The Academy of Pediatric Dentists recommends a first dental visit by age 1! At this visit we will do a comprehensive exam for your little one. During this visit we will discuss anticipatory guidance such as proper brushing or cleaning the gum/teeth from birth to adult dentition and how to establish good diet from breast/bottle feeding to childhood snacking. We will also discuss future and current dental development, how to make sure good habits are in place and prevent wrong habits from the beginning for your little one. Of course, we will answer any questions you may have too.

Dental sealants are clear protective coating layers painted for vulnerable cavity prone areas on back teeth to prevent cavities and need for fillings or more invasive dental procedures down the road.
Think of them as raincoats for your teeth. When the cavity-causing bacteria that live in everyone’s mouth meet leftover food particles, they produce acids that can create holes in teeth. These holes are cavities. Sealants keep those bits of food and plaque and bacteria from forming cavities just like a raincoat keeps you clean and dry during a storm.
Dental sealants are recommended for new permanent teeth with groovy chewing surfaces as soon as they erupt, which typically occurs in children 6 – 14 years old. In some cases, we may also recommend sealants for baby teeth as well.

Applying dental sealants is a quick, simple and painless procedure that can be done as part of a regular dental checkup.

We offer both white and silver fillings for small cavities and crowns for large cavities.
We will explain to you what kind of filling is recommended for your child’s cavity and answer any questions you may have.

We offer both options for crowns when there are large cavities.

1. Silver Crowns

They are easy to prepare and fit and often provide a very strong surface for chewing and high level of protection against cavities. (Pictures )

2. White Crowns

Zirconia crowns are a more esthetic option that still provide a strong surface with high level of protection against cavities. Their retention however is less than silver crowns and need more tooth reduction for placement.

Silver diamine fluoride is a liquid substance used to help prevent tooth cavities from forming, growing, or spreading to other teeth. Silver diamine fluoride represents a quick, non-invasive and painless procedure for which dental freezing is not required. It can be applied by only painting on the cavity with small brush to arrest cavity rather than drilling into the tooth.
The disadvantage of using silver diamine fluoride is it will stain the cavity black and some parents may not like the appearance.
Silver diamine fluoride can be effective for certain types of cavities. The dentist will decide on an individual basis if it is an appropriate option for your child in consultation with the parent.
For more information please click here.

Some kids are anxious and may benefit from some sort of a sedation that can be provided by laughing gas, sleepy juice or even sleep dentistry. Our goal is to make each and every sedation experience as safe and relaxing as possible for both the child and parent.

There are three different types of sedation we use to make the appointment more comfortable for anxious children and get them through the appointment. We are trained and certified to provide these kinds of sedation. We will gladly explain to you what option our pediatric dentist has recommended and answer any questions you may have.

Our pediatric dentist also will give you specific instructions prior to each sedation procedure such as fasting or restricting food and drink. It is important to follow these instructions closely to prevent nausea and vomiting. It is also very important to inform our staff of your child’s full medical history, as well as any prescriptions and medications your child may be taking prior to each sedation.

Types of Dental Sedation

Minimal sedation with only laughing gas

The laughing gas is meant to make your child relaxed and comfortable but still fully conscious and responsive. Laughing gas is safe but it doesn’t work for all kids, especially if they have severe anxiety. We will put a mask with a variety of optional flavours on your child’s nose and your child will remain awake during the procedure. Once the gas is turned off, your child will resume their normal activity and daily routine almost right away. We administer pure oxygen through the mask at the end of the treatment to help clear out any remaining nitrous oxide from their system. Laughing gas is very safe and we can adjust the level of sedation at any time during the procedure, as needed.

Moderate sedation with medication and laughing gas together

Some kids are more nervous and laughing gas alone may not make them comfortable. With the moderate sedation option your child is meant to be sleepy and relaxed but awake and somewhat responsive. We give your child “sleepy juice” prior to initiating treatment and we will observe your child before, during and after the appointment. Some kids will not remember the appointment.

Sleep dentistry

You may choose to do all of your child’s treatment at once if your child is in need of extensive or long complex treatments, cannot tolerate the dental treatment awake, is extremely anxious, is very young, has special needs or has very strong gag reflex.
We do offer full sleep dentistry in house which is overseen by our medical anesthesiologist and his team.

How Safe is Anesthesia or sleep dentistry for Children?

Dental anesthesia or sleep dentistry is safe, but there are always risks to any medicine. Minor side effects of anesthesia, such as a sore throat, nausea, and vomiting, can be common. Major complications from anesthesia are rare. If you have concerns, ask Our medical anesthesiologist (A physician or doctor who completes a 3-5-year anesthesiology residency after medical school).

Your child’s comfort and safety are our top priorities at Country Kids Dental Cambridge. This is why we perform a full review of your child’s medical history, current medications, allergies, and any other concerns prior to scheduling any sleep dental surgery. It is critical to inform our dentist of your child’s full medical history and any medications they are currently taking.

What to Expect on a Typical sleep dentistry day?

Your child will be completely asleep, calm, relaxed and pain free during their dental appointment. Specially-trained anesthesia doctor will administer medications and monitor your child while a separate dentist performs the dental procedure. Anesthesia can be given in our office that is specially equipped. The sedation is administered through anesthetic gas and an IV (typically in their arm) that allows the dentist and anesthesiologist to give your child more medicine throughout the procedure as needed. With full sedation dentistry the patient has no memory or recollection of the procedure.

Preparing Your Child for Full Sleep Sedation

Our team, consisting of a pediatric dentist, anesthesiologist, nurse and dental assistants will do everything within our abilities to make you and your child as comfortable as possible throughout the entire process.

Before Surgery

Upon arrival at the office the child will be assessed to make sure he or she is fit for anesthesia and does not have a cold, flu, vomiting, diarrhea or sore throat.  If the child is healthy, he/she will be sedated.

Anesthetics are normally given in the morning because you cannot eat or drink before an anesthetic.  The child will wake up that morning, have nothing to eat or drink, be driven to their appointment wearing pajamas or loose-fitting clothing so that monitoring equipment can be applied easily.

Once the child is sedated, he/she will be taken to the treatment room and continuously monitored for safety.

During Surgery

You can stay with them until they are fully sedated. This helps keep both you and the child calm. The patient will be given fresh oxygen (and possibly sleep medicine) through a mask to breathe.

Among children, due to the fear of needles, the intravenous catheter will often be placed after falling asleep, to allow the fluids or medications to be given.

Once your child is sedated, we will monitor their vitals. This includes blood oxygen levels, blood pressure, temperature, and heart rate. This allows us to detect and address any abnormalities as soon as they may arise, keeping your child safe and relaxed.

After Surgery

Once all dental treatment is completed, we will invite the parent(s) into the recovery room to be present for when their child wakes up after sedation. This creates a comforting environment and will keep them calm.

The recovery time to fully wake up and be ready to go home can take an hour or two, which is why we have a comfortable space for patients and their parents to rest.

Anesthetic drugs have occasional after effects including nausea, dizziness, sleepiness and loss of normal body coordination.  Some patients may experience a sore throat and minor aches.  Usually these effects will have dissipated within twenty-four hours after discharge. Our pediatric dentist will provide the parents post-op instructions for after dental treatments.

If your child loses a baby tooth early a space maintainer may be needed to hold the space for the adult tooth underneath.

We need to see your child every 6 months for a dental check-up and cleaning. During these regular visits, we will:

• check the health of teeth, gums and mouth
• remove any build-up on the teeth
• polish the teeth
• apply fluoride
• take radiographs as needed to check for cavities in between the teeth that might be missed otherwise

These regular dental visits also give us a chance to make sure that home care is adequate and reinforce the importance of good oral hygiene to the child and parent.

At Country kids Dental Cambridge, we offer orthodontic braces.

Few people are born with perfectly straight and properly aligned teeth. Orthodontics is a specialized dental practice that uses various techniques and appliances (such as dental bonding and orthodontic braces) to correct imperfect bites (or “malocclusions”) caused by crowded, crooked, or misaligned teeth.

Many of our dental patients consider only the aesthetic benefits to be gained from correcting these conditions. It’s true that treatment can do wonders for the self-confidence of patients embarrassed about their smiles. An improper bite can also adversely affect your overall oral health, your speech, and even your nutrition.

Both the American Association of Orthodontists and Canadian Association of Orthodontists recommend that children have their first appointment with an orthodontist at age 7. Most children do not need any treatment at that age, but some small problems, when corrected early on, can avoid larger issues from developing in the future.

Older children and even adults can still benefit from orthodontic treatment. No matter your age, there is no such thing as too late for orthodontic braces, if you need them.

We offer Free consultation appointment for braces.
Your first orthodontic visit will begin with x-rays and photos, which will be used during your consultation. After these records are completed and evaluated, we will conduct an exam and discuss with you their findings.
This discussion will take into consideration:

• Your clinical orthodontic needs
• The proper timing to address these needs,
• The goals that you personally wish for your orthodontic treatment to achieve, and
• Treatment options to reach these goals.
• Together, we will come up with a plan that everyone is comfortable with to achieve your best smile!

We strive to make each and every visit to our office a fun one!

Orthodontic Braces at Country kids Dental Cambridge

Braces are still the most common form of orthodontics; however, there have been significant advances in recent years in the design of orthodontic braces. Patients worried about the discomfort and embarrassment of having a “metal mouth” should know that there are new options now available.
Traditional Orthodontic Braces – Even if metal braces are recommended, they are now available with smaller, less prominent brackets. Many younger patients also like the ability to choose from a rainbow of band colors.
“Clear” Braces – These are composed of either porcelain or advanced plastic resin. By blending better with your natural tooth color, most patients find them to be less evident.

Invisalign® – One of the most exciting innovations to come along in recent years is the Invisalign® system. Instead of the brackets found in traditional orthodontic braces, this system uses a series of clear plastic aligners. Each is worn for about two weeks until the desired realignment is achieved. A further advantage over traditional braces is that the Invisalign® appliance can be removed when eating. Be sure to ask your orthodontist whether Invisalign® may be right for you or your child.

What to Expect with Orthodontic Braces

The first step in getting any orthodontic work is a consultation. Our orthodontist will check the patient’s bite and determine whether braces, a retainer, or another dental appliance is appropriate. With both ceramic and traditional braces, cement holds brackets to the face of the teeth, and then further connected via arch wires. These wires are adjusted over time to help move the teeth into their proper alignment. Adjustments are made on a monthly or bi-monthly basis.

Most new orthodontic patients experience some soreness after the placement of orthodontic braces and after each adjustment. However, most also find that the discomfort subsides quickly. Also, today’s smaller brackets tend to cause less irritation to cheeks and other soft tissues.

After a period of adjustment, many of our patients tell us the braces are very comfortable and they no longer even notice it

Paying for your braces

At Country kids Dental Cambridge, we offer affordable orthodontic care and attractive payment plans. Ask us about dental financing through PayBright. Our office manager will be delighted to arrange for your first appointment.  You can call our dental clinics 7 days a week.

It’s Worth the Effort!

Be patient! While your orthodontic treatment plan may require months or even years to complete, the benefits will last a lifetime.

The Importance of Good Oral Hygiene

Conscientious home dental care and regular dentist visits are of course important for everyone, but they’re essential to prevent decay and gum disease in patients who wear orthodontic braces. Our orthodontist and our dental team can show you or your child the correct way to brush and floss. They may also recommend the use of one of the readily available home oral irrigation devices that use a gentle stream of water to dislodge food particles that brushing, and flossing can’t reach.

Is your child having a dental emergency? Our in-house children’s dental care specialists are available 7 days a week to assist with knocked out teeth, broken teeth, dislodged teeth, and severe tooth pain.

We are available to assist you when your child needs it the most.
It is important that any form of dental emergency be taken seriously. If you ignore a simple toothache it might worsen and become very expensive to treat.

At Country kids Dental Cambridge, you will get all the dental advice and medical attention you need. We will get you into our dental office and out of pain in a same-day appointment where possible.

1. Knocked out Baby tooth:
It is crucial to rule out more serious injuries such as a concussion. If there is a medical emergency, call 911 or visit the hospital emergency room.

If possible, find the tooth. This is primarily to rule out any possible choking hazards.

You should also call us at 519-620-9156.

We always have time to see kids with emergencies. In most cases no treatment needs to be done, but we would like to assess the adjacent teeth, gums and surrounding tissues of knocked our tooth.

2. Knocked out Adult tooth:
It is crucial to rule out more serious injuries such as a concussion. If there is a medical emergency, call 911 or visit the hospital emergency room.

If possible, find the tooth. Handle the tooth by holding the crown and not the root. The crown is the part of the tooth that is seen in the mouth. The root is very sensitive and can be destroyed easily. Holding the root might destroy crucial tissues important in re-attaching the tooth.
Inspect the tooth for fractures.

If it is sound and you can put the tooth back in its socket and have your child bite down on a piece of cloth or gauze. If you cannot reinsert the tooth, just transport it in a cup of milk or your child’s saliva. Remember the key is to make the tooth moist and prevent it from drying out by putting it in milk or saliva for transport.

You should call us at 519-620-9156 immediately. Time is really important for future success of this tooth.

3. What if my child has a chipped or fractured baby tooth?
Call us immediately at 519-620-9156.  Most of the time, this is not an emergency and we opt to monitor the tooth.

4. What if my child has a dislodged baby tooth?

Call us immediately at 519-620-9156. Our pediatric dentist is trained to take pictures of children of all ages to assess the dislodged tooth to make sure it is not damaging the adult teeth underneath or interfering with the bite.

5. What if my child has a chipped or fractured permanent tooth?

Contact us immediately at 519-620-9156. Time is crucial to save the tooth, prevent infection and reduce the need for extensive dental treatment. If possible, locate and save any broken tooth fragments and bring them with you to the dentist.

6. What if my child has a dislodged permanent tooth?
Call us immediately at 519-620-5196. Time is crucial. Try pushing the tooth back into position using your finger, but please do not apply excess pressure. You can also use painkillers to relieve the pain as you wait to see our emergency dentist. Our dentist will apply an anesthetic and then wash the area, after which an x-ray will be done to eliminate any possibilities of a root fracture. After that, our dentist will reposition the tooth and will bond the tooth using a wire with resin, orthodontic bracket, or synthetic cloth. The material used in bonding teeth should be left intact for around 7- 10 days as the tooth slowly recovers.

7. What if my child has a toothache?

Contact us at Country kids Dental Cambridge at 519-620-5196. Your child can be given over-the-counter pain relievers, but do not rely on them for treatment. Brush their teeth and use dental floss to remove any decayed food particles.

8. What if our child has an abscessed tooth or facial swelling?

These are infections common to the areas around the tooth or in between the teeth and gums. They are normally very serious and can cause severe damage to the teeth.

Never ignore or try to use any form of self-medication for an abscessed tooth. Call us immediately at 519-620-5196 and visit one of our Country kids Dental Cambridge emergency dentists immediately as the infection may spread if left unattended. Don’t hesitate to visit us and we will immediately get you into our dental office.

IF YOU ARE NOT SURE, WHEN IN DOUBT ALWAYS GIVE US A CALL at 519-620-5196.