Dentistry for Children

It’s never too early to begin teaching your young ones good oral hygiene. From when their first teeth start to come through as babies and into their toddler years, we encourage parents to help their children brush and floss their teeth, all while making it fun. Pssst. Ask our children’s dentistry team to show you some play-based techniques to ensure it’s an enjoyable experience. 

While your children will require your assistance with brushing their teeth until they reach 7 or 8 years old, we recommend that you continue to supervise in the years to come. Also important to remember is that a well-balanced diet is also essential to ensuring healthier teeth from a young age. 

Although baby teeth eventually fall out, making way for adult teeth, it’s still extremely important to take good care of them. Why? Because if baby teeth need to be removed early due to decay, the loss of space can cause crowding issues when the permanent teeth erupt. Good oral hygiene for babies and toddlers is a crucial aspect of growing up.

Begin caring for your child’s baby teeth by brushing them twice a day for at least two minutes (try using an egg-timer to make it fun). Using a soft-bristled toothbrush your child only needs a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, keeping in mind that your child mustn’t swallow the toothpaste. 

Flossing is an essential part of your child’s dental routine as well. We recommend you assist them with this until the age of 9 or 10 when they have the dexterity to do this themselves. 

To develop strong teeth, your children need a healthy and balanced diet made up of fresh foods such as vegetables, fruit, cheese, and lean meats. We recommend you keep high-sugar treats to a minimum, including sweet drinks. Instead, we encourage your little ones to drink fluoridated tap water. 

We usually begin seeing toddlers at the age of 18 months. We find this is a really good age, where they get to know our team, become familiar with the clinical setting, and feel comfortable with the process. 

An important habit to form when they’re young, ensuring your child has regular dentist checkups will form part of their routine as they grow up. 

If you receive government benefits, such as Family Tax Benefit A payments, your child may be eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule. A program run by Medicare, the Child Dental Benefits Schedule covers up to $1,000 over two calendar years for basic dental services. 

We understand that dentistry for children can be a scary experience. However, there are ways to help your child cope with their nerves about going to the dentist. Firstly, it’s important to talk to your child about their concerns and explain what will happen during the visit. You can also bring along a favorite toy or book to help distract them and make the experience more enjoyable. We also recommend praising your child for their bravery and offering a small reward for their cooperation. Our friendly and experienced team will do everything we can to ensure that your child feels comfortable and at ease during their visit. Together, we can make dental visits a positive experience for your child and help them build healthy dental habits for life.