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Comfortable and quality children’s dentistry for our youngest patients.
Children should have their first basic mouth check around the time they turn two, with regular check-ups to follow. These help us recognise any early issues and treat small problems before they become more significant. We prefer to avoid significant treatment for kids unless it is absolutely necessary, letting them become comfortable with the practice before anything else. Our children’s dentist ensures a gentle and caring approach.
A paediatric dentist — more commonly referred to as a children’s dentist — is a specialist dentist trained to treat the oral health needs of young children. These dentists often complete a specialised course tailored to working with children. A specialist paediatric dentist will treat children from birth to adolescence, as well as some patients with special needs as they grow into adults.
At their first visit, our children’s dentist will get an understanding of your child’s medical history and find out if there are any issues that need to be addressed. An assessment of your child’s teeth and bite will occur, with the dentist observing how the teeth are expected to grow. Getting your children to the dentist earlier also helps them get to know the staff and understand that it doesn’t have to be a scary experience.
Your child’s first teeth typically begin to appear between 6 and 10 months, but they can appear slightly earlier or later in some cases. By the time a child has turned 3, they should have developed a full set of primary teeth — most commonly known as baby teeth. A full set is made up of 20 baby teeth. Regular visits to our kids dentist can help ensure these teeth stay healthy.
Children should see an orthodontic specialist around the time they turn 9. The orthodontist will do a thorough check of their jaw and teeth development, recognise and diagnose any issues that may exist, and begin formulating a plan to treat them. Early orthodontic treatments are a key part of children’s dentistry, focused on treating overcrowding, poor or incorrect bites, and any jaw growth problems.
At early visits, the dentist will educate you on the best way to brush your child’s teeth and follow up at home with good cleaning habits.
As soon as your child’s first tooth appears, brush it gently with a child’s toothbrush and water. Use only water until around 18 months, and from there use a pea-sized dab of low fluoride toothpaste until 6 years old. After 6, they can transition to a standard fluoride toothpaste.
Flossing is used to remove extra food particles or plaque that get stuck between teeth. As such, there is no reason to use floss on your child’s teeth until they have two teeth that are touching each other. This normally happens between the ages of 2 and 3, and it is always worthwhile checking with your child’s dentist first before beginning to floss.
It will take time for your child to develop the motor skills to sufficiently clean their own teeth. While they develop, you should brush their teeth morning and night in front of a mirror, so that they can observe what you’re doing.
Teaching kids about dental health is an important part of growing up. Beyond having regular check ups with a children’s dentist, there are a number of ways to keep your child’s teeth clean at home and prevent decay.
Teeth play a lifelong role for every person and require regular care to maintain their health. At Oakleigh Dental, we are committed to teaching your child that a trip to the dentist is nothing to fear, but a healthy and fun experience. Whether you need a general children’s dentistry check up or an emergency visit, we’re a paediatric dentist Melbourne can trust. Book in for your child’s visit today!
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