Durham Kids Dentistry

If you’ve ever wondered why the roof of your mouth has such an interesting texture, we’re here to share the hard (and soft) truth.

The Roof of Your Mouth

People who floss regularly benefit from healthier teeth and gums, fewer cavities, and fresher breath. It’s easy to make flossing a regular habit and it doesn’t always have to be done at bedtime, just once per day. Floss while watching TV or listening to music, or even in the shower!

Babies have a natural sucking reflex. They often suck on their fingers and thumbs because it makes them feel safe and secure. Some babies will also suck their thumbs to soothe themselves, especially when they are going to sleep.

Thumbsucking can cause changes to a baby’s jaws and skeletal structure before their permanent teeth start to erupt. Most children stop sucking their thumbs between the ages of two and four with minimal impact on their permanent teeth. If children continue sucking their thumb after their permanent teeth begin to erupt, their teeth may become misaligned and they may need braces or orthodontic treatment.

We can help parents encourage and guide their children to stop sucking on their own so they can enjoy a lifetime of healthy smiles.

Lest we forget. Thank you to those who have served (and to your families) for your honour and bravery.

Be sure to wash your hands before you floss!

Happy Halloween to our spook-tacular patients! Remember to brush and floss well after enjoying those goodies you may have filched from your child’s trick-or-treat bag. (We won’t tell.)

Got a toothache? Here are a few things you can try to get some relief from the pain while you wait to see your dentist.

Try rinsing your mouth with warm water and flossing between your teeth to dislodge any food particles that may be causing the discomfort. If the tooth has been injured, try applying a cold compress on your face near the area. You may also get relief with over-the-counter pain medications taken as directed. Do NOT place aspirin directly on the tooth or gum as it will cause a chemical burn and will not help your toothache.

Call us right away at (905) 579-0709 if you develop any of these symptoms: the toothache becomes more severe, there are signs of infection such as inflammation, swelling, and redness in the area, you develop a fever, or you have trouble breathing or swallowing.

A frozen puck or stray elbow to the mouth can end a game fast. A custom sports guard from Durham Kids Dentistry is the best protection against injuries. Call us at (905) 579-0709 to learn more.

Parents should start to floss their child’s teeth when they have two teeth that are touching — usually when they are two or three years old. We can help children and parents learn the best and safest ways to floss teeth. Flossing your child’s teeth helps your child develop good oral health habits from an early age.

Accidents happen. The most important thing to remember when someone has broken a tooth is not to panic.

First, take a look around for the tooth. If it’s an adult tooth, and it’s clean and whole, place it back in the empty socket. If you can’t place it back in the mouth, keep the missing tooth moist by packing it in milk or saliva. If it’s a baby tooth, bring it along to the dental office just in case we need to see it.

Next — call us! Let us know what happened and we’ll get you in as soon as we can. If for some reason you can’t get through to us, then head to the emergency room and call us for a follow-up appointment.

There’s a connection between excessive gum chewing and headaches, according to a recent study on kids and teens that chewed gum between one and six hours a day. Many participants saw improvement with their chronic headaches when stopping their daily habit. Still, we recommend spitting out your gum once the flavour is gone.

Carrots are a great snack for teeth. Their natural crunch helps produce saliva, which can wash away bacteria. Plus, carrots are loaded with vitamin A and keratin to help build enamel and keep gums healthy. So be sure to pack carrots in your lunch bag for a quick, healthy option.

It’s a time to be thankful for what we have, and our entire team at Durham Kids Dentistry is thankful for YOU, our wonderful patients! Wishing all of you a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Storing a toothbrush out in the open — especially near the toilet — exposes it to airborne germs and bacteria. Instead, store your toothbrush standing up inside a cabinet so that the water can drain in between brushings and it’s a little more protected.

You’re able to remove plaque at home by brushing and flossing, but calculus (hardened plaque, sometimes called tartar) is something that can only be removed by a dental professional. It requires scaling above and below your gumline with special instruments, and you’ll leave with smoother, cleaner teeth and healthier gums.

Do you suspect you have tartar (calculus) build-up? It does happen more easily as we age. Call (905) 579-0709 to schedule a hygiene visit with us, and we’ll take care of you.

It’s hard for children to brush and floss their very back teeth, making their molars prone to decay. Dental sealants are a thin protective layer that can reduce their risk of decay by nearly 80% in molars. They’re best applied as soon as those back teeth erupt, and it’s a quick procedure here at the office. Think of them as raincoats for a child’s teeth! ;)

Electric toothbrushes require a slightly different brushing routine. Here’s a quick primer that explains the best way to use them ...

Brushing with an Electric Toothbrush Learn the how to thoroughly clean your teeth with an electric toothbrush. With proper brushing technique, you can reduce your risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

People sometimes think sports guards are only needed for contact sports like lacrosse, hockey, rugby or martial arts, but athletes playing non-contact sports need protection as well. If there’s a risk of getting hit in the mouth or jaw like baseball, basketball or soccer, or a risk of falling like skateboarding, skiing or snowboarding, then a sports guard is a good investment.

Custom sports mouthguards are more durable and last longer than store-bought guards. We take an impression of the mouth and specially make each guard for a better fit. That means the guard is more comfortable - and more likely to be worn! Ask us about custom mouthguards today. Call (905) 579-0709.

Did you know that children should have their first visit to a dentist about six months after their first tooth appears or by age one? Excellent dental health starts early - reach out today!

Labour Day always signals the end of summer vacation for many of our patients, but it’s also the start of a fresh new year. Let’s make it a September to remember!

At Durham Kids Dentistry, we put children first in everything we do. We believe that children with happy, healthy smiles grow up to be adults with happy, healthy smiles. That’s why we treat every child with compassion, understanding and respect. Call us today at (905) 579-0709.

Today is National Tooth Fairy Day! We’re always interested to see how the Tooth Fairy works his or her magic in various households. Sometimes children place their tooth under a glass on their nightstand, while others slip it under their pillow or in a special pocket designed just for that purpose. What do you do in your household?

Somewhere between the ages of 17 and 21, most young adults experience the eruption of their third molars (also known as wisdom teeth).

If wisdom teeth come in properly and there’s room for them in your mouth, they can help you chew. But crowded or partially-erupted wisdom teeth can lead to pain, infections, tooth decay, and cysts, in which case it’s best to have them removed for your own comfort and safety.

If you do wind up keeping your wisdom teeth past your mid to late twenties, we’ll continue to monitor them to make sure they don’t cause problems down the road.

Pregnancy hormones can make gums more sensitive to the bacteria in plaque. We may want to increase cleanings during pregnancy as a preventative measure. Watch the video to find out more.

What is Pregnancy Gingivitis? Pregnant women have special dental needs and may need more frequent cleanings than normal. Find out more.

No two smiles are exactly alike, so we work with our patients to come up with a dental exam and hygiene visit schedule based on their individual needs. Our goal is to see you regularly, but only as often as your personal oral health needs indicate. An appointment takes only 30-60 minutes to complete, and you’ll leave our office with gleaming teeth and that fresh-from-the-dentist feeling.

Maintaining your regular oral health care routine at home is more important than ever. Taking preventative measures can reduce your risk of tooth decay and dental emergencies. So remember to brush twice a day, floss once a day and follow any specific instructions that your hygienist provided at your last visit. Remember to wash your hands before you brush and floss. If you have any questions about your oral health, please call us at (905) 579-0709.

Dental sealants protect children’s baby and adult molars from decay. Sealants are made from a plastic composite material that fills in the grooves on the surface of each molar and keeps food and decay bacteria out. We apply the sealant to the molar and then use a special light to harden it. Once it has hardened, the sealant forms a protective barrier that keeps decay-causing bacteria away.

Call us today to learn more about sealants or to make an appointment! (905) 579-0709

Anxious about going to the dentist? You’re not alone. Many people experience dental anxiety. Durham Kids Dentistry can help. We provide sedation dentistry to help patients relax during their appointment. Call us at (905) 579-0709 to learn more!

Dental sealants offer a thin barrier of protection against cavities. Sealants can be applied to the chewing surface of molars and premolars as soon as the adult teeth come in, and can last for several years.