Gentle dental care for kids — and no, we will not hold your child down.
How a child’s first few dental visits go tends to set the tone for the next forty years. We take them slowly, explain everything before it happens, and let kids look at the instruments before they go anywhere near their mouth.
When Should My Child First See a Dentist?
By their first birthday, or when the first tooth appears — whichever comes first. That feels early to most parents, and the visit is genuinely short. It is not really about treatment. It is about the child sitting in the chair, meeting us, and learning that this is a normal, unthreatening place.
Children who start early are dramatically less likely to be anxious adults. That is the whole point of the first visit.
What We Do for Children
Checkups and cleanings
Examining how teeth are coming in, checking for decay, and a gentle clean. See dental cleanings.
Fluoride treatments
A quick varnish that strengthens developing enamel against decay.
Dental sealants
A thin protective coating over the grooves of the back teeth, where most childhood cavities start. Applied in minutes, no drilling, and one of the best-value preventive treatments in dentistry.
Fillings
Baby teeth do get cavities, and they do need treating — a decayed baby tooth can affect the adult tooth developing beneath it. See dental fillings.
Monitoring growth and bite
We watch how adult teeth erupt and flag early if orthodontic treatment looks likely, so you can plan and budget rather than being caught out.
Emergencies
Knocked-out teeth, chips from playground falls, sudden pain. See emergency dental care and contact us the same day. For a knocked-out adult tooth, time genuinely matters.
Free Coverage for Eligible Children
We accept Healthy Smiles Ontario, which provides free dental care for eligible children and youth under 18 from lower-income households. Children may also be covered under the Canadian Dental Care Plan.
If you are unsure whether your family qualifies for either, ask us. It is worth five minutes to find out.
If Your Child Is Anxious
Some children are nervous, and forcing the issue makes it permanently worse. Our approach:
- Show, tell, then do — nothing happens without explaining it first
- Short appointments to start, building up over time
- A parent in the room whenever the child wants one
- Stopping when a child has had enough, and finishing another day
One tip that helps more than anything we do: avoid words like “hurt,” “needle” or “drill” in the lead-up, even reassuringly. Children hear the noun, not the reassurance.
For children who need treatment but cannot manage it awake, sedation may be appropriate. We will discuss it properly with you first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do baby teeth really need fillings?
Yes. They hold space for the adult teeth and guide them into position. Untreated decay can cause pain, infection, and problems for the permanent tooth underneath.
Can I stay with my child?
Of course. Most young children do better with a parent present.
How often should children come in?
Every six months, same as adults. More often if they are cavity-prone.
What if my child will not open their mouth?
Then we do not force it. We use the appointment to build familiarity and try again next visit. Pushing through creates a lifelong problem to solve a single day’s one.
Is Healthy Smiles Ontario really free?
For eligible children, yes — covered services are fully paid, with nothing owed by you. See Healthy Smiles Ontario.