There is nothing more important than our children’s health. We are passionate about seeing our young patients (and parents) leave Canberry Dental with a big smile on their faces.
Childhood dental habits establish the foundation for oral health during adulthood. By educating children about proper hygienic habits at an early age, parents and caregivers can set them up for a lifetime of good oral health.
A child’s first visit to the dentist should fall around their second and a half birthday.
By the age of three, most children have 20 teeth often referred to as baby teeth. Although these teeth will eventually fall out they are still susceptible to decay until that time. If the decay becomes big, it can be painful for the child, therefore the importance of prevention.
During childhood, the dentist will inspect the baby teeth for cavities and signs of decay, and ensure the teeth are erupting normally.
When the little ones visit us, our team makes them feel at home. We have a child-friendly waiting area with tablets and toys.
We offer a safe and playful environment for children creating a positive experience. The consultation includes an oral examination to ensure that both teeth and gums are healthy. With a lot of patience and kindness, we do a dental cleaning and fluoride application.
If we detect that a filling or extraction is needed, we have special techniques when treating young children. Sometimes they will need to get the tooth ‘numb’. We use numbing cream and some games to make them feel relaxed and then they don’t even notice they had the ‘needle’!
We encourage parents and caregivers not to use words like ‘needle’, ‘pain’, with their child as we will control the dental situation in a different and friendlier way.
The consultation is also a perfect space to clarify questions that parents or caregivers may have. And because the education of our patients is a priority, we also dedicate time to teach both children and parents, simple techniques for toothbrushing and oral hygiene.
As a parent or caregiver, it is important you control:
· Dummy usage
· Sending children to bed with bottles or sugary beverages
· Using fluoridated toothpaste before age two
We also recommend parents and caregivers apply a sealant to their child’s teeth. A sealant is a protective coating that we apply to the chewing surfaces (grooves) of the back teeth (premolars and molars), where four out of five cavities in children are found. It’s a simple and painless procedure. This sealant acts as a barrier to food, plaque and acid, thus protecting the decay-prone areas of the teeth.
Another great resource to maintain healthy teeth is applying fluoride. Fluoride is a natural mineral that supports healthy teeth. In newly erupted teeth is the important frequent application of fluoride. Little or no fluoride will not strengthen the teeth to help them resist cavities. However, too little or too much fluoride can be detrimental to the teeth. Because of that, we do fluoride applications at the dental practice after a good professional clean.
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) is a government program that gives access to up to $1000 in benefits to keep your kids’ teeth healthy on a range of dental services including examinations, routine cleaning, fillings, and root canal treatments.
To find more information and check if your child is eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) visit the Services Australia website.
