First contest Runs from May 15th 2013- June 30th 2013.

When Should A Child Start Using Toothpaste?

EVERY PARENT KNOWS THAT TAKING CARE OF THE SMALL MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY IS A FULL-TIME JOB. Along with diaper changes, bath time, and medical checkups, parents also need to take care of their children’s teeth. But what are the best ways to go about caring for teeth (and baby gums!) during those early years? Here are some of Dr. Shojaei’s thoughts on the matter…

Birth To 18 Months: No Toothpaste Required!

At Aurora and Smiles on Yonge Orthodontics we believe, like most dentists, that oral care is important to everyone—no matter what their age. Dr. Shojaei recommends that you begin cleaning your children’s teeth as soon as the teeth begin to come in. For babies younger than 18 months, the best way approach is to use a wet cloth or gauze—without toothpaste. Gently rub their teeth and gums with a cloth over your fingertip. This, along with nursing and/or drinking water, is all the oral hygiene that your child needs at the infant stage. Once your child has more of a “full set” of teeth, your can use a small, soft toothbrush to brush your child’s teeth with water.

When To Start Toothpaste? 18 Months

In general, children should not use toothpaste until they are at least 18 months old—and when you do start using toothpaste, make sure it is a safe “children’s toothpaste” made especially for young ones. Young children have different dental needs than grown-ups—and children’s toothpaste is made for this purpose.

What To Look For In A Children’s Toothpaste: SAFE TO SWALLOW: Most young children tend to swallow while brushing, rather than spitting out the toothpaste—so we recommend that your children’s toothpaste is formulated with this in mind.

When can my child use adult toothpaste?

At Aurora and Smiles on Yonge Orthodontics, we typically recommend switching to adult toothpaste with fluoride when your child is able to spit out most of their toothpaste after brushing. This usually happens around age 4-6. However, they should still only be using a “pea-size” amount.

REMEMBER: Brushing your child’s teeth is part of parenting, and you need to start at a young age. By taking the time each day—before bedtime and in the morning—to clean your child’s teeth with a specially formulated children’s toothpaste, you will be helping to create a lifetime of healthy dental habits and happy smiles!

Don’t forget to come in for regular checkups and cleanings so that your children’s teeth stay healthy and strong! Set up an appointment with us through our contact page or by calling our practice at 905.597.6453 (905.59.SMILE).

When you think of Braces what do you think? The traditional metal brace face headgear!  
Rest assured, that is not what braces look like in the modern days!

In Thailand, and increasingly in places like Indonesia and China, braces are becoming a huge teenage fashion statement. Which is pretty strange considering in the West, braces are ruthlessly stigmatized and pretty much a metaphor for adolescent awkwardness. In the countries mentioned above, however, braces are considered a sign of wealth, status, and style. The reasoning is fairly straightforward—genuine orthodontic braces are very expensive. In Bangkok, for example, a set of tinsel-teeth will cost you roughly $1200, a substantial sum for a country with a GDP of $345 billion (the US had a GDP of $15.06 trillion in 2011). So all the kids want to wear these things, because anything worn by the young and rich is obviously super cute. 
Like any other popular commodity that is both really expensive and "really cute," supply inevitably rises to meet demand. The market is now flooded with numerous knockoffs and fakes. In Indonesia, fashion braces—which are called kawat gigi untuk gaya or behel—will run you a mere $100. 

BUT...these "super cute" knock offs aren't very good for you, in fact they can even be fatal!

So far, fake braces have been linked to the deaths of two Thai teens. A pair of shoddy braces was blamed for the death of a 17-year-old in the northeast city of Khon Kaen from a thyroid infection, which rapidly progressed to fatal heart failure. Then, in Chonburi, police tied the death of a 14-year-old girl to braces purchased at an illegal open-air stall.

Here are our office not only can you get this Super trendy fashion metal on your teeth like everyone else, but also do it the safe way that has no risk to your teeth and well being. At Aurora and Smiles on Yonge Orthodontics you are under the care of a great professional Dr. Ali Shojaei, who monitors your treatment very closely every step of the way! Give us a call today, to book your Complimentary Consultation!

Have great looking Braces like these at our office!