A parent and child arriving at the seesmile Dental Studio entrance

Children's dentistry

Kids' dentist in North York

Check-ups, cleanings and prevention for children.

Book your child's visit →Call (647) 474-7980

Kids' dentistry

We see children of all ages. If the dentist decides your child’s care can’t be completed in our studio, we refer you to a pediatric dentist. Our studio on Sheppard Avenue East, near Yonge and Sheppard, is open until 8 pm on weekdays, and on Saturdays, so most visits can fit around school.

Growing teeth

Why age 6 to 12 matters

Between about 6 and 12, children lose their baby teeth and their permanent teeth come in, starting with the first molars at around 6 or 7.1 These new back teeth have deep grooves where food and plaque collect, and they have to last a lifetime. It is a good time to build habits and to protect those teeth early.

A smiling boy in the dental chair at seesmile

Check-ups

What a kids' visit includes

  • A check-up: the dentist looks at each tooth, the gums, and how the permanent teeth are coming in.
  • A cleaning: removing plaque and tartar, with simple, age-appropriate tips for brushing.
  • X-rays when needed: only when the dentist decides they will help, not at every visit.
  • Prevention, when it fits your child's risk: fluoride varnish or sealants (see below).
  • A plain summary for you: what we saw, what we recommend, and what it costs, before any treatment.

Step by step

Going at your child's pace

We go step by step and explain each part before it happens. For children who need extra support, we offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas), the same light sedation we offer adults. Your child stays awake throughout. It has a separate fee, set according to the Ontario Dental Association (ODA) fee guide, and we tell you the fee first.

Prevention

Sealants and fluoride varnish

Sealants are a thin protective coating painted onto the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. In a Cochrane review, sealed teeth had less decay than unsealed teeth: roughly 11% to 51% less at two years, depending on the child's starting risk.2 The Canadian Dental Association recommends sealants based on each child's cavity risk, as part of a wider plan with fluoride, diet, hygiene and regular check-ups.3

Fluoride varnish is a fluoride coating brushed onto the teeth in a few seconds. In a Cochrane review, children who had varnish had about 43% fewer decayed, missing or filled surfaces on their permanent teeth.4

Not every child needs both. The dentist recommends them based on your child's teeth and history.

Sport

Sports mouthguards

Children who play contact sports such as hockey, soccer, basketball or rugby should wear a mouthguard. The Canadian Dental Association recommends a custom guard made by a dentist for children who play regularly, and a new one once a child outgrows the old one.5

Bite

Checking how the bite is developing

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check-up by age 7.6 We watch how your child's teeth and jaws are developing at each visit. If we see something worth treating, we explain the options and the timing, including braces or Invisalign when your child is older. Many children need no treatment at all.

Cavities

Fillings for children

If your child has a cavity, the dentist will explain it and the options.

At home

Habits that help at home

  • Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Keep checking your child's brushing for a while: the Canadian Dental Association links readiness to brush alone with being able to write their name, rather than a fixed age.7
  • Clean between the teeth once a day.
  • How often your child has sugar matters as much as how much. Keep sweets to mealtimes, avoid constant sipping of juice, and make water the drink between meals.8

Timing

How long a visit takes

A child's check-up and cleaning is usually one short appointment. Bring any questions about habits, teeth grinding, or sports.

Fees

Cost and insurance

  • Children's check-ups and cleanings are usually covered by family dental plans. We bill your insurance directly, so in most cases you pay only the part your plan does not cover.
  • We never charge more than the Ontario Dental Association (ODA) fee guide.
  • We accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). For covered care, you pay only your CDCP co-payment, or nothing if CDCP covers 100% of your child's care. We never charge the difference between the CDCP and ODA fee guides. See insurance, direct billing and CDCP.
  • Healthy Smiles Ontario: we do not accept this program. If your family has no access to dental insurance, your child may qualify for CDCP instead.9

Urgent problems

When to call us

Call (647) 474-7980 right away if your child has a knocked-out or broken permanent tooth, a toothache, or swelling in the face or gums. For a knocked-out permanent tooth, avoid touching the root and keep the tooth moist, for example in milk, then call us immediately.11 Call us and we'll see you at the earliest available appointment. See emergency visits.

Visiting seesmile

Visiting the studio

  • 175 Sheppard Avenue East, North York, near Yonge & Sheppard. About a 10-minute walk from Sheppard–Yonge station, with free underground parking.
  • Step-free access by elevator or ramp, helpful if you are bringing a stroller for a younger sibling.
  • Monday to Friday 9 am to 8 pm, Saturday 9 am to 4 pm, closed Sunday.
  • Our team speaks English, Farsi, Spanish and Tagalog.
  • Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is available for adults and children.
  • Patients come to our North York studio from across Toronto. We're a short trip on Line 1 (Yonge) and Line 4 (Sheppard).
The seesmile Dental Studio storefront, with a person at the entrance

Book your child's visit.

Book online → Call (647) 474-7980

Questions

Questions, answered.

We see children of all ages. If the dentist decides your child’s care can’t be completed in our studio, we refer you to a pediatric dentist.

Yes. Tell us when you book and we will try to schedule your visits together. Evenings and Saturdays are available.

Not always. Sealants help most on deep-grooved back teeth in children at higher risk of cavities. The dentist will recommend them based on your child's teeth.2,3

Grinding is common in children, and many outgrow it by their teens.10 Mention it at the check-up so the dentist can check for wear.

Not necessarily. We check how the bite is developing at each visit and will tell you if and when treatment is worth considering.

Yes, if the dentist agrees it suits your child. Nitrous oxide has a separate fee, set according to the ODA fee guide. See nitrous oxide.

No. If your family has no access to dental insurance, your child may qualify for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), which we accept.9

References

Sources

Related pages: Cleanings and check-ups · Family dentistry · Braces · New-patient visit

  1. Canadian Dental Association. Children's dental development. https://www.cda-adc.ca/for-the-public/understanding-your-oral-health/dental-care-children/development
  2. Ahovuo-Saloranta A, Forss H, Walsh T, Nordblad A, Mäkelä M, Worthington HV. Pit and fissure sealants for preventing dental decay in permanent teeth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2017, CD001830.pub5. https://www.cochrane.org/CD001830/ORAL_sealants-preventing-tooth-decay-permanent-teeth
  3. Canadian Dental Association. CDA position on pit and fissure sealants (revised 2018). https://www.cda-adc.ca/policy-and-advocacy/position-statements/position-statement/cda-position-on-pit-and-fissure-sealants
  4. Marinho VCC, Worthington HV, Walsh T, Clarkson JE. Fluoride varnishes for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 7, CD002279.pub2. https://www.cochrane.org/CD002279/ORAL_fluoride-varnishes-preventing-dental-caries-children-and-adolescents
  5. Canadian Dental Association. CDA position on prevention of traumatic oral/maxillofacial injuries (updated 2019). https://www.cda-adc.ca/policy-and-advocacy/position-statements/position-statement/cda-position-on-prevention-of-traumatic-oral-maxillofacial-injuries
  6. American Association of Orthodontists. Your child's first orthodontic check-up. https://www2.aaoinfo.org/aao-updates-your-childs-first-orthodontic-check-up/
  7. Canadian Dental Association. Cleaning children's teeth. https://www.cda-adc.ca/for-the-public/understanding-your-oral-health/dental-care-children/cleaning
  8. Canadian Dental Association. Nutrition for children. https://www.cda-adc.ca/for-the-public/understanding-your-oral-health/dental-care-children/nutrition
  9. Government of Canada. Canadian Dental Care Plan: do you qualify (modified 2026-09-22). https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/dental/dental-care-plan/qualify.html
  10. American Dental Association, MouthHealthy. Teeth grinding. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/teeth-grinding
  11. American Dental Association, MouthHealthy. Dental emergencies. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/dental-emergencies
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