Kids Dentistry FAQs

With little ones, teenagers, and pre-teens, each age group requires a different approach to handle behavior, guide their growth and development, and prevent dental problems down the line.

That's where pediatric dentists like Dr. Salles and Dr. Vodrey come in. They've undergone an extra two to three years of specialized training after dental school and are experts in taking care of children's oral health from infancy through their teenage years.

With their advanced education, they can provide the most up-to-date and thorough treatment for a wide range of pediatric dental issues.

According to the Canadian Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the Canadian Dental Association, it's recommended to bring your child for their first dental visit about six months after their first tooth erupts, or before their first birthday.

You might think it's early, but finding your child's "dental home" at an early age sets the foundation for a lifetime of good oral health!

During this visit, we'll not only examine your baby's mouth and teeth but also make sure parents like you are equipped with the knowledge and tools to prevent future dental problems.

The Canadian Dental Association, the Canadian Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and Dr. Salles and Dr. Vodrey all recommend visiting a dentist twice a year for a checkup and professional cleaning.

These regular visits, which should be a part of your child's dental routine, help maintain their oral health and allow us to catch any potential issues early on.

At Topsmiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, the exact procedure during your child’s first visit depends on their age, personality, and specific needs.

The goals for this first appointment can range from simply getting familiar with the environment and the friendly staff to getting a comprehensive examination, thorough cleaning, and even a topical fluoride treatment.

Dr. Salles or Dr. Vodrey will also discuss preventive measures. We believe in minimizing the number of X-rays taken, so they're only done if necessary for a particular dental situation.

Maintaining the health of primary teeth, also known as baby teeth, is crucial. Neglected cavities can lead to pain, infection, and even problems that affect the development of permanent teeth.

Baby teeth also serve essential functions like proper chewing, providing space for permanent teeth to grow in, and allowing normal development of jaw bones and muscles. They typically fall out between the ages of five and twelve.

At Topsmiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we prioritize minimizing radiation exposure for every child. Generally, children under the age of five or six don't require X-rays unless there are specific concerns.

However, as permanent teeth start coming in, X-rays become necessary to ensure proper development. Additionally, when addressing orthodontic issues, we assess jaw and tooth structures.

With modern safeguards and digital radiography, the amount of radiation received during a dental X-ray is extremely small and practically non-existent. In fact, undetected and untreated dental problems pose a greater risk than X-rays. We always use lead body aprons and shields to protect your child during the process, focusing the X-ray beam on the area of interest.

Sealants are a protective composite material applied by Dr. Salles or Dr. Vodrey to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. They act as barriers, shielding those vulnerable areas from food, plaque, and acid, which helps prevent cavities.

While sealants don't cover cavities between the teeth, they are highly recommended for most permanent teeth, as long as there isn't any existing decay.

In the case of a cavity, if your child's tooth is free of decay, a tooth-colored filling will be placed after removing the cavity. This helps restore the functionality of your child's tooth.

For primary teeth, if a cavity is too large for a filling, a crown may be recommended, or the tooth may need to be extracted. If the cavity has affected the nerve of the tooth, the decay and nerve will be removed (pulpotomy), followed by a filling or crown placement.

For front teeth, we use white restorations for a natural appearance.

The first step is to clean around the sore tooth thoroughly. Then, rinse the mouth with warm salt water to dislodge any trapped food particles.

Please do not apply aspirin directly on the aching tooth or gum under any circumstances. If your child also experiences facial swelling, you can apply a cold compress to reduce it. For temporary pain relief, you can give your child acetaminophen as recommended.

Contact our St. Anne’s or Portage Avenue office in Winnipeg as soon as possible, and we'll determine if your child needs to come in for a visit.

If your child experiences a fractured tooth, start by rinsing the injured area with warm water to remove any debris. Apply cold compresses on the face near the injury site. You can also apply a small amount of Vaseline to reduce sensitivity.

Save any broken tooth fragments in milk and get in touch with our office immediately if the break seems severe.

First, try to stay calm. This can be a distressing situation for both you and your child.

Check if your child has lost consciousness or has memory loss due to the injury. If so, head to the emergency room immediately for a head trauma evaluation.

If the knocked-out tooth is a baby tooth, please do not attempt to re-implant it. Contact our Portage Avenue or St. Anne’s Road office right away for further instructions.

In the case of a permanent tooth, handle it by the crown (the part visible in the mouth) while you avoid touching the root. If the tooth appears dirty, rinse it gently with water, milk, or saliva. Then, place the tooth back into the socket and contact our office immediately.

The best chance of saving the tooth is if it’s re-implanted within 30 minutes of the injury, so time is critical. Your child will need to be seen shortly after for the tooth to be splinted.

After a dental visit, children might accidentally bite their lips or chew their cheeks due to the unfamiliar feeling of numbness.

Apply ice to any bruised areas. For bleeding, use gentle pressure with sterile gauze or a clean cloth. If bleeding persists or doesn't stop after 15 minutes, please give our office a call.

It's important for your child to wear a mouthguard during activities that carry a risk of falls or head contact with other players or equipment.

While we typically associate sports like football and hockey with dental injuries, it's interesting to note that nearly half of the sports-related mouth injuries occur in basketball and baseball.

Dr. Salles or Dr. Vodrey will recommend the most suitable mouthguard for your child, taking into account their dental needs and lifestyle.