Pediatric & Kids Dentistry

“First Tooth, First Visit”, the Canadian Dental Association recommends that you bring your child to see a dentist within 6 months after your child has his/her first tooth, or latest by the first birthday, so that preventative measures can be made before dental problems arise. We will also inform you on the things to watch out for based on the age of your child so that you can better care for their oral health at home.

Some baby teeth do not fall out until age 12 or 13, so if a cavity is left untreated, it can lead to pain or infection, which impedes on a child’s ability to chew or speak. In addition, baby tooth infection may have a detrimental impact on the development and eruption of the permanent successor underneath. Therefore, unless a baby tooth is so wiggly that it is ready to exfoliate, it is important to get its cavities treated as soon as possible.

At Ridgeway Dental, we adhere to the principle of ALARA regarding x-ray radiation, which stands for “As Low As Reasonably Achievable”. We only take x-rays necessary to make an accurate diagnosis, and the fact that the digital x-rays that we use reduces the radiation dosage by 80% compared to the traditional films give our patients a peace of mind.

We generally recommend the first set of bitewing x-rays i.e. cavity x-rays for the back teeth around age 6 when the first permanent molars erupt, or sometimes at a younger age if active decay is suspected. For young patients who have not had any dental issues, x-rays can be taken every 12-18 months. For those with high cavity risk or active decay, x-rays every 6 months sometimes are necessary to closely monitor the teeth.