Dentistry and Children

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When should your child make their first visit to the dentist? - The Australian Dental Association recommends that a child should have their first visit to the dentist when their first tooth appears, or by the time they are 12 months old.  Often, it is difficult to carry out an examination on a very young child, but it is essential to make sure everything is going well with cleaning, diet, development, etc.  Some children are cooperative at the age of 2, while some are not so cooperative even at 5 or 6 years of age.  Here at Dental Wisdom, we believe that your child should have had their first dental visit at least by the age of 3.  

Because prevention is better than the cure, it is important to begin having regular dental visits to protect your child from tooth decay and also instilling in them, a good lifelong habit of visiting the dentist regularly.  We wish to make your child's first dental experience a pleasant one and of great excitement.  We do not want their first visit to the dentist to be when they are in pain, need a filling or from a fall, etc. because this may result in your child to have a negative association with the dentist and/or dental visits.
 
It is another childhood milestones to tick off.  It may also be a little scary for your child and you.  Children can pick up on your anxiety, so it is important that you focus on making this a positive experience for them.  You can say things such as 'you are going to go for a ride in the dentist's chair', or you can 'play dentist' at home with your child before the appointment.  Do not use going to the dentist as a deterrent or a threat by saying things like 'if you don't brush your teeth, the dentist will pull them out', this will only strengthen any fear your child may have.  We want your child to have fun and positive experience, but it starts with you.
 
What happens on the first visit? - Your child gets a chance to meet Dr David Hua and his team.  This visit is to develop a friendly relationship and allow them to be familiar with the general environment and noise.  We will endeavour to make their experience 'fun' rather than 'clinical', going for rides on the dental chair, check out the dental equipment we will be using and count the child's teeth.  David will discuss such things as your child's bite (how the teeth come together), correct brushing technique, diet, tooth decay, habits such as thumb sucking or sucking a pacifier and how to prevent any potential dental problems.  Treatment is kept to an absolute minimum and is geared towards prevention.
 

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Fissure Sealants

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All molar and premolar teeth have grooves, which are called Fissures. Occasionally, canines and incisors also have these grooves. In some cases, these grooves can be quite deep and therefore are susceptible to becoming food traps. Food that is trapped and is left for a long period of time can eventuate into a cavity. To prevent dental decay from occurring, a Fissure Sealant may be required to be placed over the tooth to seal these deep grooves. Fissure Sealants are often plastic coatings (but sometimes may be of a Glass Ionomer Cement) and do not usually require any drilling of the tooth. The procedure consists of one simple appointment.

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Mouthguards

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Mouthguards are soft, flexible, plastic appliances made to fit over teeth and gums not only to protect the teeth but also the jaw bone, lips and other soft tissues. Custom-made mouthguards are an important preventative tool for children and adults who plays contact sports and sports that are considered ‘low’ contact. It is a relatively inexpensive device that can reduce the risk of damage and the on-going costly repairs that may be required from an injury.

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