Children’s Dentistry

Yes, as soon as their first baby teeth start to come through. When their teeth start to come through, you can then start cleaning them twice a day using the same method to wipe the front and back of each tooth. This will help to remove any trapped food and keep plaque and tooth decay at bay.

As soon as your child doesn’t mind, you can start cleaning with a small, soft toothbrush designed for children under two years. Only use water on the toothbrush until your child is 18 months old, unless otherwise directed by your dental professional.

After 18 months, you can then start to use a small amount of low-fluoride children’s toothpaste in their daily oral care routine.

Yes. As soon as your child’s baby teeth come through and fit closely together, it is important that you try to floss their teeth daily. This will help to remove any trapped food and keep plaque and tooth decay at bay. As your child develops dexterity, you can teach them the skills to be able to floss by themselves. Developing a healthy habit of flossing at an early age is a great way to establish a strong oral routine which can be continued when their permanent teeth come in.

Baby teeth are very important in ensuring your child’s facial development. Along with helping your child to eat, speak and smile, they also hold space for their jaw and adult teeth to develop.

Even before your baby’s first tooth comes through, you can start cleaning and caring for their gums. Simply dab their gum daily with a clean, damp face cloth or gauze.

When their teeth start to come through, you can then start cleaning them twice a day using the same method to wipe the front and back of each tooth.

As soon as your baby doesn’t mind, you can start cleaning with a small, soft toothbrush designed for children under two years. Only use water on the toothbrush until your child is 18 months old, unless otherwise directed by your dental professional.

After 18 months, you can then start to use a small amount of low-fluoride children’s toothpaste in their daily oral care routine.

Whether your child has a mouth full of teeth or just a few coming through, looking after your child’s mouth from an early age is essential for keeping their smile, bright and healthy. We recommend bringing your child in for their first visit within six months of their first tooth coming through or by the time that they turn two years old.

To find out more, please give us a call on 08 9440 4455 or request an appointment with one of our friendly dental professionals to schedule your child’s first dental visit today.

Although taking your child to the dentist is necessary for keeping their teeth and gums healthy, we understand that from their perspective, it can be quite a daunting and scary event. To make your child’s visit as comfortable as possible, their first appointment will usually be short and informal, where we will introduce ourselves and help them to feel comfortable and familiar with our practice. Depending on your child’s age and willingness, one of our dentists or hygiene therapists may also have a little look around in your child’s mouth to check for any decay and to make sure their teeth, gums, jaw and bite are all developing correctly.

You may wish to bring a list of questions to your child’s first appointment and one of our dental professionals will take some time to address any queries or concerns that you may have. We will also have a chat to you about establishing good oral hygiene and may clean your child’s teeth if there is any staining or cavities.

There are many things you can do to help your child’s first dental visit to be as relaxing and as stress-free as possible.  If your child is feeling particularly anxious, try reading them some picture books about visiting the dentist and doing some role play where they can be the dentist, examining and cleaning one of their toy’s teeth. There are many things you can do to help your child’s first dental visit to be as relaxing and as stress-free as possible.  If your child is feeling particularly anxious, try reading them some picture books about visiting the dentist and doing some role play where they can be the dentist, examining and cleaning one of their toy’s teeth.

Come prepared to your child’s dental appointment with comfort toys and sometimes, the promise of a trip to the playground or a yummy treat after their visit can help your child to stay focused on the positive.

Children are very perceptive so if you feel particularly stressed or anxious about visiting the dentist, then there’s a good chance they will too.  By remaining cool, calm and collected, you’ll be helping to set the same optimistic tone for your child.

The Child Dental Benefits Schedule provides basic dental to children between the ages of two and 17 years old. To be eligible, your child will need to be:

• Aged between two and 17 years old on any one day of the calendar year
• Getting certain government benefits for at least part of the calendar year and;
• Eligible for Medicare

To read more about the Child Dental Benefits Schedule and to check your child’s eligibility, please visit https://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/medicare/child-dental-benefits-schedule