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‘Tis the Season for Pictures with Santa | Ottawa Dentist

Ask any tiny human their favorite time of year and chances are you will likely hear that it’s Christmas. And what’s more fun than taking your little one to have a photo taken with Santa? Yes, this is a magical season destined for loads of tiny smiles. Not only do they get lots of presents from Santa and no school in sight, but everywhere they go there is another delicious treat waiting for them to eat. Between the cakes and sweets, the holiday season is a child’s dream. What isn’t dreamlike is a parent trying to keep their little one from ruining their smile during the holiday festivities. In fact, it can be downright tough to keep a smile on their child’s face while keeping that smile healthy. But a healthy smile starts with a good foundation. Here are some tips to start your little one off on the right foot:

Daily routines. Repetition is the best way to start a good habit, so make sure your child brushes their teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Supervisor their work until they can thoroughly do it themselves. Once teeth coming in begin to touch, introduce flossing.

First dental visit. The AAPD suggests baby’s first dental visit occur when their first tooth comes in, or around the age of one. Keeping them on a six-month dental schedule will not only ensure they keep a healthy smile but will also help prevent dental anxiety as they grow.

You are what you eat. We can instill all the dental knowledge we can, but if you have a bad diet, it won’t help. Same goes for your little one. Keep things in moderation. Limit the sugary snacks, cooked starches and sweetened drinks. 

For more information about holiday dental tips for kids, call Dr. Pliev in Ottawa, ON at 613-235-5348 or visit www.ottawadentistryonkent.com.

Dr. Konstantin Pliev proudly serve patients from Ottawa and all surrounding areas.

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A New Parent’s Guide to Pediatric Dental Hygiene | Ottawa Dentist

Many parents believe that the best time to establish good dental hygiene habits is right when their child’s first tooth appears. In actuality, the best time to start taking care of your child’s teeth is the moment that your child is born. Because even without teeth, bacteria can and will build up. And as more teeth come in, and fall out to make room for permanent ones, the dental hygiene routine will change. Here is a quick rundown of ways to care for your tiny human’s teeth from birth to the first dental visit:

After each feeding, wipe your baby’s gums with a soft damp cloth to remove excess milk and bacteria. Once your child’s teeth develop and break through the gums, it’s time to start brushing twice a day. Very similar to the way we brush our teeth but use a soft children’s toothbrush and baby toothpaste until they reach preschool-age, when the amount of toothpaste increases to the size of a pea. Little humans have a tendency to swallow the toothpaste, instead of spitting it out.

As they begin to eat, realize that they are going to love anything with sugar, so try to keep their favorites to something special. And since good habits start at home, start teaching your family good dental hygiene habits.

When it comes to baby’s first dental visit, parents should take their children as soon as their first tooth pops out, but no longer than the child’s first birthday. Doing this makes it easier for the dentist to look for any early signs and symptoms of problems with the child’s teeth and teach you important information about your child’s diet, the use of the right bottles, brushing, etc.

Schedule your appointment today. Call Dr. Doumit in Ottawa, Ontario at 613-232-8000 or visit www.urbandentalcentre.com.

Dr. Katia Doumit proudly serves Ottawa and all surrounding areas.

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Autumn’s Seasonal Hero Can Help Your Smile | Ottawa Dentist

Tonight, little humans all over Canada will set out around their neighborhoods looking for a bag full of sweet treats in exchange for a pledge not to trick. It’s a fair trade for most of these tiny ghosts and goblins. As parents, we need to take this time to not only instill good dental habits, but to teach moderation when it comes to things like Halloween candy.

We all know that not all candy is the same. Some are chewy, others crunchy – some have a fruit flavor while others are made of chocolate. It doesn’t matter the preference, candy is a certain treat that needs to be handled in moderation, or it will lead to cavities and other health issues.

One way to do this is by introducing another staple of the autumn season – apples. We bob for them at Halloween parties, snack on them covered in caramel and indulge in pies filled with them. But more than that, apples are really good for our smiles.

It’s true – this crispy fruit is fantastic for producing saliva, which is our natural way of keeping our mouths clean and bacteria free. Additionally, the fibers within the apple play an added role in cleaning our teeth in a way similar to a toothbrush. Now, it’s not a substitute… Apples are a healthy snack but shouldn’t replace your daily dental hygiene routine. These are just natural ways that you can improve your smile while enjoying a tasty treat.

So, while you are teaching your little ones about brushing their teeth after snacking on Halloween candy, why not switch up the seasonal snack with an apple from time to time?

For more information about smile-friendly ways to celebrate Halloween, call Dr. Pliev in Ottawa, ON at 613-235-5348 or visit www.ottawadentistryonkent.com.

Dr. Konstantin Pliev proudly serve patients from Ottawa and all surrounding areas.