Children’s dental care differs significantly from adult dental care, with factors such as age, cognitive development, and personality type all playing a role. It can be strange going to the dentist for the first time. That is why it is critical to make the experience as pleasant as possible, so that going to the dentist does not cause worry.
We recommend that parents begin introducing their children to professional dental care when they are three years old. It’s important to instil healthy oral hygiene habits in children from an early age, forming behaviours that will lead to long-term dental health.
As a child grows, tooth decay becomes common, who face a wide range of dental issues. The milk teeth will fall out eventually, but the permanent teeth will require extra care. If a child’s dental hygiene is ignored, he or she will be forced to go through painful surgeries and treatments.
First Visit to Dentist
Often, a dentist will see a child for the first time around the age of three. During this time, the child’s first tooth will start coming up.
The dentist will perform a dental examination wherein the child is taught ways to brush his or her teeth. In this phase, the parents should accompany their children on their first visit to the dentist, as they will be advised on how to care for their child’s teeth.
Children should have regular dental check-ups, at least every six months.
If any problems are detected, the dentist will be able to treat them straight away. Early treatment of dental problems is always preferable to long-term treatment.
As a responsible parent, you should ensure that your child has healthy teeth and gums. Frequent dental visits at an early age help to prevent any dental problems from arising in the future.
Our Baby-to-Child Dentist Checklist:
Taking care of your child’s baby teeth and gums is the first step toward a healthy smile.
Every parent should be aware of the following five dental care requirements:
- Cleaning your infant’s gums:
During bedtime, clean your baby’s gums with gauze. This should’ve been done before your child’s first tooth grows.
- First baby’s dental check-up:
Make an appointment for your child’s first dental visit before he or she turns one, or as soon as the first tooth appears.
- Brush your little one’s teeth:
Brush your child’s infant teeth with a little soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.
- Floss your infant baby’s teeth:
When two baby teeth erupt at the same time, floss them lightly once a day.
- Wean your baby from the bottle:
Inquire with your dentist about the right time to wean your child from nursing. Wean your infant from the bottle by the age of one if he or she is bottle-fed.
Child Dental Benefits Schedule:
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) is a dental benefits scheme for children aged 0 to 17 years old who are eligible. It offers the child up to $1026 in benefits for two years, which can be used to pay for check-ups, fillings, and other basic dental care.
The CDBS is accepted by most public and private dentists.
When scheduling an appointment, inform your dentist that you wish to use the CDBS and inquire about the number of funds available under your CDBS cap.
All public dentists and certain private dentists bulk bill under the CDBS, which means they will collect the benefit directly from Services Australia and you will not be responsible for any out-of-pocket expenses.
Eligibility for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule:
- 0 to 17 years old for at least one day during the calendar year
- Eligible for Medicare.
- You or your child need to be eligible for Medicare and receive payment at least once a year.
Teeth cleaning tips for kids:
In this section, we will talk about amazing cleaning tips for your child.
- Choose your child’s toothbrush:
A soft toothbrush is perfect for your child’s comfortability. There are many toothbrushes created specifically for children with soft bristles and fun designs. As a preferable option, go for an electric toothbrush, as they give you good results apart from the manual ones.
Post usage, place the toothbrush upright in an open container, allowing it to dry between cleans.
- Toothpaste for Kids:
When it comes to toothpaste, go for one that is low in fluoride and has xylitol. Cavity-fighting toothpastes can contain too much fluoride for children and can be dangerous if they swallow more than the recommended amount.
Xylitol is a natural sweetener found in birch trees and other plants. It helps to fight cavities by reducing the bacteria’s ability to stick to teeth.
It is also important to avoid sugary toothpastes and pastes with high acid levels as these can damage your child’s teeth over time.
- Steps to clean your child’s teeth:
Cleaning your child’s cute little mouth can be a daunting task, but it is necessary to introduce a two-minute cleaning plan at an early age.
This process will not only remove plague but creates a positive routine in your child. It’s quite easier to stand behind your child during the cleaning process. Tilt their back slowly and start brushing their inner and outer parts of their teeth and gums, ensuring both sides are thoroughly cleaned.
Next, brush forward and backward, helping you to remove any food stuck on the biting edges of the teeth. Pressure needn’t be applied as plague withdraws easily when teeth are brushed frequently. You might damage the gums due to undue pressure.
The final procedure is to brush your little one’s tongue gently. When using toothpaste, your child does not need to rinse after spitting out because the small quantity of fluoride left behind will safeguard their developing teeth.
Most children can begin brushing their own teeth at the age of seven. An adult, on the other hand, should constantly double-check that the teeth have been completely cleaned and that all food and plaque have been removed.
You can also use this time to look for evidence of calculus (calculus that occurs when plaque is ignored) and decay.
FAQ’s
Ques: At what age should a child start visit to the dentist?
Ans: The first dental visit is advised for children from 6 months to 12 months.
Ques: Why choose new smiles dental?
Ans: New smiles dental is the perfect destination for your dental problems.
The organization’s qualified and experienced professionals offer exquisite dental services, meeting your budget and requirements.
You will have an array of dental services that start from the check-up, crown, root canal, bridge, and dental implants.