When should I take my child to the dentist?
The Canadian Dental Association recommends the first dental visit to be 6 months after the first tooth erupts, which is usually by one year of age. In addition to looking for and preventing problems, an early visit to the dentist can help educate you about your child's oral health and proper hygiene. So when should the first visit be? If your child doesn't have any risk factors for developing cavities, such as sleeping with a cup or bottle or walking around all day with a cup of juice, and if his teeth seem to be developing normally, then you can probably wait until your child is older and just ask your Pediatrician to check his teeth at each well child visit.
If your child has any problems, such as staining of his teeth, crowding or abnomal tooth development, or if he has any of the above risk factors for developing cavities, then he should see a dentist earlier. You may also want to see a dentist if your child has any persistent habits, such as sucking his thumb or using a pacifier as a toddler or grinding his teeth at night.
And be aware that Kelowna does not add flouride to their water supply. Flouride helps your teeth resist cavities. Dentists can provide your child with a flouride wash to help them maintain good dental health. If however you do not have a dentist you can take advantage of Interior Health’s Lift the Lip Flouride Varnish Program. Details can be found:
http://www.interiorhealth.ca/choose-health.aspx?id=13158
Interior Health’s website does provide some tips for maintaining your baby, toddler or child’s good Dental Health at:
http://www.interiorhealth.ca/choose-health.aspx?id=12840
Following are some dentists that practice in Kelowna and West Kelowna, that are welcoming new patients and that are especially good with families.
DENTAL HEALTH
Your child's first teeth will begin coming in between three and sixteen months (usually around six months). Your child will continue to get new teeth until he has all twenty of his primary teeth when he is three years old, with most children getting about four new teeth every four months. Children begin shedding their first teeth when they are around 6-7 years old, and this process is complete with the loss of the 2nd molars when he is about 11-13 years old.
Cleaning your child’s teeth:
Once your child's teeth begin erupting, you can begin cleaning them by wiping them with a moist washcloth. As your child gets more teeth, you can begin to use a soft child's toothbrush. You should use just a pea-size amount of a fluoride toothpaste or a non-fluoride toothpaste (like Baby OraGel) until your child is able to spit it out (too much fluoride can stain their teeth).
Dr. Jonathan Visscher, DDS and Dr. Debra Matson, DDS
Okanagan Smiles is a family-oriented dental practice for all ages. Using advanced techniques and equipment, the dedicated team offers cosmetic, restorative, and preventative dentistry in a friendly and caring environment.
Dr. Jonathan Visscher, a native of the Okanagan Valley and Dr. Debra Matson, who grew up just south of Kelowna are a married dental couple who after practicing in California and the U.S. territory of Guam decided to return to their roots and make Kelowna their home.
Drs. Visscher and Matson have a passion and it is to provide quality dental care in a relaxed setting for all members of your family. They also believe that educating patients about oral health is important since oral health impacts your entire life! Drs. Visscher and Matson, along with their team at Okanagan Smiles prioritize educating their patients (parents and children) on how to improve their overall lifestyle.
If you are looking for a dentist for your family consider Drs. Visschner and Matson – they would love to help you achieve optimum dental health and improve the overall lifestyle of both you and your family.
Conveniently located on Springfield Road across from the Orchard Park Shopping Centre, Okanagan Smiles offers morning and evening appointments to meet your busy lifestyle.
101-2149 Springfield Road
Kelowna, BC V1Y 7X1
250-763-3338
Return to Baby's Health
This family dental practice in West Kelowna works to provide comprehensive dental care in a convenient and comfortable setting. Their three dentists bring together many years of experience and training to offer a full spectrum of care from basic preventive care to wisdom tooth extractions with IV sedation. They use the most up-to-date technology and quality dental materials.
Dr. Gary Powell has been practicing in West Kelowna since 1998. He has enjoyed seeing toddlers become teenagers while helping with the many changes a child goes through in their dentition. Most of the team have children of their own and understand the special needs of children. They strive to make your child’s first experiences good ones, so that children can look forward to going to the dentist and enjoy good dental health for life! Working on children requires a gentle touch, a sense of humour and quick reflexes. The televisions on the ceiling definitely help too. Dr. Powell and staff welcome their little patients with a kids play room with televisions, video games and toys, a juice/water fridge in case they get thirsty,
kid-friendly staff, and of course age appropriate toothbrushes, toys and prizes after every visit!
For a child’s first visit Dr. Powell and staff like to make it a fun and positive experience. They give them a ride in the chair and show them some of the fun tools we use such as “Mr. Slurpy” and “Mr. Squirty”. They count and examine their teeth and make any recommendations based on their findings as well as answering any questions that you may have.
A dental exam is free under three!
Dr. Powell and staff look forward to seeing you and your children!
Dr. Gary Powell & Associates Dental Care
#360- 2300 Carrington Rd. West Kelowna, BC, V4T 2N6
Ph. 250.768.7786
Located in Acorn Plaza on the corner of Hwy 97 and Gellatly Road
(next to McDonalds)
Following are some dentists that practice in Kelowna and West Kelowna, that are welcoming new patients and that are especially good with families.
ToothZone is an office designed just for KIDS - bright, colourful chairs, video games in their fun-filled waiting room, TV’s on the ceiling and a team that really cares for your kids! ToothZone Kids offers a fun, relaxed environment that puts your kids at ease and helps them to have an awesome, positive experience visiting the dentist!
ToothZone Kids specializes in the care of infants (starting with a preventative exam at age 1), children, adolescents, and patients with special needs!
ToothZone Kids goal is to provide your child the absolute best dental care in a safe, comfortable, and kid-friendly environment and to ensure that your child will have a lifetime of excellent oral health! Their team focuses on prevention and education for families and on “coaching” patients and their parents to achieve good oral hygiene and dental health! All their patient education and treatment is provided in a safe and friendly environment in a positive, loving and fun way!
All of the staff at ToothZone Kids look forward to providing your child with a positive and unique dental experience that is just for kids!
Call them today to make an appointment at 778-484-KIDS or visit them online at www.ToothZoneKids.com
Get in the Zone at ToothZone Kids!
**mention that you heard about ToothZone Kids through KelownaNewParent.com and receive a FREE dental exam!
A Dental Practice that
Fits Your Lifestyle!
