At our friendly practice, we love helping children of all ages achieve and maintain healthy and beautiful smiles. We are also passionate about ensuring that kids feel comfortable when they’re here, so they know that going to the dentist is a positive experience.
One of the best ways to help your child feel comfortable is by bringing them to your own dental appointments, so they become familiar with our welcoming setting and caring team before they become a patient.
How We Put Kids at Ease
If your child feels nervous about seeing the dentist, Monica, our oral health therapist, uses desensitising tactics, such as introducing dental elements gradually. She’ll refer to items that kids are familiar with, such as a polisher as being like an electric toothbrush. “We can first use the polisher on their finger before using it on their teeth,” she said.
At our practice, we make it a point to ease children into their dental care. To make visits fun, we talk about the tooth fairy and use terms such as sleepy juice, for example, as opposed to local anaesthetic.
Your Child’s First Exam
As it’s always advisable to take a preventative approach to care, we recommend parents bring their child into the practice by about 2 years of age for their first exam.
This visit may include a full examination of their teeth, gums, and oral tissues to evaluate growth and development. During this appointment, we may also perform a gentle cleaning.
Kid-Friendly Teeth Brushing Tips
By making teeth brushing fun for your child, they’ll look forward to it, instead of viewing it as a chore. Here are some tips:
- Lie them down like you would in a dental chair, so on the sofa at home, and brush their teeth in this reclined position.
- To make it a fun experience for your little one, consider putting a timer on, or even playing your child’s favourite song to encourage them to brush for the entire two minutes.
- For older children, let them have a turn themselves, then check their teeth afterward to ensure they brushed well.
- We recommend supervising the brushing until your child reaches age 9.
Keeping Your Child’s Smile Healthy for Years to Come
From preventative cleans to protective dental sealants, our goal is to help your child avoid tooth decay and have a bright and healthy smile that will last years into adulthood.
Contact us today to book an appointment for your child. We accept the CDBS.
* Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.