Should Teens See a General or Pediatric Dentist?

when should my child transition from a pediatric to general dentist? Kelowna

Some parents in the Kelowna area bring their children to a pediatric dentist. Others use a general or family dentist for every member of their household.

What’s the difference between a pediatric dentist and a general dentist?

Pediatric dentists have specialized training to treat infants, young children, and adolescents. They use special dental tools created for smaller mouths. Some pediatric dentists have training in child psychology which can help make children feel comfortable during dental treatment.

When should my child transition from a pediatric dentist to a general dentist? Some parents transition their child to a general dentist as soon as all their child’s permanent teeth come in. Other parents have their children see a pediatric dentist until their late teens.

Does your teen feel comfortable at a pediatric dental practice?

Sometimes, when a child hits their early teen years, they feel uncomfortable at a pediatric dental practice. This is especially true if the office is furnished and geared toward toddlers and pre-teens. In this case, the teen may choose the right time to transition.

Above all, it’s critical that your child feels comfortable at the dentist. If your child starts feeling like they are too old to see a pediatric dentist, it’s time to switch to a general dentist.

We understand the oral health needs of your teenager

Remember that the team at Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair is willing and able to address adolescent dental needs. We are happy to treat your teenager through their adolescent years.

What dental issues should I be watching for during adolescence?

First off, pay attention to your son or daughter’s nutrition. As children become more independent, they start making more of their own food choices. If you visit any Kelowna-area middle school or high school during lunch, you will notice that some teens drink soda and energy drinks. Most of those teens most likely drank milk during elementary school. Make sure you get enough calcium to keep your teeth strong. Vaping and smoking take a toll on physical and dental health. Unfortunately, they are too common among the teen group in the Kelowna area.

Your dentist is an essential member of your teen’s healthcare team

Your dentist can help you understand how their diet and lifestyle impact their oral health. If your teenager struggles with an eating disorder, a dentist can address any related dental issues. If your teen is undergoing orthodontic treatment, your dentist can monitor their teeth closely during a time when it’s more difficult to keep teeth clean and free of tooth decay

Regardless of when you transition your teen to a general dentist, make sure they see a dentist at least twice a year. Continue to monitor their oral hygiene practices and set a good example. Watch out for destructive habits. Furthermore, make sure they wear a mouthguard when participating in contact sports.

The team at Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair has been serving families in the Kelowna area since 2004. We value the relationships we have developed with our patients and their families. If you are looking for an experienced, caring family and general dentist in the Kelowna area, give us a call to schedule a consultation.

 

CONTACT LOVE YOUR SMILE – DR. STEPHEN MALFAIR:

778-760-2099

LOCATION (TAP TO OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS):

301-1890 Cooper Rd
Kelowna, British Columbia
V1Y 8B7


Keeping Patients Calm Since 2004

sleep dentistry Kelowna

Keeping Patients Calm

If you tense up just thinking about going to the dentist, you may benefit from sedation dentistry offered by Love Your Smile in Kelowna.

Millions of Americans stress out when they have to see the dentist. It is referred to as dental anxiety. There is a more severe form, too, called dental phobia. In both, some people would rather skip the dentist altogether than sit down for a checkup. The problem with that, of course, is it puts their dental health at risk.

There are lots of reasons why people develop anxiety or phobia over dental care. It often stems from a bad experience they had with a dentist as a kid. Fear of pain may be involved, as well as a fear of anesthesics and possible side effects.

Whatever the cause, sedation dentistry has helped millions of people get through their appointments.

We offer three types:

Nitrous Oxide – You also know this as laughing gas. Nitrous oxide has been used in dentistry for more than a century and is highly effective.

Oral conscious sedation – You take a sedative an hour or so before the appointment. You won’t sleep, but will be in a deeply relaxed state. When the appointment is over, someone will have to drive you home.

IV Sedation – As the name suggests, this is a sedative that is administered intravenously. You won’t sleep with this one, either, but will be in a deeply relaxed state. You’ll need an escort for a ride here and back.

Remember, it is critical that you do not compromise your dental health by skipping the dentist. Sedation dentistry from Love Your Smile in Kelowna has helped patients throughout Mission, V1Y 8B7, and V1W 3C6. Our services include general and children’s dentistry. Schedule an appointment today!

 

Contact Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair:

250-860-8900

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

301-1890 Cooper Rd
Kelowna, British Columbia
V1Y 8B7

 

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Toothbrush Tantrums: When Your Child Won’t Brush

how to make your child brush their teeth Kelowna

Children’s dental experts generally recommend that parents brush their kids’ teeth until they’re around seven years old. That’s about the time most kids begin to assert their independence, so it’s a good time for them to take over. But sometimes kids get stubborn about brushing. Then what? Love Your Smile in Kelowna has some tips.

Ideally, children should brush their teeth twice a day. Setting the right example can make a big difference. Let your kids know how important good dental health is to you, and make sure they see you brush and floss without fail.

Here are some other tips that are tried and true:

Make it fun. Try singing some of your children’s favorite songs as they brush, or even do a silly dance. Make it special, something reserved for brushing.

Choices. Like we said, issues can arise as children begin to assert their independence. Get them more involved by letting them choose the toothbrush and toothpaste they want to use. Make sure their choice has the American Dental Association label on it – and let them know why that label important.

Be positive. This is one of the most important things. If your child digs in her heels and won’t brush, don’t issue any ultimatums. It’s okay to let brushing go now and then. It’s a good time to emphasize how important good dental health is, but don’t make it negative. A small reward, like staying up a little later on Friday night or control of the TV remote, can help.

At Love Your Smile in Kelowna we want to help our young patients start on a lifetime of good dental health. Parents from Mission, V1Y 8B7, and V1W 3C6 know they can trust our children’s dentistry, as well as our restorative dentistry. Call to schedule an appointment today!

Contact Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair:

250-860-8900

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):


301-1890 Cooper Rd
Kelowna, British Columbia
V1Y 8B7

 

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Infancy Through Childhood: Instill Good Brushing Habits

infant dental exam Kelowna

At Love Your Smile in Kelowna, new parents are sometimes surprised by our recommendations on infant oral care. They should begin brushing their baby’s teeth as soon as the first teeth emerge. After all, brand-new teeth are just as vulnerable to decay as older teeth.

Parents should use a warm damp cloth and a smidgen of toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice) to wipe each tooth. As more teeth come in, it becomes more critical for the teeth to be brushed after each meal, or at least twice a day.

The selection of a toothbrush is important in order to make brushing time as pleasant as possible. A soft-bristled brush is best. Infant and toddler-sized toothbrushes with a small head of bristles are useful. Also, there are circle and triangular-shaped brushes that allow your toddler to walk around with their brush with less chance of injury in case of a fall.

If your child can’t tolerate the taste of toothpaste, it’s okay to brush without it for a while. The goal is to remove food debris that will create bacteria followed by plaque and then cavities.

When two teeth touch, it’s time to floss. Flossing is vital to make sure no food is lodged between the teeth. Proper flossing requires fine motor skills which most kids don’t develop before age six or seven. Parents need to assist with flossing until they are sure their child can do it effectively.

Until the child is old enough to properly brush his or her teeth, they should receive adult supervision and guidance. Instilling the proper brushing and flossing procedures will reap lifelong benefits. While it may seem that supervising them is time-consuming, remember that it’s creating a daily habit that will guard their health. Also, dental expenses related to poor oral hygiene will be avoided.

Your child’s first dental visit should be within six months of the first tooth appearing and no later than their first birthday. At Love Your Smile in Kelowna we offer complete children’s dentistry, and advocate preventative dentistry. Call to schedule an appointment for your youngster today!

Contact Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair:

250-860-8900

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

301-1890 Cooper Rd
Kelowna, British Columbia
V1Y 8B7

 

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Protect Young Smiles For Active Kids

pediatric dental Kelowna

At Love Your Smile in Kelowna, children’s dentistry is central to our practice. Do you have a youngster playing sports? We remind you that soccer, baseball, football, and basketball can be very dicey for your child’s teeth.

Football is a contact sport, yet has a relatively low rate of tooth injuries compared to other contact sports. Why? Football players are instructed to wear a mouth guard and a helmet. Mouth guards are inexpensive, but worth their weight in gold!

If your child participates in a contact sport and does not wear a mouth guard, we recommend that you get them one and make sure they wear it. They are available at most athletic supply stores. Some dentists make individually-constructed athletic mouthguards that deliver even better protection than the one-size-fits-all brands.

At Love Your Smile in Kelowna, our children’s dentistry maintains your youngster’s dental health. We also offer smile design services. Call to schedule an appointment with us today!

Contact Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair:

250-860-8900

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

301-1890 Cooper Rd
Kelowna, British Columbia
V1Y 8B7

 

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Developing Good Dental Habits

Developing Good Dental Habits In Mission

Benjamin Franklin once said that it’s easier to prevent bad habits than to break them. At Love Your Smile in Kelowna, we couldn’t agree more!

Ben Franklin’s saying holds true for almost everything in life. For parents, teaching your children good oral hygiene techniques early will benefit their smile throughout their lives.

If you wait too long to teach your child how to brush and floss, or if you don’t make sure they are doing it often enough, you’re setting yourself up for a lot of work down the road.

It’s very hard to convince an older child that they should be spending two or three times longer brushing their teeth each morning and night. But if they’ve done it for as long as they can remember, then their habits should be sufficient to keep their teeth and gums healthy.

Unfortunately, tooth decay is extremely common in children. To minimize its impact, it takes more than getting them to brush early and often. It’s also critical to limit their sugary snacks. It may be easier said than done, but try to get your kids accustomed to eating healthy snacks. Save the sugary stuff for special treats.

At Love Your Smile in Kelowna, we enjoy having our youngest patients in the office. They’re so full of life! We offer a wide range of services, including children’s and preventative dentistry. Schedule an appointment for your child today!

Contact Love Your Smile – Dr. Stephen Malfair:

250-860-8900

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

301-1890 Cooper Rd
Kelowna, British Columbia
V1Y 8B7

 

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