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9 Secrets for Raising Cavity Free Kids:
Before bringing them to a dentist for your kids, read this…

If you have kids, and you are looking for a dentist for kids, you know that introducing them to new things can be fun, challenging, exciting, frustrating, and so much more all at the same time! Scroll to the bottom if you want to read the 9 Critical Things to Look For in a Dentist for Your Kids.

Dr. Corey Grossman, general dentist, has been caring for families like yours for over 15 years. All the staff at Still Waters Dental are friendly, respectful, and really enjoy what they do.

Back when I was a kid, a lot of my friends grew up almost expecting to have cavities when they went to the dentist. Having the doctor pry, poke, and drill for an hour or so was normal.

            However, that is not the case anymore! Times have changed!

Today, in our society, there are a couple of benefits our kids have, that we didn’t have when we were younger. For example, one of the great benefits is that kids today are growing up with fluoride in the water. People are becoming more aware of hygiene; parents are becoming more aware that they need to bring their kids to the dentist. Especially before they’re in pain.

I made this simple report to give you a couple quick, helpful tips that you can use to help your kid grow up with healthy teeth, and prevent as many dental problems as possible.  Small acts here and there, and regular visits can prevent all sorts of extremely costly and painful surgeries later in their life.  They will thank you will they are older and have beautiful, healthy, pearly white teeth.

When is the earliest a parent should start bringing their kids to the dentist?

Most dental books say when your kid is beginning to have teeth, but that usually doesn’t work out so well. Try to get a 1- 2 year old to listen to you, yeah right! What I usually do is, say to the parents who come to me is “When the kid’s three year’s old, bring them in with you. I’ll sit them in the chair, ride them up and down and see how much we can do. If they let us look in their mouth and count their teeth, we will! If they let us polish their teeth, we will!”

A lot of times we just put them in the chair, shine the light and show them everything and then they go home and they come back with you again in six months when you need your cleaning and we do a little bit more. So that way when they leave it’s not a negative thing, but they think, “Hey, this doctor’s pretty cool”.

So they go home and it was fine and they come back again and they’re familiar with it and they actually enjoy going. My philosophy is, teach the kids to enjoy being at the dentist, then if they need something done, I can refer them to a pediatric dentist. But if I could look in their mouth, and if they’re three there’s really not going to be much going on in there, but if I can look in their mouth and see there’s nothing major , well then just come back in six months, you know we’ll give them their toothbrush then everything is fun.

Parents seem to like that, because when they do come back, then they grow up not being afraid of the dentist. Whereas if I force them to do something the first time, well they’re not going to want to come back. And I can’t blame them.

Here are those 9 Secrets that I had promised you!

1. Begin cleaning your baby’s mouth with a clean gauze pad the first week the kid is brought home from the hospital. Although most babies don’t have any teeth until about six months of age, a daily cleaning in infancy will get your kid accustomed to the process, and ensure clean and healthy gums when the teeth do come in.
2. By starting early, your baby is more likely to accept your cleaning her/his teeth later, when it is necessary to prevent tooth decay. Incorporate a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste into the routine by the time your kid reaches 18 months, or at the time his/her first molars come in.
3. Your kid’s first visit to the dentist should be by the age of 3. Although baby teeth will eventually fall out, they are very important to your kid’s dental development. That is because the muscles of his/her mouth and jaw form around the foundation laid by his/her first set of teeth. The dentist can make sure your kid’s dental development is proceeding normally with checkups every six months thereafter.
4. Stop your kid’s thumb sucking habits before his permanent teeth come in or by the age of six. Sucking on a thumb or pacifier is a natural and satisfying behavior for babies. However, the habit can alter the position of baby’s developing teeth and the dental arches if it continues after his permanent teeth begin to erupt. Fortunately, the damage is usually self-correcting, unless your youngster continues the habit much past the age of 4. If you are having trouble getting your kid to stop sucking his/her thumb, please stop by and borrow one of my books on this subject.
5. Make sure your kid gets the benefits of the latest in cavity prevention, including fluorides and sealants. Fluoride supplements are generally prescribed if you have well water or have a kid that drinks a lot of soda.
6. Do not give your kid a bottle at night with juice or milk! If your kids must have a bottle at bedtime, use water or a pacifier.
7. If your kid uses a pacifier, don’t dip it in any sweetener. Some dentists have taught this in the past and it is not a good idea!
8. You need to help a kid under age 6 years old do the brushing. Studies show that kids under 6 do not have the dexterity to do a good job. One great strategy if you have a kid who likes to do everything on their own, is to let them do it first on their won. Then say that it’s mommy or daddy’s turn. I know that there are kids who will fight you on brushing. No easy answer on how to do it.
9. Finally, the most important thing to realize is that kids learn the behavior they observe. So, the reality is your dental health is just as important as your kid’s. When was the last time you had your dental check up and cleaning?

Also, Here are just some of the ways we make you feel comfortable :

1. We will walk you through the entire procedure to make sure you know what’s going to happen.

2. We will tell you what to expect in terms of freezing – which a lot of people are most anxious about.

3. Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) is available if so desired to help you relax

4. We encourage you to bring an mp3 player to listen to your favourite music.

5. Finally, if you are very anxious, then we may prescribe a sedative.

When you are choosing a Dentist for Your Kids…
Which one of these 9 critical things do you want the most?

1) Your insurance covered electronically?

We will process your claim electronically and you will be reimbursed within a couple of days. We even will extend you 0% financing customized to your budget.

2) A good location

We are easy to get to: located right on Guelph St. (at the Delrex intersection) – Parking is free. We have patients come in from all over Georgetown , Halton and as far as Toronto because of our convenient location.

3) Your kids to have a fun experience and get healthy?

We welcome kids of all ages. We love hearing from kids and their parents how much fun they had at our office. There are TVs and an Xbox 360 for them to play to pass the time.  **At the bottom of this page are the 9 Secrets to Raising Cavity Free Kids.

4) To have your dentist care about you and make you feel good?

We will call you after your procedures to make sure everything is ok.

We will walk you through all of your procedures and fears so that you are comfortable

We care about your time as well. Thank you to everyone that compliments us on our short or NO waiting times.

You are in good hands...Emergencies are handled promptly no matter how busy we are.

And most importantly, we aim to make your visit as relaxing and enjoyable as possible

5) Availability around your hours?

We are available when you have an emergency and open bright and early 4 days a week (incl. Saturday for your convenience). Wednesday we are open until 8pm.

6) To ease your fears and help you, even if you are nervous?

If you fear coming to the dentist, you are not alone. Whatever your fear about coming to see us, let us know.

Just some of the ways we make you feel comfortable here:

1. We will walk you through the entire procedure to make sure you know what’s going to happen.

2. We will tell you what to expect in terms of freezing – which a lot of people are most anxious about.

3. Provide you soothing and comforting neck pillows

4. Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) is available if so desired to help you relax

5. We encourage you to bring an mp3 player to listen to your favourite music.

7) Sterilization of the equipment that will be used on you?

1. Instruments are first rinsed in water

2. They are placed in a disinfecting ultrasonic bath

3. After the bath, they are rinsed, dried, then sterilized in a STATIM steam autoclave.

4. Spore tests are done on the autoclave monthly to make sure that there is 100% sterilization.

5. Instruments such as handpieces that can’t be immersed in liquid are wiped with a surface disinfectant and are also placed in the STATIM steam autoclave.

6. Hard surfaces like countertops, hoses, etc. are wiped with a surface disinfectant twice – the first time to remove debris; the second, to disinfect.

8) Doesn’t make you feel bad for forgetting to floss or brush once in a while ?
We know it’s unrealistic to expect everyone to brush and floss everyday. If you forget once in a while, we understand. And that is why we won’t judge you and when you come in – we are here to help.

9) An experienced, friendly and courteous staff?
Dr. Corey Grossman, dentist in Georgetown, has been practicing over 15 years. All the staff at Still Waters Dental are friendly, respectful, and really enjoy what they do.

We are always friendly and laughing and will treat you with respect. Don’t you feel safer knowing that the dentist you have chosen has been keeping families like yours healthy for many years?