Everything You Need to Know,
About Your Child's Dental Health.

Pediatric dentists have two to three years of specialty training following dental school and limit their practice to treating children only. Our team of family dentists is trained to treat patients of all ages — including young children — in a warm, kid-friendly environment. You don't need a separate pediatric dental office.

We recommend a first dental exam by your child's first tooth or first birthday — whichever comes first. This early visit gives us a chance to check for cavities, review key milestones of dental development, and help you establish great habits from the start.

We keep the first appointment friendly and low-pressure. We'll do a visual exam of your child's gums and teeth, assess their comfort level, and may take X-rays if appropriate. Some procedures may be held for a second visit to keep the first experience positive. Parents are welcome to wait in reception to help your child build their own relationship with the dentist.

Children are often much more relaxed about dental visits than their parents expect. Stay calm, keep it positive, and let your child know the dentist will count their teeth and that it will be fun. Avoid projecting any anxiety you might have — kids pick up on it quickly.

Every six months is the standard recommendation for most children. This schedule helps us prevent cavities, catch any issues at their earliest stage, and monitor development. We may recommend more frequent visits for children who are more cavity-prone.

Yes. We bill your insurance company directly and collect any remaining balance from you at the time of treatment. We also accept Alberta Child Health Benefits (ACHB) and First Nations Non Insured Health Benefits (NIHB).

Baby teeth play a crucial role in your child's development. They help children speak clearly, chew naturally, and hold space so permanent teeth can erupt in the right positions. Untreated cavities in baby teeth can cause pain, infection, and can affect the incoming permanent teeth. Your child will keep some primary teeth until age 9–13.

At least twice a day — morning and before bed. The most important brushing is the one before sleep, as saliva flow decreases overnight, making teeth more vulnerable to bacteria.

For children under 2, use a smear no larger than a grain of rice. For ages 2–5, use a pea-sized amount. Always use a toothpaste recommended by the Canadian Dental Association. Young children cannot brush effectively on their own — help them, and remind them to spit out excess toothpaste rather than swallowing.

As soon as your child has teeth that touch each other, usually between ages 2 and 6. Tooth brushing alone cannot clean between teeth, and cavities between teeth are very common in children. Most children develop the dexterity to floss independently around age 10.

A well-balanced diet is the foundation of healthy teeth. Limit sugary snacks — the more frequently your child snacks, the greater the risk of tooth decay. Healthy snack options include vegetables, low-fat yogurt, and low-fat cheese. Avoid letting your child sip on juice or sweetened drinks throughout the day.

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay (BBTD) is a serious form of rapid tooth decay that affects the upper front teeth and lower back teeth of infants and toddlers. It develops when a baby's bottle containing milk, juice, or other sweetened liquids is left in the child's mouth for prolonged periods — especially during sleep. The sugars pool around the teeth and create an environment where decay develops quickly.

All 20 primary teeth typically appear by age 3, though the pace varies. First teeth usually emerge around 6 months — though some children get them earlier or later, which is perfectly normal. Permanent teeth typically begin appearing around age 6, starting with the first molars and lower central incisors.

Teeth grinding (bruxism) is common in children and is often first noticed by the sound during sleep or visible wear on the teeth. The good news: most children outgrow it. Grinding tends to decrease between ages 6–9 and usually stops by ages 9–12. We'll monitor it at each visit and recommend treatment only if it becomes a concern.