauze or a soft washcloth after feedings. This will reduce the build-up of sugar in their mouth, thus making it harder for bacteria to grow.

Toddlers

You’ll need to care for your toddler’s gums and emerging teeth by brushing them regularly. Use a soft toothbrush, and a pea sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Make sure your child spits out all the toothpaste, and rinses their mouth with water.

Children

Many parents don’t worry too much about their child’s baby teeth because they figure that they will just fall out anyways. The truth is that those baby teeth are like place holders, acting as guides for the permanent teeth. Decaying baby teeth can still cause pain/discomfort, difficulty eating and speaking, infections, and low self-esteem. You can avoid all these by simply teaching your child how to clean their teeth and mouth.

How to Brush Teeth Correctly

First you must apply the right amount of toothpaste (rice-sized for kids below three years, and pea-sized for those over three years) onto a soft-bristled toothbrush.

Angle the toothbrush 45 degrees against the gum line to target the areas where plaque accumulates the most. Brush from the base of the tooth (both front and back) to the chewing surface using short strokes, so every tooth is cleaned. Remember to brush the tongue and roof of the mouth as well. This process should last at least 2 minutes and twice daily. If your child’s teeth are touching, we recommend flossing first to release any food particles.

Don’t Forget About Regular Checkups!

Regular visits to a children’s dentist are vital, so the experts can examine your child’s dental health and help to reinforce the oral lessons you’re teaching at home. At Happy Trails Children’s Dentistry in Calgary, we believe that a healthy smile today is a healthy smile tomorrow. Schedule a pediatric dentist appointment with Dr. Sam here to learn about the different dental services we offer! Including fluoride treatment, dental sealant, and preventive care among other cutting edge treatments that will give your child the smile they deserve! Make sure to also follow our Facebook and Instagram pages for more oral health tips and tricks!

15 Feb 2021

Three Things To Do When Your Child Loses A Tooth

growme

15 Feb 2021 Oral Care TIps oral care education, pediatric dentist Calgary

Losing a tooth is something everyone has to go through at some point in their lives. Children typically start losing their baby teeth around the age of 6 years old. Oftentimes, they fall out in the same order they erupted. This can be both an exciting and overwhelming experience for the parent and child. Dr. Sam and our team of pediatric dental professionals have put together three of our top tips to help soothe your child when they lose a tooth.

Do Not Panic

The first thing to remember is to avoid panicking. We understand your concern for your child, but just remember that this is a natural process and does not cause extreme pain to your little one. You should let them know that losing a tooth is normal and even get them excited about a visit from the tooth fairy!

In most cases, you should leave the tooth to fall out on its own. This will help to promote fast healing and reduce pain.

Clean Your Child’s Gum

Once the tooth has fallen out, it’s important to clean the area. We recommended gently wiping the socket and surrounding area with a soft, damp washcloth or gauze. You can also have your little one rinse their mouth with warm salt water. Although this might be slightly uncomfortable, it will help to clean the socket and heal the area faster.

Focus On Consistent Oral Hygiene

Once your child starts to develop their adult teeth, oral hygiene becomes even more important! Take the time to explain to your child that these new, permanent teeth will be in their smile forever! Ensure they brush their teeth at least twice a day for two minutes. Avoid brushing the socket at first, and make sure they are using a soft-bristled toothbrush.

If it takes more than six months for the permanent tooth to appear, you should contact us to check in on the development.

Take Your Child To A Pediatric Dentist in Calgary!

One of the best ways to make sure your child’s smile stays happy and healthy is to have them complete biannual dental appointments! Contact us today to book your child’s next visit and help them maintain good oral health! Make sure to also follow our Facebook and Instagram pages for more oral health tips and tricks!

1 2