Tips for Teaching Your Kids Dental Hygiene

Our Team — Pickering, ON

We all know how important keeping our teeth clean and healthy is.  Preventative maintenance like brushing and flossing prevents cavities, gum disease, and a whole lot of pain later.  As a result proper care is a critical lesson that needs to be passed on to the next generation.  As a parent that responsibility will fall to you but there are some great methods to help your kids get on board with dental hygiene.

Be a Role Model

Children learn from what we do and they want to be like mom and dad.  If they see you brushing and flossing every day that’s what they’ll want to do too.  Encourage that by brushing with them and making sure they see the care and effort you put in to making your own teeth look great.
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Teach Them

Take the time to show proper technique.  Impart important lessons like using the right amount of tooth paste (a pea-sized dab will do) and brushing gently back and forth and then angling the brush along the gums and chewing surfaces of the teeth.  Show them how to brush the pesky inner sides of the teeth and the fun part – brushing their tongue!  At around age four food can start getting stuck in children’s teeth and you may have to start flossing for them.  By around age eight they’ll be able to floss themselves so make sure they’re aware of proper technique – regardless of the inter-dental instrument your family chooses.

Explain the Importance

As they enter school-age it’s going to be time to teach them why they brush their teeth.  Teach them about gingivitis and gum disease and all the unpleasantness that can result from a lack of proper dental care.  They’ll be learning some of this in school as well and you should reinforce those lessons at home.  If the message isn’t quite getting through take a look at some pictures online of where teeth can end up if they’re not cared for and decide if you want to show your child – it might just frighten them into action.

Teaching your children dental hygiene is critical and you should use all the tools you can to impart to them the wisdom of brushing, flossing, and regular trips to the dentist.  If you’re looking for a new dentist for you and your children Pickering Square Dental provides complete service family dentistry.  Contact us today.

Helpful Resources

Oral Surgeon

For more information, visit the Health Canada Children’s Dental Health.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Contact Pickering Square Dental to book your appointment with Dr. Marvin Lean. Call us at (905) 420-1777 or visit us at 1450 Kingston Rd, Unit #4, Pickering, ON.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I visit the dentist?

The Canadian Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist at least twice a year for regular check-ups and cleanings. Some patients may need more frequent visits depending on their oral health needs. Call Pickering Square Dental at (905) 420-1777 to schedule your next appointment.

Do you accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?

Yes, Pickering Square Dental participates in the Canadian Dental Care Plan. Our team can help you understand your coverage and ensure you receive the dental care you need. Contact us for more details about CDCP eligibility and benefits.

What services does Pickering Square Dental offer?

We offer a full range of dental services including family dentistry, emergency dental care, sedation dentistry, dental implants, laser dentistry, teeth whitening, root canal therapy, dental extractions, periodontal care, and cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Lean and our team serve patients in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and Scarborough.

How to Teach Your Child about Dental Care

Making sure children are prepared with the right knowledge to take them through the rest of their life is the one of the pillars of parenting.  Knowledge of dental care and oral hygiene is an important part of that.  Sure, kids may get a brand new set of teeth pretty early on, but good habits ingrained young carry over into adulthood.  Here are some great ways to make sure your kids know and practice proper care of their teeth and gums.

Be a Good Example

Your most important method of teaching is by providing an example.  If you brush your teeth and floss, your child will understand that’s just a part of life.  Regular trips to the dentist can bolster that too – letting them know it’s just part of the routine – and can also be beneficial in dispelling dental anxiety early.
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Reinforce the Habit

Use positive reinforcement to help your child learn.  Give praise and positive feedback when your child has brushed properly for two minutes… and more so, when they’ve brushed and flossed.  Children are very responsive to this… we all want to please our parents!

Explain to Them Why it’s Important

Kids are often smarter than we expect them to be.  If you take the time to describe what can happen if they don’t take proper care they’re likely to listen.  Google some pictures of bad teeth if you think it might help – images like that can be unpleasant to look at for kids but might be instructive if compliance is becoming an issue.  How you explain it is, as always, your call as a parent.

With just a couple of these tips, teaching your child about proper oral hygiene and dental care will be easy.  Oh who are we kidding?  Raising kids is tough – but teaching them to take care of themselves is important – and this is information you know they should have, so if these tips help even a little, then they were worth reading.  If you or your child need any dental care, or are looking for a great group of family dentists, contact us here at Pickering Square Dental, and we’ll be happy to help you out.

Helpful Resources

man talking to dentist

For more information, visit the Health Canada Children’s Dental Health.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Contact Pickering Square Dental to book your appointment with Dr. Marvin Lean. Call us at (905) 420-1777 or visit us at 1450 Kingston Rd, Unit #4, Pickering, ON.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I visit the dentist?

The Canadian Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist at least twice a year for regular check-ups and cleanings. Some patients may need more frequent visits depending on their oral health needs. Call Pickering Square Dental at (905) 420-1777 to schedule your next appointment.

Do you accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?

Yes, Pickering Square Dental participates in the Canadian Dental Care Plan. Our team can help you understand your coverage and ensure you receive the dental care you need. Contact us for more details about CDCP eligibility and benefits.

What services does Pickering Square Dental offer?

We offer a full range of dental services including family dentistry, emergency dental care, sedation dentistry, dental implants, laser dentistry, teeth whitening, root canal therapy, dental extractions, periodontal care, and cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Lean and our team serve patients in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and Scarborough.

Helping your Children Overcome Any Fear of the Dentist

Whether it’s the sometimes negative portrayal of dentistry in pop culture, or the apprehension that comes with a medical examination of any type, or an understandable nervousness at the unusual sensations unique to a trip to the dentist, dental anxiety is not completely an uncommon issue in children.  It’s very important for fear of the dentist to be minimized at an early age, as ongoing anxiety can lead to an avoidance of the dentist, and an endangerment of long-term dental health.   Here are some tips to help your child overcome their anxieties of the dentist and to set the stage while they’re young!

Keep them Informed

Let your child know the feelings and sounds that are common to the dental experience and let that knowledge empower them.  Letting them know how the cleaning paste tastes can avoid any fears resulting from the unknowns and the first’s of a checkup or cleaning.

Help them Relax
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If your child looks visibly nervous or anxious in the waiting room, teach them some simple breathing exercises to help them relax.   A simple deep inhalation and slow exhalation can soothe a child on the verge of being overcome with emotion.

Engage in Positive Reinforcement

Some families let their children know that after their first dental visit that they’ll be rewarded for ‘being well behaved’ with something such as a token item at the dollar store or the promise of some (sugar free) treats can help them endure any anxieties they may be feeling and the experience of this appointment.

Talk to your Dentist

Give your dentist or hygienist a heads up about your child’s feelings.  They might be able to help by engaging in some interesting conversation, helping them remember a pleasant experience, or giving them a distracting task like mental arithmetic that could help push away the anxiety.

Get Involved

If your child seems like they’re going to a have a particularly challenging time in the dentist’s chair, talk to the staff in advance of your child’s visit.   We highly encourage and recommend having your children attend your regular dental hygiene visits… This way, your child will be able to firsthand experience our Dental Team at work as well as the comfortable and friendly environment here at Pickering Square Dental.  This will result in providing your child the opportunity to model your behaviour and be comforted with a seamless, pleasant and comfortable experience when it comes time for their first visits!  

Using these tips will definitely help alleviate any potential dental anxiety.  The best way to ensure your child is in good hands is to work with a full-service family dentistry like Pickering Square Dental.  That way, you’ll know that the staff is experienced in helping children overcome any potential fear of the dentist.  If you or your child requires any dental assistance, contact our team, and we’ll get everyone in the family in good dental health.

Helpful Resources

patient at the dentist

For more information, visit the Health Canada Children’s Dental Health.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Contact Pickering Square Dental to book your appointment with Dr. Marvin Lean. Call us at (905) 420-1777 or visit us at 1450 Kingston Rd, Unit #4, Pickering, ON.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I visit the dentist?

The Canadian Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist at least twice a year for regular check-ups and cleanings. Some patients may need more frequent visits depending on their oral health needs. Call Pickering Square Dental at (905) 420-1777 to schedule your next appointment.

Do you accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?

Yes, Pickering Square Dental participates in the Canadian Dental Care Plan. Our team can help you understand your coverage and ensure you receive the dental care you need. Contact us for more details about CDCP eligibility and benefits.

What services does Pickering Square Dental offer?

We offer a full range of dental services including family dentistry, emergency dental care, sedation dentistry, dental implants, laser dentistry, teeth whitening, root canal therapy, dental extractions, periodontal care, and cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Lean and our team serve patients in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and Scarborough.

Probiotic Ice Cream Could Improve Your Child’s Oral Health

As a parent, it’s important you review the latest marketplace data and take in the latest research on your child’s oral health. The industry is continually evolving and discovering new products that can offer a beneficial impact for your child and their long-term dental care needs. Within this post, we’ll examine one of the latest products to come under the research microscope – probiotic ice cream – and the benefits it can have for your child’s oral health.

Probiotic Ice Cream Can Reduce Number of Streptococcus Mutans
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Streptococcus mutans are gram-positive bacteria that live in your mouth and work to metabolize different kinds of carbohydrates, creating an acidic environment in the mouth, which can then breakdown tooth enamel and begin the tooth decaying process. Over time, tooth decay then leads to cavities. This highlights the relationship between streptococcus mutans and cavities. The latest studies in India show that probiotic ice cream can work to significantly reduce the number of streptococcus mutans in children’s mouths.

While these studies are only at the preliminary stages and effects of the probiotic ice cream have only been proven over the short-term, this has prompted further exciting research into the benefits of probiotic products on the oral health of children around the globe. With the short-term benefits of probiotic ice cream now highlighted in proven studies, many are now reviewing how probiotic ice cream impact oral health in other areas, including reducing gingivitis and periodontitis. These are two of the leading causes of oral health concerns in children and researching their cause will help researchers to form the latest treatments to help combat their patients’ symptoms.

Speak with Your Local Dentist to Research Your Options

As ever, it’s important to only trust the advice of your local dental health professional when it comes to your child’s health. While research is on-going on the benefits of probiotic ice cream, contact your local dental office directly to learn more. Our specialists are available today to help answer your questions and book a consultation for you and your child. Call today to learn more!

Helpful Resources

dental bonding

For more information, visit the Health Canada Children’s Dental Health.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Contact Pickering Square Dental to book your appointment with Dr. Marvin Lean. Call us at (905) 420-1777 or visit us at 1450 Kingston Rd, Unit #4, Pickering, ON.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I visit the dentist?

The Canadian Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist at least twice a year for regular check-ups and cleanings. Some patients may need more frequent visits depending on their oral health needs. Call Pickering Square Dental at (905) 420-1777 to schedule your next appointment.

Do you accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?

Yes, Pickering Square Dental participates in the Canadian Dental Care Plan. Our team can help you understand your coverage and ensure you receive the dental care you need. Contact us for more details about CDCP eligibility and benefits.

What services does Pickering Square Dental offer?

We offer a full range of dental services including family dentistry, emergency dental care, sedation dentistry, dental implants, laser dentistry, teeth whitening, root canal therapy, dental extractions, periodontal care, and cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Lean and our team serve patients in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and Scarborough.

Did You Know That Plaque Could Help Prevent Disease?

Dentist Pickering

Long thought of as simply a mass of bacteria that grows on our teeth over time, plaque apparently could offer great insight into our oral health. The latest studies completed by the Oral Microbiome and Metagenomics Research Lab (OMMR) at the Faculty of Dentistry have shown that plaque could be a more complex material that first thought. Within this post, we’ll go into greater detail on the new data and what it could mean for future dental treatments.

Greater Consistency than Saliva Sampling

One of the major benefits discovered through the latest research was that plaque could provide researchers with a greater degree of sample consistency than current saliva sampling techniques. The problem with saliva samples is that the bacteria within saliva can change throughout the day, preventing professionals from achieving a clear picture on the person’s oral health. The bacterial content from plaque samples, however, remains quite stable over time. This provides health care teams with a greater foundation to understanding a patient’s health.
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Non-Invasive

Plaque samples could also offer a non-invasive method of locating stable bacteria samples. Many research teams currently use bacteria from the intestines and the stomach to understand the processes taking place in a patient’s system. But these procedures often require surgery and are considered invasive. Plaque sampling can be completed simply and requires no invasive methods.

Comparison with Biomarkers

The researchers at the OMMR lab found that by using the 16S rRNA gene, which is found in all bacteria on the planet, they could then identify other bacteria present in a plaque sample. Through this process, the research team could distinguish biomarkers that correlate with certain health conditions. This could allow medical teams to build a proactive treatment regimen that is customized to the patient’s unique health conditions. Because this analysis can be completed in just hours, it’s an exciting development in the area of medical diagnosis and could prevent millions from being misdiagnosed in future.

By understanding the bacteria in our mouths and by learning more about what plaque is telling us about the individual patient, we, as care professionals, can improve treatment results and help patients maximize their health over the long-term. It’s exciting news for all hardworking healthcare professionals. To discuss this latest research with an expert, please contact our office team directly today! 

Helpful Resources

Tooth Extraction

For more information, visit the Health Canada Children’s Dental Health.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Contact Pickering Square Dental to book your appointment with Dr. Marvin Lean. Call us at (905) 420-1777 or visit us at 1450 Kingston Rd, Unit #4, Pickering, ON.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I visit the dentist?

The Canadian Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist at least twice a year for regular check-ups and cleanings. Some patients may need more frequent visits depending on their oral health needs. Call Pickering Square Dental at (905) 420-1777 to schedule your next appointment.

Do you accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?

Yes, Pickering Square Dental participates in the Canadian Dental Care Plan. Our team can help you understand your coverage and ensure you receive the dental care you need. Contact us for more details about CDCP eligibility and benefits.

What services does Pickering Square Dental offer?

We offer a full range of dental services including family dentistry, emergency dental care, sedation dentistry, dental implants, laser dentistry, teeth whitening, root canal therapy, dental extractions, periodontal care, and cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Lean and our team serve patients in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and Scarborough.

Oral Health Month: The Ideal Time to Teach Your Child about Dental Care

It’s Dental Health Month in Canada. With the campaign being highlighted across media and in stores across the country, it’s the ideal time for adults to explain to their children how to effectively care for their teeth.  Within this blog, we’ll provide some helpful tips on talking to your children about effective oral health care.

Start By Setting a Good Example

Parents can begin the oral care teaching process by brushing their teeth in front of their children from a young age. By the time the child is able to speak, they should be watching parents brush their teeth and learning the importance of the brushing process.  As the child develops their language skills, parents can then explain to them the importance of brushing, removing plaque and, protecting against gum disease.

Watch Carefully
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By guiding children when they first start brushing, parents can ensure children develop healthy teeth cleaning habits as they grow older. It’s important for parents to stay with their young child while they brush their teeth and to ensure that the child brushes their teeth for at least two minutes twice a day to remove all the bacteria built-up during the day and nighttime.

Make the Process Fun

Try to remove any negative thoughts concerning the cleaning process early on in the child’s life. Parents can help their children enjoy their teeth cleaning process by bringing in characters with stuffed animals to guide the process. Ensure the child is comfortable and allow them to take an active role in the process if they are able to control their toothbrush. This will help them develop the autonomy to protect their own oral health in future years.

Introduce the Dentist at an Early Age

The dentist will be a critical element of the child’s oral care process from an early age. It’s recommended that, from age two, children visit their dentist annually to ensure their teeth are in optimal condition. Try bringing your children to your appointments when they’re very young so that the office and treatments are comfortable and enjoyable!

By guiding children carefully through the oral care process, parents can protect them for years to come! Now is the ideal time to teach children how to protect their teeth! Speak with one of our Team directly to learn more on the teaching process. 

Helpful Resources

Dental Crowns

For more information, visit the Health Canada Children’s Dental Health.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Contact Pickering Square Dental to book your appointment with Dr. Marvin Lean. Call us at (905) 420-1777 or visit us at 1450 Kingston Rd, Unit #4, Pickering, ON.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I visit the dentist?

The Canadian Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist at least twice a year for regular check-ups and cleanings. Some patients may need more frequent visits depending on their oral health needs. Call Pickering Square Dental at (905) 420-1777 to schedule your next appointment.

Do you accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?

Yes, Pickering Square Dental participates in the Canadian Dental Care Plan. Our team can help you understand your coverage and ensure you receive the dental care you need. Contact us for more details about CDCP eligibility and benefits.

What services does Pickering Square Dental offer?

We offer a full range of dental services including family dentistry, emergency dental care, sedation dentistry, dental implants, laser dentistry, teeth whitening, root canal therapy, dental extractions, periodontal care, and cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Lean and our team serve patients in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and Scarborough.

5 Strategies for Making Teeth Cleaning a Fun, Interactive Experience for Children

Helping your child to enjoy the teeth cleaning experience will help them to develop the oral care habits that will protect their teeth and gums over many years. But some parents find it difficult to engage their children within the teeth cleaning process. And so within this blog, we’ll highlight 5 proven strategies for making teeth cleaning a fun and interactive experience for children.

1. Create Stories

Children thrive when their imagination is able to take control of their experiences. And so it’s important that parents use the power of the child’s imagination to ensure they brush their teeth. Parents could tell their children a story on the importance of brushing teeth. It could be a story about the sugar bugs that can make holes in their teeth or a story about a princess with a bright white smile. 

2. Use Show and Tell
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Every child loves to learn. Parents can inspire their children by using a dissolving agent to show them where the plaque is on their teeth. This process will help the child to see the difference that brushing their teeth can make to the way their teeth look.

3. Bring a Favourite Stuffed Animal

It’s important to bring the child’s toys into the bathroom when teaching teeth cleaning to children. This will help them both to remember to clean and to become comfortable with the process with the stuffed animal beside them. Adults might pretend to brush the stuffed animal’s teeth to show the child there’s nothing to be afraid of during cleaning.

4. Compliment Children on their Cleaning

Encouragement is crucial in any sort of teaching process for young children. And so parents will find their children more responsive if they give them compliments for the job they’ve done. It’s important to show the child they are doing well. 

5. Use the Alphabet Song

When trying to get a child to brush their teeth for the full recommended two minutes, try to get them to hum the alphabet song as they brush. This helps focus the child on the task of singing while they continue to brush. It’s a proven learning technique used by many organizations. 

By creating an effective and enjoyable oral care experience for their children, parents can instill a sense of confidence and commitment. To learn more on the optimal strategies for success, speak with one of our experts directly. 

Helpful Resources

Family Dentists

For more information, visit the Health Canada Children’s Dental Health.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Contact Pickering Square Dental to book your appointment with Dr. Marvin Lean. Call us at (905) 420-1777 or visit us at 1450 Kingston Rd, Unit #4, Pickering, ON.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I visit the dentist?

The Canadian Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist at least twice a year for regular check-ups and cleanings. Some patients may need more frequent visits depending on their oral health needs. Call Pickering Square Dental at (905) 420-1777 to schedule your next appointment.

Do you accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?

Yes, Pickering Square Dental participates in the Canadian Dental Care Plan. Our team can help you understand your coverage and ensure you receive the dental care you need. Contact us for more details about CDCP eligibility and benefits.

What services does Pickering Square Dental offer?

We offer a full range of dental services including family dentistry, emergency dental care, sedation dentistry, dental implants, laser dentistry, teeth whitening, root canal therapy, dental extractions, periodontal care, and cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Lean and our team serve patients in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and Scarborough.