Pediatric Dentist Saskatoon

child visiting a pediatric dentist

Your child’s oral health matters. Their comfort matters. We know that, as a parent, you’re looking for a place where your child will feel safe and happy, all while receiving the best quality pediatric dentistry. 

The pediatric dentists at Dental House in Saskatoon are here to provide that space. We offer dental care for children of all ages, working diligently to ensure that their visits are fun and rewarding, all while providing early prevention and treatment their dental issues. We want your children to smile healthy!

At what age can my child start seeing a dentist?

Your child’s first visit to a pediatric dentist should be 6 months after their first tooth emerges or when they reach 1 year of age – whichever is sooner. 

You might be surprised to learn that your child should have their first visit so early in life – after all, they won’t even have all of their teeth yet! There are, however, a number of good reasons for your child to visit the dentist early:

  • Your dentist will be able to assess your at-home cleaning routine and give you pointers if they’ve noticed tartar buildup or other oral health problems.
  • Your child will learn that the dentist is a safe place to be and that pediatric dentistry helps them feel better.
  • Your dentist will be able to spot any early warning signs of oral health problems.

When do new teeth arrive?

A child’s first tooth will usually erupt before they’re a year old – the central incisors are usually the first teeth to emerge. It’s not unusual, however, for a different tooth to be the first to emerge. 

Below, we’ve included a chart*, which includes all of the typical time frames for primary (“baby”) teeth to emerge and fall out. Again, a slight deviation from this timeframe is nothing to worry about. Take your child to see a dentist at least once every 6 months – they’ll be able to tell you if there’s anything to be concerned about.

Upper Primary TeethWhen tooth emergesWhen tooth falls out
Central incisor8 to 12 months6 to 7 years
Lateral incisor9 to 13 months7 to 8 years
Canine (cuspid)16 to 22 months10 to 12 years
First molar13 to 19 months9 to 11 years
Second molar25 to 33 months10 to 12 years
Lower Primary TeethWhen tooth emergesWhen tooth falls out
Second molar23 to 31 months10 to 12 years
First molar14 to 18 months9 to 11 years
Canine (cuspid)17 to 23 months9 to 12 years
Lateral incisor10 to 16 months7 to 8 years
Central incisor6 to 10 months6 to 7 years

For those of you with older children, we’ve included a chart* for when permanent teeth will come in:

Upper Permanent TeethWhen tooth emerges
Central incisor7 to 8 years
Lateral incisor8 to 9 years
Canine (cuspid)11 to 12 years
First premolar (first bicuspid)10 to 11 years
Second premolar (second bicuspid)10 to 12 years
First molar6 to 7 years
Second molar12 to 13 years
Third molar (wisdom teeth)17 to 21 years
Lower Permanent TeethWhen tooth emerges
Third molar (wisdom tooth)17 to 21 years
Second molar11 to 13 years
First molar6 to 7 years
Second premolar (second bicuspid)11 to 12 years
First premolar (first bicuspid)10 to 12 years
Canine (cuspid)9 to 10 years
Lateral incisor7 to 8 years
Central incisor6 to 7 years
*Charts credit of Cleveland Clinic

What to expect when you visit

child undergoing pediatric dentistry procedure

On your child’s first visit, we’ll provide an exam to assess:

  • Your child’s risk of cavities
  • Potential harm done by habits like finger-sucking
  • Any potential problems, including issues with how your child’s teeth come together (bite)

We may also perform x-rays, though these are atypical for children under 2. We generally don’t do cleanings on the first visit unless absolutely necessary – we want your child to enjoy the experience, get to know our clinic as a safe, fun place to be and that pediatric dentristy is nothing to be afraid of! We’ll also give you pointers on cleaning your child’s teeth at home.

Caring for your child’s teeth

Taking care of your child’s teeth is simple. You should:

  • Brush your baby’s teeth and gums twice a day using water and a tiny bit of fluoridated toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice).
  • Start flossing your child’s teeth as soon as two teeth are touching.
  • Teach your child to spit out toothpaste when they’re around 2 years of age.
  • Take your child for regular dental visits, at least two per year.
  • Teach your children to brush independently, supervising them until they’re around 6-8 years old.

Visiting the dentist regularly is one of the most important parts of caring for your child’s oral health. Call Dental House today, and get the high-quality pediatric dental care that your child deserves.