Caring for children’s teeth is a vital part of caring for their health.
When children are young, they will grow and develop very quickly, and the same goes for their teeth. Regular dental check-ups allow us to make sure their pearly whites are in tip-top shape
Children’s dentistry is mainly concerned with the prevention of decay in order to avoid further issues later on in life.
Did you know that baby teeth will lay the groundwork for adult teeth to come through? When your child’s baby teeth are healthy, it’s much easier for adult teeth to come in straight and healthy.
When you neglect baby teeth, it can cause them to fall out earlier than they should. This can cause a range of problems for your child like:
- Their teeth will move forward causing an overbite
- Baby teeth will shift and move around the mouth
- Speech problems
- Eating and chewing difficulties
When these issues happen, the permanent adult teeth will be more likely to grow in crooked and out of place. By maintaining the health of your child’s baby and adult teeth in the early stages of development, you can help prevent additional work in the future.
What happens on the first visit?
When you bring your child in for the first time, they will meet the dentist Dr Ian Odendaal and our oral health therapist and have an opportunity to get used to the dentist’s high-tech chair.
This first consultation is usually a visual inspection to make sure there’s nothing unusual with their teeth and gums. Dr Ian Odendaal will count your child’s teeth using the dental mirror. This is something we have found really fascinates and engages children.
Apart from an oral exam, we will assess your child’s development and identify any risk factors they may have for dental decay. We will also give you tips on what toothbrush and toothpaste to buy, foods and drinks to keep their tooth enamel strong and how to correctly brush and floss their teeth.
Tooth Fairy appointment
If your child is frightened of the dentist or it is their first dental visit, a Tooth Fairy appointment is the perfect opportunity to kick-start their dental health, it can take the anxiety of the dentist away by making it a fun experience. Our Tooth Fairy can explain the importance of taking care of their teeth, as well as help them stop sucking their thumb. At a Tooth Fairy appointment our oral health hygienist, Sarah, will be dressed as the Tooth Fairy to ensure your child’s first dental experience is one of a kind. They will receive a balloon, a gift pack, a certificate with a photograph with the Tooth Fairy.
How often should I bring my child to Lake View Dental?
Our team like to see children every six months. However, if we feel your child will benefit from more frequent checks then we can discuss this with you during their first visit. Regular check-ups help us keep a close eye on their developing dental health which can change quite quickly as they grow up. By letting us monitor them closely, we can pick up on any problems at an early stage, and before they cause any discomfort or pain to your child.
We try to make children’s visits as relaxing and fun as possible. Our experienced dental team encourages them to be interactive by showing them all the dental instruments and letting them know exactly what we are looking for and why.
Teaching oral hygiene to children
Children absorb information much easier at an early age. This is why it’s important to start a great oral hygiene routine for long-term oral health.
Setting up their effective oral hygiene routines now can greatly assist your child in the future by reducing their need for extensive dental services. When parents and dentists explain the purpose of regular dental appointments, children learn the importance of seeing the dentist and scheduling regular check-ups.
Your child can start to brush their own teeth as early as seven years old. However, keep in mind they will still need assistance to do an effective job. Flossing is also necessary at this age, but again much harder for children and you should floss a child’s teeth until the age of ten between regular six-monthly dental visits.
Child Dental Benefits Scheme (CDBS)
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) is a scheme run by Medicare that provides eligible children up to $1,000 over 2 calendar years to pay for a range of dental services.
If your child is eligible, the CDBS will cover dental services including examinations, routine cleaning, repairing cracked teeth, fillings and root canals. It doesn’t cover orthodontic treatment (such as braces) any dental work that needs to be done in hospital, or cosmetic dental procedures (such as replacing missing teeth).
Children’s Dentistry Kawana
Here at Lake View Dental, we will provide a relaxing and stress-free experience for you and your child. Our state-of-the-art office is equipped with the most advanced technology and equipment to ensure that you achieve high quality service and results.
Together we can make sure that your child has the healthiest smile possible.
To book an appointment, contact our friendly staff today.
Don’t forget to share this via Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Tumblr and Reddit.
