Preventive Dentistry– Hamilton, ON

Oral Health Risk Assessment

At different ages, children are more susceptible to unique oral health problems. For example, a little one who is just beginning to brush their teeth on their own may be at a higher risk of dental decay. Dr. Rullo and our team at Hamilton Pediatric Dental Care conduct oral health risk assessments to help us better understand what problems we should keep an eye out for and help us make recommendations for parents to keep up with their little one’s oral health, like changing up their oral hygiene routine at home.

Teething

Does your infant seem to not be sleeping as soundly? Are they more irritable than usual? These are two of the most common signs that their first pearly whites are growing in and that they’re teething. It’s a huge milestone, and we want to make sure that you’re able to soothe their discomfort so you can get some rest yourself. Dr. Rullo is more than happy to make recommendations during your visit on how to quell teething discomfort, such as different teeth rings to use and gum-rubbing exercises.

Non-Nutritive Habits

It’s completely natural and healthy for infants to suck on pacifiers and their hands, but once your little one’s smile begins to develop, this habit could impact their growth by altering their bite alignment. Not only could this cause developmental barriers when it comes to eating and speaking abilities, but it will also likely cause your child to need orthodontic treatment as a teen. Dr. Rullo offers helpful tips and knowledge on when and how to start weaning your child from thumb-sucking.

Laser Frenectomies

Lip and tongue-ties are an increasingly more common problem diagnosed in babies due to the surge in parents breastfeeding, because one of the most common signs is difficulty latching while feeding. Dr. Rullo offers fast and precise laser frenectomies to help your little one regain the complete mobility of their lips and tongues, helping them breastfeed, eat, and speak more easily growing up. The soft tissue laser that he uses immediately cauterizes the area on-contact, minimizing risk of infection and drastically reducing any bleeding.

Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings

Our team recommends scheduling regular dental checkups and cleanings for children every six months as soon as their first tooth grows in (or by their first birthday). Dr. Rullo likes to take things slow by introducing them to the dental office, different instruments, and the team, so they feel more comfortable when they visit us down the road. Then, if they’re up to it, we’ll conduct a thorough checkup and cleaning in search of any common signs of oral problems and to keep their teeth healthy until their next visit.

Learn More About Pediatric Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings

Dental Sealants

Cavities are one of the most common oral health problems faced by children because they’re still learning how to effectively brush and floss their pearly whites themselves. To help protect their teeth from harmful bacteria, we offer dental sealants, which act as clear protective shields that we place over the biting surface of their molars. Once in place, they’ll prevent food debris and plaque from becoming wedged in the pits and grooves of their molars, making brushing more effective. 

Athletic Mouthguards/ Sportsguards

Does your child participate in athletics at their school? Do they love skateboarding, biking, and other activities that could put them at a higher risk of needing a trip to the emergency dentist? We offer custom-crafted, acrylic mouthguards that are customized to offer maximized protection of their teeth, gums, and jaw while they’re out on the field or court.

Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride is a naturally derived mineral produced by rocks. It can be found in local water sources as well, because many areas add it in an effort to curb cavity development in their communities. Fluoride has been shown to reduce dental decay by fortifying tooth enamel, which is the outermost protective layer of teeth. If we notice that your child may not be receiving enough of these minerals, we can place a fluoridated varnish on their teeth to help reduce their risk of cavity development.

Silver Diamine Fluoride Treatment

Silver diamine fluoride is an FDA-approved treatment used to slow down the progression and sometimes even stop the progression of cavities. If your little one has decay that needs to be treated, we’ll clear out any harmful oral bacteria and debris and brush the silver diamine fluoride liquid onto their tooth. It’s completely pain-free and doesn’t take long. Once the treatment is complete, we can decide to fill the tooth at a later date depending on your child's cooperation and treatment needs.