Treatment For Children

Treatment for children can be challenging. Getting children on the right path to lifelong dental health begins with the eruption of their first tooth. There are a million instruction manuals for parents on integrating dental care into their child’s routine. OK, maybe less than a million, but a lot.

While they all seem to agree on the importance of dental care, they all offer different methods. There is no 100 percent perfect method. Each child learns differently. What works for one doesn’t always work for the next. For parents, this creates an environment where they feel constant pressure to “do it right,” but no one knows what is right.

That’s where Quinte Mall Dental can help. We are a family dental care center focused on helping your family maintain their oral health. Dr. Rekha Miranda and the entire staff are ready to help with education, routine appointments, etc.

Treating Children Takes Patience

Nobody seems to like the dentist. The office smells funny. Sometimes patients are crying. We see children’s cartoons depicting dentists creating painful scenarios from an early age. As adults, many people only go to a dentist when they are already in pain.

Dr. Miranda is working hard to change that perception. Modern dentistry shouldn’t be associated with painful and negative experiences. Making that shift in mindset begins by seeing patients in early childhood. By emphasizing the proper maintenance and care of deciduous (baby) teeth early, she starts children on a path to excellent oral health.

Dental Care is Integral to Overall Health

The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) states that a child should have their first dental appointment within six months after the eruption of their first tooth or by their first birthday. Dental health is directly related to overall health, which begins with good oral health and hygiene.

Some of the benefits of early and ongoing dental exams include:

Allows you to verify that at-home cleaning and oral care are effective.
The dentist can spot potential problems earlier and correct them.
Your child learns prevention rather than having a painful toothache later.

Oral care is instrumental in facilitating good chewing habits and proper speech production. Dr. Miranda will also ensure that your child’s jaw development will maintain enough space and support the eruption of adult teeth.

Education

Dr. Miranda educates children using models, computer technology, and child-friendly terminology. By emphasizing the importance of keeping teeth strong and healthy, she creates lasting habits for good oral health. In addition to helping children, they advise parents on trauma and disease prevention, healthy eating habits, and improving the home hygiene routine.

Keeping the mouth healthy is connected to keeping the body healthy. Numerous dental studies firmly draw the connection between oral health and whole-body health. There are four areas that parents can help their children with to help keep their children healthy:

See a dentist regularly. Regular exams prevent problems from becoming pain by detecting and correcting them early.
Maintain a healthy diet. Good nutrition and a well-balanced diet contribute to good oral health. Keep healthy snacks in the house and limit sugar, sodium, saturated fats, and carbohydrates.
Check your child’s mouth. Look for bleeding when they brush, and floss, red, sore, or sensitive gums, or bad breath can be signs of dental problems.
Ensure that children brush twice daily. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush with fluoride toothpaste. Children should wait 20 to 30 minutes after eating to brush. Encourage flossing every day.

The staff at Quinte Mall Dental can help. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Monitoring Growth

Dr. Miranda monitors your child’s growth and development during each dental visit. This practice allows her to anticipate dental issues and quickly intervene before they worsen. Children grow at tremendous rates. Monitoring growth patterns allows corrective measures earlier when necessary. That means we can also utilize the child’s natural growth, which lessens the impact of treatment.

Having a healthy smile also promotes a better self-image, increasing self-esteem and confidence.

Prevention

Prevention integrates home care and clinic care. Quinte Mall Dental and Dr. Miranda help children establish sound eating and oral care habits by working together with parents. These preventative measures reduce the chance of tooth decay, gum disease, and promote excellent oral health.

Dr. Miranda and her staff will provide information on the importance of dental check-ups and cleanings. They can apply dental sealants and fluoride to help protect your child’s teeth. Additionally, they will provide information on thumb-sucking, pacifier use, and hands-on demonstrations of brushing and flossing techniques. We can even discuss helping parents with smoking cessation.

Understanding Dental Anxiety

At Quinte Mall Dental, we understand dental anxiety. Although we can’t altogether remove it, everything we do in our office is about helping patients feel comfortable. Going to the dentist can be as natural as going to the mall. Your comfort is important to us.

Please let our staff know how we can help you. Let us know when you are feeling anxious. Please help us help you and your child overcome dental anxiety. Dr. Miranda uses safe and effective nitrous oxide sedation dentistry.

Safe Sedation Dentistry for Children

Studies show that patients receiving nitrous oxide (laughing gas) sedation have a better experience during dental procedures. Patients don’t usually sleep. Nitrous oxide is a mild sedative, leaving the patient alert enough to follow directions but allowing them to relax so the dentist can work.

There are many advantages to sedation dentistry:

Reduced anxiety.
Very few side effects.
No needles.
Little to no pain.
The doctor can accomplish more during the appointment.
The doctor can complete procedures more quickly.

Nitrous oxide is a safe and effective treatment alternative. It has been in use for years in pediatric dentistry. In addition to reduced pain and anxiety, nitrous oxide produces a feeling of well-being. If your child suffers from dental anxiety, please ask about sedation dentistry.

Quinte Mall Dental for the Whole Family

Quite Mall Dental is a family dental office. We provide dental care from your youngest family members to your oldest. Whatever your dental needs are, Dr. Miranda and Quinte Mall Dental are here for you.

If you have questions or concerns about our treatment for children, please contact our office.

Quinte Mall Dental is proud to treat children in Belleville ON, Prince Edward County, Stirling ON, and Trenton ON.