Is Your Child’s Nail-biting Affecting Her Teeth?

Nail biting child on white background

Did you know that around 30% of kids between the ages of seven and 10 bite their nails? Yes, it’s true! Your child is not the only one who has this annoying and harmful habit. But whether your little one is doing this consciously or subconsciously, you should address it immediately because of the oral health and overall health consequences that you might not know about.

Here are some little-known risks that are associated with nail-biting:

Exposure to Disease-Causing Bacteria

You might not know it but your nails are a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, including pathogenic ones like E. coli and Salmonella. When your little one bites his or her nails, those bacteria are transferred into your child’s mouth and they eventually spread to the rest of the body, leading to infections.

Susceptibility to Paronychia

Paronychia is a skin infection that occurs around the nails. When children chew their nails, bacteria and yeast, as well as other microorganisms, can find their way in through abrasions or tears. This may lead to redness, swelling, and even pus around the nail. This is a painful condition that may even require surgical draining.

Dental Problems

Nail biting can also affect dental occlusion or how the upper and lower teeth come together when the mouth is closed. Your child’s teeth may shift out of their proper position, get misshapen, and even wear down prematurely.

Nail-biting often starts in childhood and pea in adolescence. It usually declines with age. But that does not mean you just have to wait for your child to grow out of it.  Here are some things that you can try to help your child quit biting his or her nails:

  • Keep your child’s nails trimmed short
  • If your child will let you, make him or her wear gloves or mittens at home
  • If your child bites her nails because of boredom, you can engage her in activities that will keep her hands busy like knitting, colouring, painting, and more

It is important that as soon as your child is old enough to understand that you tell her the risks that go with nail-biting. More often than not, kids stop when they get an understanding that nail-biting is not as harmless a habit as they though it to be.

Helpful Resources

Dental Anxiety

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.

Make Your Child’s First Dental Visit a Success

Little girl at the dentist

As your kids get older, their biannual dental checkups and cleanings become more important, not only for their oral health but their overall well-being as well.

 

But as a parent, you probably already know how the very first visit can be a little scary both for you and your little one. If you have a son or daughter who is soon to make that initial visit, then you should read on.

 

Here are some useful tips to make sure that your child’s first dental visit is a success:

  • Encourage your child by giving him or her positive words, explaining that the dentist is a friend and the dental office is a nice and happy place. More importantly, reassure that there is absolutely nothing to be worried about or scared off. After all, the dentist will only make those little teeth whiter and prettier!

 

  • Be creative with it! Search for children shows and find books that tell fun dental stories. There are a lot of materials available online. You can also try playing pretend with your child. If it helps, buy some safe toy dentist tools at the nearest toy store. Take turns in being the patient and the dentist. This will give your child the idea that a dental procedure is fun and actually stress-free.

 

  • Take your child grocery shopping where you can encourage him or her to choose his very own dental supplies. Let your little one pick out his or her own toothpaste, toothbrush, and dental floss. This will tell your child that you are allowing him or her to make the decisions about caring for those pearly whites.

 

  • As early as possible, teach your child the importance of keeping his or her teeth and gums healthy. Let your toddler know that brushing teeth after every meal and visiting the dentist means no cavities!

 

  • Choose a dental facility that is child-friendly. You don’t know how bad it can affect your child’s attitude towards going to the dentist if the hygienist or even the receptionist is somewhat rude or even just really formal. You want to make sure that you go to a dental office that welcomes children and whose staffs know how to make kids’ dental visits fun and hassle-free.

 

Is your child big enough for that first dental visit? Start preparing him or her at home and when everything is ready, come and visit us at Pickering Square Dental! We’ll make sure your little one’s initial visit to the dentist is a memorable one… in a really good way!

 


 

Helpful Resources

Sedation Dentistry

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 Prepare Your Child for Dental Visits

Little girl holding an artificial model of human jaw with dental braces in orthodontic office, smiling. Pediatric dentistry, aesthetic dentistry, early education and prevention concept.

Don’t you just love it when your child smiles? For most parents, their child’s smile is one of the best view in the world. That’s why parents also understand how important it is to keep that great smile healthy, and that can only be achieved by regularly visiting the dentist.

Unfortunately, most kids have apprehensions about going to the dentist’s office. That of course, is a mild interpretation of those tantrums a child throws complete with wailing, kicking, and sometimes even locking oneself in the room – at the mere mention of seeing the dentist.

There could be a lot of factors contributing to this anxiety, including fear of the unknown, or worse, fear of what an older sibling or friend had shared with him or her before. Whatever the reason for this anxiety is, it will be helpful if as parents, we do our part to prepare them for that very important visit. Here are some tips:

Start really early. Do not wait until his or her preschool years before visiting the dentist for the first time. By that time, your child will most probably have a made-up idea of how scary dentists are. How early should you go? As soon as the first set of teeth start to pop up.

Our dentists handle little patients, too. Not that there are dentists who hate kids. It’s just that it would help a lot if the dentist can make your child feel at ease during an appointment. It makes a lot of difference if a dentist is friendly with your kid and exerts effort to make the visit truly pleasant.

Set expectations honestly. Not knowing what to expect plays a big part to your child getting all stressed out about a visit to the dentist. You can calm their nerves by telling them about the procedure they’re getting, and perhaps some of your own experiences when you had the same procedure. (Unless you had a traumatic one, of course)

Give everything a positive spin. Instead of telling your child that a tooth would be extracted, why not say, the dentist has to make room for his new tooth to grow? You can make things sound easy. Assure your kids that they can do it. Let them know that you’ll be there every step of the way. You can even offer an incentive sometimes!

It is important for your child to develop good oral habits so they can keep that happy smile healthier, longer. We, at Pickering Square Dental can help you prepare your child for a visit that is going to be quite enjoyable, too!

Helpful Resources

Gum Problems

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.

Baby’s Healthy Mouth: First Steps to Take

Parents are the first teachers kids get to know and trust to teach them everything they need to learn. They play a big role in maintaining their children’s well-being, including their oral health.

 

According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, tooth decay is accountable for about one-third of all day surgeries preschoolers have each year. That is the reason why we encourage parents to introduce a good oral habit to their kids as early as their infancy.

 

Ideally, parents should take their babies to the dentist for the first time six months after their first teeth erupted. Your dentist will then examine the overall health of your baby’s mouth.

 

You may be surprised to know that a child can develop tooth decay or cavities soon after their first teeth appear. This is often called baby bottle tooth decay, caused by long-term exposure to sugary liquids like milk formula and fruit juice, among others.

 

Aside from tooth decay, there are other dental problems to watch out for like irritations when your baby is teething, gum diseases, and extended thumb or pacifier sucking. To make sure your child doesn’t have any of these, you should visit a dentist as soon as possible.

 

Here are some healthy practices you can do at home to introduce good oral habits to your baby:

 

  • Wipe your baby’s gums with a clean but damp cloth twice daily. Ask your dentist when you may be able to rub a little toothpaste on those gums so your child would become accustomed to the taste of toothpaste.
  • When your baby’s first teeth erupt, you can start brushing those with a tiny and really soft-bristled toothbrush.
  • Assist your kids (preschoolers) as he or she brushes teeth at night, as thorough brushing at night is necessary to protect your teeth as you sleep. You may not be aware, but due to lower salivary flow while you are sleeping, your teeth are more susceptible to plaque and cavities.
  • Make brushing time a bonding time! It’s the best way to show your children how they should brush their teeth. It will instill the importance of brushing and overall oral hygiene, too. Once your children reach the age of five, you can probably let them brush their own teeth but still with supervision.

 

It is important that your children develop good habits for their oral health as early as possible. Your children should be at ease at the dentist’s office too, so it would be best for you to take your little ones to Pickering Square Dental to be acquainted not only with the friendly dentist and staff, but also with the facilities and equipment used. This is important if you want your children to be comfortable and confident when it’s time to visit the dentist!

 

 

 


 

Helpful Resources

sedation dentistry

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 Prepare Your Child for Dental Visits

Award Icon2 1 icon

Don’t you just love it when your child smiles? For most parents, their child’s smile is one of the best view in the world. That’s why parents also understand how important it is to keep that great smile healthy, and that can only be achieved by regularly visiting the dentist.

 

Unfortunately, most kids have apprehensions about going to the dentist’s office. That of course, is a mild interpretation of those tantrums a child throws complete with wailing, kicking, and sometimes even locking oneself in the room – at the mere mention of seeing the dentist.

 

There could be a lot of factors contributing to this anxiety, including fear of the unknown, or worse, fear of what an older sibling or friend had shared with him or her before. Whatever the reason for this anxiety is, it will be helpful if as parents, we do our part to prepare them for that very important visit. Here are some tips:

 

Start really early. Do not wait until his or her preschool years before visiting the dentist for the first time. By that time, your child will most probably have a made-up idea of how scary dentists are. How early should you go? As soon as the first set of teeth start to pop up.

 

Our Dentists handle little patients, too. Not that there are dentists who hate kids. It’s just that it would help a lot if the dentist can make your child feel at ease during an appointment. It makes a lot of difference if a dentist is friendly with your kid and exerts effort to make the visit truly pleasant.

 

Set expectations honestly. Not knowing what to expect plays a big part to your child getting all stressed out about a visit to the dentist. You can calm their nerves by telling them about the procedure they’re getting, and perhaps some of your own experiences when you had the same procedure. (Unless you had a traumatic one, of course)

 

Give everything a positive spin. Instead of telling your child that a tooth would be extracted, why not say, the dentist has to make room for his new tooth to grow? You can make things sound easy. Assure your kids that they can do it. Let them know that you’ll be there every step of the way. You can even offer an incentive sometimes!

 

It is important for your child to develop good oral habits so they can keep that happy smile healthier, longer. We, at Pickering Square Dental can help you prepare your child for a visit that is going to be quite enjoyable, too!

 

Helpful Resources

sedation dentistry

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.

What To Do When Your Child Has a Dental Emergency

Children, especially the younger ones, are prone to accidents. Since their reflexes are not as quick as teenagers’ or adults’, they tend to damage their teeth when they fall face-flat on the ground. As parents or guardians, we don’t want to see them in pain.  However, dental emergencies are unavoidable at this point in their lives, so we should be ready should such instances arise.

 

Knocked-Out Tooth (Dental Avulsion)

If your child’s tooth had been knocked-out of his or her mouth completely, it is best to contact Pickering Square Dental immediately. Time is an important factor in saving a tooth. Dentists, in general, do not attempt to re-implant primary (baby) teeth because the procedure itself might cause damage to the tooth bud. While you are not with Dr. Marvin Lean and his team, it is best to recover the tooth. Be careful not to touch the root, just handle the crown carefully. Gently rinse off the tooth with water but do not scrub the tooth. Keep the tooth wet ( a glass of milk is ideal) during transportation as moisture is important for the tooth to be re-implanted successfully.

 

Toothache

This is common in children of all ages and it rarely occurs without cause. If pain persists, give us a call. Some common causes of toothache are tooth decay, tooth trauma, tooth fractures, and wisdom teeth eruption (for adolescents). You can help your child relieve the pain by cleansing the area using warm water. It is best to hold off medication if you haven’t seen your dentist. Apply cold compress to the affected area in order to reduce the swelling.

 

Dental Intrusion

When a child gets into an accident and causes dental trauma, this might force a tooth (or several teeth) upwards into the jawbone. The force of trauma could be great enough to injure the tooth’s ligament, and fracturing its socket. It’s important to rinse your child’s mouth with cold water and apply cold compress around the affected areas to reduce swelling. Make sure to call us right away to completely relieve your child of the pain.

 

Tooth Displacement (Extrusion, Luxation, Lateral Displacement)

Tooth displacement depends on how the tooth is angled following the trauma. Extrusion implicates that the tooth has become partly removed from its socket. Dental treatment should be sought for permanent teeth that have been displaced in order to attempt whenever possible to save the tooth as well as prevent infection. Apply cold, moist compress on the affected area and offer pain relief that has been approved by paediatricians.

 

Broken Tooth

Dr. Marvin Lean and our Professional Dental Team can easily assess the severity of a fracture by the use of dental X-rays. If there are any changes in tooth color, this indicates an emergency warning sign. While you are on your way to our office, make sure to apply cold, moist compress on the affected area to reduce swelling.  Do not wait another day to have this looked by the dentist.

 

There are other dental emergencies that your child can experience. Make sure to consult us right away to prevent any further damage or infection from developing. We here at Pickering Square Dental and serve Durham and surrounding areas for their Emergency Dental needs. 

Looking for professional help? Learn more about our emergency dental care at Pickering Square Dental or call (905) 420-1777 to book an appointment.

Helpful Resources

Family Dental Clinic

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

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 Convince Your Children to Brush Their Teeth

If adults, who are aware of the importance of brushing their teeth still forget to do so, what more can you expect from children? Parents are supposed to brush their kids’ teeth until they turn 7. It might not be the most pleasurable experience – children might detest the act and it gets messy – but it is essential.

The Best Approach
When you are teaching the little ones about brushing their teeth, you should start with yourself. Make sure that you brush your own teeth in front of them without any implications. You are giving a subliminal message to your kid that it’s something that should be done on a regular basis. Yes, you have to be the role model. Just like with any daily routine, you have to let your kids know that brushing their teeth is a fun thing to do. Even as your child gets older, make it a habit that your child will sure to bring in adulthood.

Toothpaste IS Optional
Toothpaste can make children want go gag or spit – it definitely makes things messier – and brushing might seem like a chore to them instead of something fun. Don’t let toothpaste hinder your children from wanting to brush their teeth. If they don’t like the taste of toothpaste try different brands and flavours or, just make sure you let them hold their toothbrush and brush away, in the right manner, of course.
Learn more about sedation dentistry options.

Use the Mirror
When you’re teaching your children how to brush, make sure you are both standing in front of a mirror. You cannot really train your child if you have him or her sit on the toilet as you train him or her. Stand beside your kid while he or she brushes his or her teeth, or if his or her age still needs assistance then assist him or her.

Prioritize Brushing
Don’t fit teeth brushing into your busy schedule. When your child sees that you are doing this, he or she might get the notion that brushing the teeth is more of an afterthought – something done as quickly as possible. Let  your child understand that their oral health is a priority.

Family Activity
Eating together is considered as a family activity. You can do the same with brushing your teeth. After a meal, your whole family can gather in the bathroom to brush your teeth at the same time. When you have younger kids, this will be beneficial to them – seeing both their parents and older siblings brush their teeth. You can even try to make it fun by letting one parent brush the other parent’s teeth, or let your child brush your teeth and vice-versa!

Be Positive
Threatening your child to brush his or her teeth might be the worst thing you can do. Don’t say silly things such as they will get punishment from the dentist of they don’t brush their teeth. Brushing their teeth, as well as going to the dentist, should be positive lifelong habits.

Helpful Resources

dental visit

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.

Tooth-friendly Treats on Halloween

Our Team — Pickering, ON

As October’s end approaches the days are getting shorter, the leaves are starting to fall, and it’s just about time for little ghosts and goblins to start making their way from door-to-door in search of tricks or treats.  Halloween is one of the best kid holidays of the year – dressing up, going out at night, and getting free candy – what’s not to like?  However, as with many things kids enjoy a candy-based holiday like Halloween doesn’t always have the best impact on dental health.  It’s our responsibility to make sure that whatever candy they do have doesn’t result in cavities.

Things to Give Out

Sugar-free candy is your best bet for helping out visiting spectres and superheroes with keeping their dental hygiene in good standing.  Sugarless gum is a great choice as well as the chewing action can help fight bacteria through increased saliva production.  Let’s be honest though, we remember what it felt like when we got to the house that gave out raisins for Halloween.  We did not care for it.  You may not want to be the neighbour that gives out sugar-free gum.  So if you’re looking for something the kids will love that will cause the least issues with their teeth you should go with something chocolate.  The chocolate melts quickly in comparison to harder candies and therefore does less harm.  Avoid chocolates with sticky centres and you’ll make both the kids and their dentists happy.
Learn more about dental extraction services.

Dealing with What Your Kids Bring Home

The other side of the Halloween coin is the haul your kids bring in from their evening adventure.  This can vary in size and quality greatly depending on your neighbours and your child’s work ethic.  Of course eating all that candy right away can create issues for their teeth and for their tummy so it’s best to take action to make sure that doesn’t happen.  The first step, favoured by parents for years, is to divide the candy into increments to be enjoyed throughout the month.  Once this is done don’t let them snack on it throughout the day as that can had adverse effects on their dental health – set it up as a dessert after a bigger meal. 

Additionally you can attempt to get them to trade some candy, perhaps for a little bit of change for their piggy bank or for something else they might want.  Use your imagination to get a little more candy out of their hands to protect them in the long run.  That said, don’t go eating all that candy yourself.  What goes for kids’ teeth goes for yours too!

If you’re looking to get your teeth checked out after too much sugar that may or may not have been related to Halloween, the team here at Pickering Square Dental is ready to help.  Contact us today.

Helpful Resources

Dental Implants

For more information, visit the Canadian Dental Association Oral 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
Learn more about sedation dentistry options.

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.