Pediatric Dentist Coquitlam
Our aim is to make the experience of visiting your dentist at Sunrise Dental
Clinic relaxed and enjoyable for both you and your child.
At Sunrise Dental Clinic we are concerned about children’s dental health. We want children to have a positive first experience of visiting their dentist, which will influence the way they care about their teeth and the way they feel about going to the dentist throughout their life. As long term oral health is determined in childhood, we also want to offer parents all the information they need to ensure that they can work with their children so that they enjoy the best possible oral health into adulthood. We have set ourselves the highest standards so that our young patients receive the latest treatment methods in an exciting, fun and trusting atmosphere.
We promise to take the needs, fears and wishes of our very young patients and their carers seriously. We will offer the best possible dental treatment in a child-friendly atmosphere that aims to make a visit to the dentist an exciting and interesting experience.
At Sunrise Dental Clinic you are assured that a child’s first and subsequent visits to us are positive, fun and not something to be anxious or worried about. A first visit to our Clinic focuses on the child getting to know us. It will include information about risk factors for dental disease, eating habits and general oral healthcare. It may be necessary at this stage to take x-rays. From there we develop an individual treatment plan best suited to the child and family’s needs.
We provide services for children with healthy teeth as well as those who have dental problems. The general trend towards aesthetics and preventive care is important as the best looking teeth are those that are absolutely clean and healthy.
Your child’s first visit to the dentist
It is recommended that children should go to the dentist with their parents as soon as possible. Visit your family dentist at the eruption of the first tooth or no later than 12 months of age to establish a relationship with the dental office. Your subsequent visits will be as recommended by your dentist. This early child / dentist interaction allows the child to get used to the noises, smells and office surroundings and prepare them for future visits. The earlier these visits begin, the more relaxed the children will be.
How should I clean my child’s teeth?
Cleaning your child’s teeth must be part of their daily hygiene routine. You may find it easier to stand or sit behind your child, cradling their chin in your hand so you can reach their top and bottom teeth more easily. When the first teeth start to come through, try using a children’s toothbrush with a small smear of toothpaste. It is important to supervise your child’s brushing until they are at least seven. Once all the teeth have come through, use a small-headed soft toothbrush in small circular movements and try to concentrate on one section at a time. Don’t forget to brush gently behind the teeth and onto the gums. If possible make tooth brushing a routine preferably in the morning, and last thing before your child goes to bed. Remember to encourage your child, as praise will often get results!
What causes children to have toothache?
Toothache is painful and upsetting, especially in children, which is generally caused by tooth decay. This is due to too much sugar or acid in the diet. Teething is another problem which starts at around 6 months and can continue as all the adult teeth start to come through. If your child needs a pain relief, make sure you choose a sugar-free medicine and also remember to check with the doctor or pharmacist that you are being prescribed sugar-free medication at all times. If the pain continues then contact your dentist or call a dentist at Sunrise Dental Clinic, for concerns and questions and request for an appointment.
How to prevent tooth decay in children?
The main cause of tooth decay is not just the amount of sugar or acid in the diet, but how often it is eaten or drunk. The more often your child has sugary or acidic foods or drinks, the more likely they are to have decay. It is therefore important to keep sugary and acidic foods to mealtimes only. If you want to give your child a snack, try to stick to cheese, vegetables and fruit, but not dried fruit.
It is also worth remembering that some processed baby foods contain quite a lot of sugar. Try checking the list of ingredients: the higher up the list sugar is, the more there is in the product. Sometimes, these are shown as fructose, glucose, lactose or sucrose.
Thorough brushing for two minutes, twice a day, particularly last thing at night, will help to prevent tooth decay in children.
