Maintaining the oral health of your young ones with dentistry for children
At Iris Dental, the experienced team prides themselves in offering dentistry for children. We believe in starting their oral health path early to prevent any issues from occurring. Learn how we maintain your child’s good oral hygiene.
What is Involved?
Regular Check Ups
Here at Iris Dental, we work with you and your child to help you understand how important good oral health is, and how the condition of baby teeth can affect the future development of their teeth.
We recommend that you bring your child in as soon as teeth start to appear. This way we can provide advice on how to clean baby teeth. Once more teeth begin to come through, we can start to show you and your child the correct ways to floss and brush, while also providing advice on the correct toothpaste to use.
A typical checkup usually involves:
- A full scale and clean of the teeth
- Evaluating the health of the gums
- Provide advice for correct cleaning techniques
At the end of the checkup, we will provide your child with their own take-home care pack, which contains a toothbrush, paste, and floss.
Not only is attending regular check-ups important, but they are also as important as maintaining excellent oral health at home.
Here are a few tips:
- Assist your child with brushing and flossing – making sure that you show them the correct technique
- Making sure your child brushes at least twice a day
Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontic treatments are excellent for solving a wide range of correction and alignment issues.
One of the most commonly asked questions is “When should my child get braces?”. Ultimately, the ideal time is when all their adult teeth have come through and there are no signs of wisdom teeth erupting within the near future. This is important, because if teeth removal is required after orthodontic treatment, it can sometimes cause the teeth to go out of alignment.
Mouthguards
Playing sports is one of the main thing’s children like to do. But sports-related teeth problems are a regular occurrence and damage could have been prevented by wearing a dental quality mouthguard. A mouthguard just doesn’t cover the teeth, it applies for support and protection around the jaw region to prevent any damage or injury from occurring.
Why is dentistry for children important?
Bringing your child in for regular check-ups is an excellent way to maintain oral health as well as preventing problems from occurring. These problems include plaque, cavities and gum disease.
Poor oral health can also lead to other conditions including tooth loss.
Children’s Dentistry at Iris Dental
If you are looking at beginning your child’s dentistry experience, but don’t know where to start, contact us and one of our experienced team members will discuss the process in more detail.
Iris Dental in Point Cook aims to provide the highest quality dental care in our state-of-the-art dental clinic. Your dental health, wellbeing and comfort are the most important things to us.
Children’s Dentistry FAQs
How to teach kids to brush their teeth?
One of the best methods is to begin by brushing your kids’ teeth for them when they’re really young and then eventually letting them brush themselves with your guidance.
There are several different kids’ apps made to help them brush their teeth like Disney timer apps, brushing calendars, and sticker album for rewarding brushing their teeth.
When do kids lose baby teeth?
Kids typically will start losing their baby teeth at age 6. The first teeth they lose are usually one of the front teeth either on the top or the bottom. They will continue to lose baby teeth until about age 12, when they finally lose their molars.
How long should kids brush their teeth for?
Kids should brush their teeth twice per day, for two minutes. Their teeth must be brushed as much as adults should, to prevent cavities and decay.
When should my child have their first dental visit?
Your child should have their first dental visit by their first birthday or within six months after their first tooth comes in, whichever comes first. Early dental visits help ensure your child’s teeth and gums are healthy and provide a foundation for good oral hygiene habits.
What should I use to clean my baby’s teeth?
To clean your baby’s teeth, use a soft, baby-sized toothbrush with a small smear of fluoride toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice). For infants without teeth, you can use a clean, damp cloth to gently wipe their gums. Make sure to brush their teeth twice a day, especially after feeding and before bedtime.
What actions should I take if my child has a toothache?
If your child has a toothache, start by rinsing their mouth with warm water to clean it. Gently floss around the affected tooth to remove any food particles. You can apply a cold compress to the outside of their cheek to reduce swelling and numb the pain. If necessary, give them an appropriate dose of a child-friendly pain reliever. Avoid giving them very hot, cold, or sugary foods and drinks. Finally, schedule an appointment with their dentist as soon as possible to diagnose and treat the underlying issue.
What are the benefits of fluoride treatments for children?
Fluoride treatments offer several benefits for children’s dental health. Fluoride helps to strengthen tooth enamel, making teeth more resistant to decay caused by acid and bacteria. It can also reverse the early stages of tooth decay before cavities develop. Additionally, fluoride treatments can reduce tooth sensitivity and promote remineralisation of teeth, which is crucial for maintaining overall oral health. Regular fluoride applications, either in-office or through fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinses, are recommended as part of a comprehensive preventive dental care routine for children.
What should parents do if their child knocks out a tooth while playing sports?
If a child knocks out a tooth while playing sports, it’s essential to act quickly and appropriately. First, locate the tooth if possible and handle it only by the crown (top part), avoiding touching the root. Rinse the tooth gently with milk or saline solution if it’s dirty, but do not scrub it or remove any attached tissue fragments. Try to reinsert the tooth back into its socket, ensuring it faces the correct way. If reinsertion isn’t possible, store the tooth in milk or the child’s saliva (not water) and seek immediate dental care. Time is critical for saving the tooth, so prompt action increases the chances of successful reattachment.
What should parents do if their child complains of tooth sensitivity or pain?
Tooth sensitivity or pain in children can indicate various dental issues, such as tooth decay, cavities, or sensitivity due to enamel erosion. If a child complains of tooth sensitivity or pain, parents should schedule a dental appointment promptly. In the meantime, they can offer their child over-the-counter pain relievers appropriate for their age and avoid foods or drinks that could exacerbate sensitivity, such as hot, cold, or sugary items. It’s crucial not to ignore dental pain, as early intervention can prevent the progression of dental problems and maintain the child’s oral health.