Danforth Children's Dentistry is a state-of-the-art children's dental practice in the heart of Toronto's vibrant Danforth community! Our practice is committed to delivering quality dental care tailored specifically for children.

Our certified specialists in paediatric dentistry, are passionate about ensuring your child's dental journey is comfortable, enjoyable, and, hopefully cavity free! From preventive care to specialized treatments, we're here to nurture your child's dental well-being every step of the way!

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Our Philosophy

Danforth Children’s Dentistry is specifically designed with children in mind and it is our mission to provide a warm and nurturing dental home for every child.

Our focus at Danforth Children’s Dentistry is the prevention of dental cavities. We would like your child to have an ongoing relationship with us so that we can assess their cavity risk over time, provide anticipatory guidance on oral health care, and implement preventive strategies to foster a cavity-free childhood.

Your child’s oral health is integral to their general health. At Danforth Children’s Dentistry, we believe that a child should establish a dental home no later than age one. This is supported by the Canadian Paediatric Society as well as the Canadian Dental Association.

We look forward to meeting you and your child!
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Preventive Care

Preventive care usually begins when the first tooth erupts and no later than age one.  The earlier the dental visit, the greater the chance that your child has a cavity-free childhood.

After evaluating your child’s dietary history,dental health and cavity risk, we will suggest a program of oral home care techniques, dietary guidance and fluoride use for your child. This will lay the foundation for good oral health.

Cleanings and fluoride treatments may also be a part of your child’s preventive program. Other preventive strategies may include sealants of primary and permanent teeth, fabrication of mouth-guards to prevent traumatic and sporting injuries to the teeth and surrounding tissues, as well as early diagnosis of future orthodontic needs.

A personalized oral health care program will lay the foundation for future healthy habits.
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Age One Visit

It is recommended by the Canadian Paediatric Society and the Canadian Academy of Paediatric Dentistry that children have their first dental check-up no later than their first birthday.

This first dental visit at age one is a pivotal moment in your child’s dental care journey. It lays the foundation for lifelong oral health habits. This visit holds significant importance for several reasons.
Firstly, it affords us, the paediatric dentist, the opportunity to evaluate your child’s oral health comprehensively and detect any potential issues early on. This includes assessing your child’s susceptibility to cavities, tracking their growth and development, and screening for dental cavities and other oral health concerns.
Secondly, the age one visit serves as a prime occasion for us to educate you, the parent, on proper oral hygiene practices. We provide guidance on techniques for cleaning your child’s teeth and gums, offer nutritional advice, and discuss the role of fluoride and other preventive measures in maintaining oral health.
Lastly, this initial visit fosters a positive and comfortable rapport between your child and our team. Establishing a friendly and engaging relationship with the paediatric dentist and hygienist early on can help alleviate any apprehensions or anxieties your child may harbour about future dental visits.
In essence, the age one dental visit serves as a crucial stepping stone in promoting optimal oral health and ensuring a positive dental experience for your child in the years to come.

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Digital Dental Radiography

Dental radiographs at Danforth Children’s Dentistry are only taken after a thorough review of your child’s medical and dental history and after performing a careful visual examination.

Dental radiographs (e.g. X-rays) are required if the visual examination did not provide enough information to accurately diagnose decay or other dental conditions associated with your child’s teeth.

A child’s mouth develops more rapidly than an adult mouth and the baby teeth are far more susceptible to dental decay than adult teeth. It is for these reasons that children require radiographs more frequently than adults. Children at high cavity risk may require radiographs as often as every six months to detect dental decay. Children at low risk for dental decay may require X-rays as often.

At Danforth Children’s Dentistry, we are particularly concerned about the exposure of patients to radiation. We have appropriate safeguards such as lead aprons with thyroid collars and utilize a digital system for intra-oral radiography. Our digital radiographic system provides a reduction in radiation compared to conventional radiographs. You can be assured that your child is receiving only the necessary and minimal amount of radiation exposure if dental radiographs are required.

 

Dental cavities progress much faster in children, therefore dental radiographs represent a far smaller risk than undiagnosed dental problems.
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Silver Diamine Fluoride

Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is a liquid made of silver, fluoride, and ammonia. SDF has been used for a long time in many parts of the world to stop tooth decay. It is now becoming popular in the United States and Canada as a gentle way to treat early cavities.

SDF is painted onto the cavity with a small brush or a spongy floss (e.g. Superfloss) for cavities in between the teeth. It sits on the tooth for at least one minute to get rid of the bacteria that cause the cavity and to make the remaining tooth stronger to stop the decay from spreading.
Your dentist might suggest using SDF if you have a cavity. It is great for kids who are nervous about getting dental work done or those with medical issues that make traditional treatments risky.
But there are a few things to know about SDF. It can turn the cavities on your teeth black, so it might not be suitable for every cavity. Also, while it can sometimes stop cavities from getting worse, it can’t fix the damage already done to your tooth. So, if you have larger cavities, you might still need fillings or crowns.
Overall, SDF can be a helpful tool for dentists to treat early cavities and keep decay from spreading, but it is not a solution for all cavities.

 

SDF gets rid of the bacteria causing the cavity and strengthens the remaining tooth to prevent the decay from spreading.
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Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide is a safe and effective way of providing dental treatment to your child.

We choose to work in a paediatric dental setting because we love children. We recognize each child is different and would like to customize the delivery of dental care according to their needs.

Some children may need more than a nurturing environment in order to feel comfortable during dental treatment. Nitrous oxide sedation is utilized at Danforth Children’s Dentistry to reduce fear and anxiety that your child may have about the appointment and thereby facilitate cooperation during dental treatment.

Nitrous oxide is also beneficial in pain management and works well for children whose gag reflex interferes with dental treatment.

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Restorative Care

Restorative care plays a vital role in paediatric dentistry, aiding in the repair and restoration of teeth affected by decay or injury. Within our paediatric dental practice, we offer an array of restorative treatments aimed at providing functionality to teeth compromised by trauma or the caries process. Among the services offered are zirconia ceramic (white) crowns, stainless steel (silver) crowns, and white fillings.

Zirconia (white) crowns are crafted from a tooth-colored ceramic material, whereas stainless steel crowns are fashioned from a durable metal alloy. Both types of crowns serve to rehabilitate decayed or damaged teeth and restore the natural tooth structure. Engineered to withstand the demands of daily use, these crowns ensure lasting durability in your child’s mouth.
White fillings, also known as composite resin fillings, are utilized for repairing small to medium-sized cavities. The filling material is meticulously applied to the prepared tooth area after cavity removal and contoured to harmonize with the natural tooth contours. Ideal for children seeking both functional restoration and aesthetic preservation, white fillings maintain the function and appearance of their original teeth.
Within our paediatric dental clinic, our unwavering dedication lies in delivering top-tier restorative care to our young patients. We recognize the significance of fostering healthy dental habits and assisting children in cultivating oral hygiene practices that will endure a lifetime.

We offer white crowns, stainless steel crowns and white fillings among the services.
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Oral Sedation

Oral sedation with nitrous oxide is a technique to direct a child’s behaviour during dental treatment.

Medications are utilized in conjunction with nitrous oxide to alleviate anxiety or distress associated with dental procedures. This treatment modality may allow children to become less anxious or drowsy but does not render them unconscious.

This form of treatment is usually indicated when a child is extremely apprehensive or requires extensive dental treatment. We will take the necessary measures to ensure the safety and well-being of your child during dental procedures. A medication combined with nitrous oxide may facilitate this as well as promote a child’s acceptance of dental treatment.

Medications in conjunction with nitrous oxide are utilized to reduce anxiety or discomfort during dental procedures
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General Anaesthesia

General anaesthesia is a medical procedure that induces a deep sleep-like state in your child, facilitating medical interventions without pain or discomfort. Typically, it is recommended for cases necessitating extensive treatment, for children exhibiting extreme fear or anxiety, and for those with special health care needs.

The primary advantage of general anaesthesia is that your child will be asleep throughout the dental procedure and will have no memory of the procedure. Moreover, all required treatments can be efficiently administered within a single appointment.
At Danforth Children’s Dentistry, we offer general anaesthesia services within our office and at Michael Garron Hospital. Our team of medical anaesthesiologists maintains staff affiliations with Michael Garron Hospital and upholds the highest standards of care for children undergoing surgical procedures.
The anaesthesia team at Michael Garron Hospital is affiliated with the University of Toronto and actively participates in the education and training of future anaesthesiologists through the University of Toronto residency program. Additionally, they contribute to the education of medical students, dentists specializing in anaesthesia/sedation, and emergency room physicians.

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Interceptive Orthodontics

A baby tooth is supposed to be in a child’s mouth until its adult tooth replaces it.

Sometimes a child may lose a tooth too soon due to trauma or dental disease.  If a tooth is lost too early, a space maintainer may be recommended to prevent space loss and thereby minimize future orthodontic problems.

Space maintainers hold the space left by the lost tooth. It stabilizes the surrounding teeth and prevents the adjacent teeth from drifting into the space of the lost tooth.

 

A space maintainer is usually worn by the child until the adult tooth appears in the mouth
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Children with Special Needs

We understand that children with special health care needs are unique. We have experience in providing individualized dental care to these patients.

Children with special health care needs (SHCN) may be more susceptible to oral disease due to their condition and require oral health care of a specialized nature. We have experience in providing dental care to patients with SHCN such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy. A child with SHCN can also include patients with Amelogenesis Imperfecta, Dentinogenesis Imperfecta and oral cancer.

Children with SHCN should keep healthy teeth and gums since it is an integral part of their general health and well-being. We are dedicated to providing the best dental care to this special population.

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Emergency Care

Your child’s risk for dental injuries can be greatly reduced by following a few suggestions.

Always ensure that your child is wearing protective gear including a mouth guard during sports to prevent injury.

Child-proof your home to prevent falls as well as electrical injuries.

Always use a car seat for young children and require that everyone else wears a seatbelt while in the car.

What to do about a knocked-out baby tooth?

Contact us as soon as possible. Please note that baby teeth should not be replanted because of potential subsequent damage to the permanent tooth and poor prognosis of the knocked-out baby tooth.

What to do about a knocked-out permanent tooth?

The faster you replant the knocked-out permanent tooth, the greater the chance you have of saving the tooth.

  1. Find the tooth and rinse it gently in cool water. Please do not clean the tooth with soap or scrub tooth.
  2. If possible, replant the tooth in the socket immediately. Once you have placed the tooth in the socket, hold it there with a washcloth and get to our office immediately.
  3. If you are unable to replant the tooth, place the tooth in cold milk or saliva and get to our office immediately.
What to do about a severe blow to the head or jaw fracture?

This requires immediate medical attention. A severe head injury can be life-threatening. At this point, your child’s teeth are secondary until they are medically stable.

What to do about a toothache?

Please call us as soon as this occurs. Over-the-counter pain medications, such as Children’s Tylenol or Advil, can be given in appropriate doses according to your child’s age and weight to alleviate discomfort.

 

What to do if a dental emergency occurs after office hours?

Please contact the paediatric dental resident on-call at the Hospital for Sick Children through the hospital switchboard at 416-813-7500 if your child’s dental emergency has occurred after hours.