Children’s Dentistry

Your local Children’s Dentist Melbourne

Feeling comfortable with coming to the dentist and preventing problems are two of our top aims when caring for children at East Melbourne Dental Group. We focus on making it a pleasant experience which helps to maximise your child’s dental health for life.

When should I take my child for their first visit to the dentist?

Baby teeth are the foundations for the adult teeth that will follow so it makes good sense to start visiting your dentist once the baby teeth start erupting but no later than 3 years.

Often we suggest that little ones come along to a routine appointment that another family member is having and experience sitting in the chair and get used to sounds and smells, just to get them acquainted with it. Our dental therapists are highly experienced with children and have the extra time that some children may need to build that important relationship and the balloons and stickers don’t hurt either!

 What will happen on the first visit?

• A gentle but thorough examination of the teeth, jaw, bite, gums and oral tissues to monitor growth and development and observe any problem areas
• If indicated, a gentle cleaning, which includes polishing teeth and removing any plaque buildup or stains
• Discuss preventive techniques including fissure sealing of molar teeth and fluoride applications to help keep your children’s teeth free of disease
• A demonstration on proper home cleaning.

How often should my child visit the dentist?

Just like adults, we recommend regular 6 monthly check-ups. The check-ups will assess that the teeth are all growing correctly, are healthy and, will notify the dentist in the instance that there are more complex dental problems now or in the near future. With regular check-ups and good dental hygiene practices, they may never need major treatment down the track.

What is a fissure sealant?

Fissure sealants are a simple and effective way of protecting young teeth from decay. The grooves in children’s teeth are often one of the most difficult areas to keep clean. As the grooves lengthen, they may leave gaps or “fissures” in the tooth surface where bacteria can grow. These fissures can be difficult to reach with a toothbrush.

As a means of protecting the teeth, the dentist will clean thoroughly and then seal over the fissure with a plastic coating. The fissure sealant prevents any future bacteria from settling in the hard to reach places.

How can I protect my child’s oral health at home?

One of the best methods you can take at home is to lead by example. You will need to help your child brush their teeth until they are old enough to manage it themselves.

Once they are brushing on their own, a twice daily brushing habit with a soft tooth brush will help to keep them cavity free with healthy gums.