Dental care for kids

What happens when my child visits the dentist?

Your child's visit to the dentist is a very important apart of their life. It helps to introduce healthy habits and helps to educate your children how to take care of their smile over their lifetime.  All patients are recommended to visit the dentist every 6 months for an examination and clean.

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Very young children (0-6 years)

• may only go for a ride in the chair on their first visit depending how compliant they are

• the clinician will count all the teeth with your child

• we have a look at all the teeth to make sure there are no problems 

• we may clean the teeth if the child allows

• we may take x-rays if we find anything suspicious

• we will teach your kids how to brush

• we place topical fluoride on for all our medium-high risk caries patients to help prevent cavities

• if your child does not respond well, we would like for them to return at least a few more times so that they get familiar with the setting

• we give them a small prize at the end of the appointment to thank them for their attendance and cooperation

• we like to give your child a positive experience so it is important to build trust and rapport with the child so that they will happily see a dental office in the future when they are adults
   

Young children (7-12 years

• children this age respond fairly well to dental visits

• your child may have an exam, clean or x-rays depending on what treatment they need that day

• we like to talk our patients through the treatment to give them peace of mind

• we give them a small prize at the end of the appointment to thank them for their attendance and cooperation

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Teenagers (13-17 years)

• teenagers usually have most of their adult teeth through the mouth, at this stage it is crucial for children to learn to take care of their teeth as they transition into adulthood in the coming years.

• Routine appointments will include check-up, clean, remineralisation (fluoride) treatment and x-rays if necessary

• we stress the importance of brushing and flossing, and teach your child how to brush properly

What should I look out for when checking my child's teeth?

Some things to look out for when checking your child's teeth are

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• bleeding when brushing

• dark spots on teeth

• holes in teeth

• ulcer/bubble next to tooth

• calculus (hardened plaque that appears yellow and hard)

• crowding/crooked teeth

• check if they are brushing well by seeing if their teeth a smooth or furry and covered in plaque

• parents should make sure their children brush their teeth twice a day, after breakfast and before bed time. It is recommended for parents to brush after the child does to  make sure the teeth are clean from plaque as very young patients do not have the dexterity to do a thorough clean (children 8 years and under)

When should I take my child to the dentist?

It is recommended for children to have their first dental appointment at 1 years old. The reason for this is, our dental practitioners can have a chat with the parent about brushing habits and eating/drinking habits. If the child allows, we may also be able to have a look at all their teeth. Taking your child to the dentist while they are young has many benefits:

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• the child does NOT develop a dental phobia

• we can prevent any invasive treatments for the child

• we can catch any problems earlier to manage it well

• the child develops good oral hygiene habits from an early age to carry with them to adulthood

• your child can learn all about taking care of their teeth

How to prepare for your child's appointment

If it is their first time, you could let your child know that someone will be checking and looking at their teeth to make sure everything is stable. For very young patients, practising how to open their mouth is a good activity to have them ready for their appointment. Avoid telling your child about any sharp instruments or needles if possible as it can instill fear into the child. Our clinicians are very gentle and friendly and endeavour for pain free dentistry.

How often should I take my child to the dentist?

Depending on their risk assessment, for patients that have immaculate teeth ; go once a year. The recommendation is 6 monthly visits (twice a year) to have their teeth checked, checking for cavities, abnormal eruption of teeth, crowding, infections, pathology, checking their bite, checking their tonsils/airway and more.

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Recommendations:

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• twice a year (6 monthly visits)