Dental Care for Kids in Kitchener

Good dental care for kids in Kitchener starts with a relaxed first visit and a few simple habits at home. At Lancaster Dental on Lancaster St W in north Kitchener, we see children from age 3, and we suggest booking your child’s first visit around then. A lot of parents tell us they aren’t sure what to expect, so this page covers how we look after young patients, from that first checkup to cleanings, sealants and the occasional bumped tooth.

Why early dental visits matter for kids

Baby teeth are small and they fall out, so it’s easy to think they don’t matter much. They do. They hold space for the adult teeth, they help your child chew and speak clearly, and a cavity in a baby tooth can hurt just as much as one in an adult tooth. Decay can also spread faster in young teeth because the enamel is thinner.

Early visits are about comfort, too. A child who meets us for the first time with nothing wrong has a very different experience from a child whose first visit is for a toothache. We’d much rather your child remember the dental office as the place where someone counted their teeth and let them ride the chair up and down.

Your child’s first visit at around age 3

We start seeing children at age 3, which is a good age for a first appointment. Most three year olds can sit in the chair, open wide and follow simple directions, even if they want to hold a parent’s hand the whole time.

The first visit is short. Here’s what usually happens:

• We say hello and let your child look around, touch the chair and see the mirror and the light.
• The dentist counts and checks your child’s teeth, gums and bite. If your child feels safer sitting on your lap, that’s fine.
• If your child is ready, we may polish the teeth. If not, that can wait until next time.
• We talk with you about brushing, toothpaste, drinks and snacks, and answer your questions.

A few things help the day go well. Book for a time when your child is usually rested. Keep the talk about the visit positive and low key, and skip words like “hurt” or “needle”.

Checkups and cleanings for children in Kitchener

Most children do well with a checkup and cleaning about every six months, though we may suggest a different schedule depending on your child’s teeth. At each visit we look for early signs of decay, check how the teeth are coming in and clean away the plaque and tartar that brushing misses. You can read more about what’s involved on our dental exams and cleanings page.

What happens at home matters just as much as what happens here. Until about age 6 or 7, most children don’t have the hand control to brush well on their own, so plan to help, or at least do a second pass after they’ve had their turn. Our dental home care page has practical tips for kids and adults.

Sealants and fluoride

Dental sealants

The chewing surfaces of back teeth have deep grooves that a toothbrush can’t fully reach. A sealant is a thin coating painted into those grooves to keep food and bacteria out. It’s quick, with no drilling or freezing, and it’s often suggested once the permanent molars come in. Our dental sealants page explains how it’s done.

Fluoride treatment

Fluoride makes enamel stronger and better at resisting decay. A professional treatment takes a few minutes at the end of a cleaning, and for most kids it’s painted on as a varnish. There’s nothing to numb and nothing to drill. See our fluoride treatment page for more.

If your child has a dental emergency

Kids fall off bikes, collide on the soccer field and bite down on things they shouldn’t. If your child hurts a tooth, stay calm and check for bleeding first. Press a clean, damp cloth against any cut in the mouth, then call us.

• Knocked out baby tooth: don’t try to put it back. Call us so we can check the area.
• Knocked out adult tooth: hold it by the crown, not the root, rinse it briefly if it’s dirty, and put it back in the socket if you can. If you can’t, keep it in milk and call us right away. Time matters.
• Chipped or broken tooth: save any pieces, rinse with warm water and hold a cold compress on the cheek to keep swelling down.
• Toothache: rinse with warm water and floss gently around the tooth in case food is stuck. Don’t put aspirin on the gums.

Our emergency dentist page has more detail. Go to a hospital emergency department instead if your child has swelling that affects breathing or swallowing, bleeding that won’t stop, or a jaw injury along with a possible head injury.

Making visits comfortable

Some children walk in without a care in the world. Others need a few visits before they’re happy to open wide. Both are completely normal. We go at your child’s pace, explain each step in simple words before we do it, and take breaks when they’re needed.

If your child has had a hard time at a past appointment, or deals with anxiety or sensory sensitivities, mention it when you book. Knowing ahead of time helps us plan the visit around your child.

Booking the whole family

Lots of families book back to back appointments so parents and kids are all seen in one trip. When you call, tell us how many people you’d like to book and we’ll try to line the appointments up together. If something needs attention soon, ask about our same day dental appointments.

Insurance, direct billing and CDCP for kids

We bill most insurance plans directly (some specialist work may be billed differently). Checkups, cleanings, sealants and fluoride for children are often covered, but every plan is different, so check your benefits or ask us to help you find out.

The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) covers eligible children, and we see patients with CDCP coverage. The rules can change, so confirm the details on canada.ca. Our CDCP page has more information. For anything your plan doesn’t cover, we accept credit cards and cash.

Questions parents ask

What age should my child first see the dentist?

We see children from age 3, so that’s a good time to book the first visit. If you notice a problem before then, like a dark spot on a tooth or a tooth hurt in a fall, give us a call and we’ll tell you what to do next.

Can I stay in the room with my child?

Yes, and for young children we encourage it. Many kids feel better sitting on a parent’s lap for their first checkup. As they get older, some prefer to go in on their own, and that’s fine too.

How often should my child have a checkup?

About every six months for most children. We’ll let you know if your child’s teeth need a different schedule.

Are baby teeth worth filling if they’re going to fall out anyway?

Often, yes. Some back baby teeth stay until age 10 to 12, and a cavity left alone can cause pain, infection and trouble for the adult tooth underneath. We’ll explain the options and what we’d suggest for your child.

Book your child’s visit in Kitchener

To book your child’s first visit or a family checkup, call Lancaster Dental in Kitchener at 519-578-9670 or contact us. If your child has a toothache or a hurt tooth, call as soon as you can and ask about same day dental appointments.

Related treatments

• Dental exams and cleanings
• Dental sealants
• Fluoride treatment
• Emergency dentist
• Same day dental appointments

Questions or ready to book? Contact our Kitchener office or call 519-578-9670.