Category: Children Dentistry

It may sometimes become a difficult task for parents to teach their children correct dental care. However, as a parent, you have a very big role to play in ensuring your children’s teeth remain healthy and clean. You should make them realize the importance of oral hygiene so as to avoid a myriad of dental problems that may crop up later in the child’s life. Not only should you as a parent; teach your kids proper dental care but also should impart good dental care habits in the early stages of a child’s life.

If you would love to know some great dental tips for your kids, read on.

1. Proper Brushing Technique

It will probably catch you by a surprise to know that most people around the globe still use incorrect techniques to brush their teeth. One word for individuals who brush their teeth aggressively back and forth is: No! That can cause damages to your teeth and gums. Tilt the bristles a bit towards your gums and brush gently in tiny circles, touching every surface of each tooth. The general recommendation for kids is to brush for two minutes.

It is important to teach your kids the proper technique so they can carry the same throughout their lives.

2. Flossing

Most parents may think that flossing is something that their children should start when their permanent teeth come in. This is not the case; your child should start it as soon as the two last molar start touching each other. Mostly this happens around three years of age. Flossing is important because it removes particles between the teeth that would not come out using a toothbrush only.

3. Impact Good Dental Care Habits

It is crucial that parents impart good dental care practices to children as soon as possible. If a child can learn good dental care practices early enough, he/she won’t face any dental problems in his/her later life stages. You should also take your child to see a dentist after every six months. Here is where we as Carrum Downs Dental Group are best at. We have dentists that are specially trained in handling kids.

For people who leave in Carrum Downs, you can visit Carrum Downs Dental Group with your kid for a comfortable experience.

4. Eat Healthy Foods

As a parent, you need to ensure that your kids eat nutritious food for good dental health. Foods that have a high content of sugar and other beverages are most likely to cause cavities. Instead, have them take juices made of fruits. Also, avoid giving your kids sticky foods; they stick on the teeth leading to cavities.

5. Opt for Fluoride toothpaste

Parents should use fluoride toothpaste as soon as the child has developed the first tooth. It helps control and prevents tooth decay. For children below three years, fluoride toothpaste should contain 1350 to 1500 ppm of fluoride. You should, however, tell them not to lick or eat the toothpaste.

Teeth will begin to develop in children right from when they are in their mother’s womb. You and your child will begin to see their teeth when they are around four months of age. These teeth are called deciduous or milk teeth. They are also called primary teeth. Once a child has turned three years old, they should have twenty teeth. Every child is different when it comes to the number and order at which their teeth will grow. They should get their very first permanent tooth at approximately six years old.

Primary teeth should begin to fall out when your child is six to seven years of age. The top and bottom central incisor teeth will usually be the first teeth that will fall out. Be aware that it is normal for a child to become anxious if a tooth has fallen out. They will feel the pain and see the blood and will likely be concerned about this. However, if you act as a tooth fairy and treat them with some money, the concern they have will soon go away.

The first permanent tooth will begin to grow when your child turns six years old. Their molars will grow in the lower and upper jaw first. This will occur before the final primary teeth arrive. It is normal for the central incisor teeth to grow behind the primary incisor teeth. They should soon get to the correct position in a few weeks or months. More teeth should grow into the gaps where other teeth have previously fallen out. It is the responsibility of all parents to show their children how to brush their teeth, mouth and gums correctly. If this is neglected, then children may experience the following: hand, foot and mouth disease, mouth ulcers, oral rush, or cold sores. Always check your children’s teeth as often as possible. This teaches your children to develop a good routine that they should continue throughout their life.

Many years ago, dummies were never considered to be a problem. However, these days, it is advised that children stop using dummies before permanent teeth begin to develop. If the use of dummies continues, the child will experience a few different consequences. These include: deep palate or cross bite. Never soak dummies into sweet sugary liquids. Always keep them safe and clean.

It is normal for children to suck their thumb until they are about four years old or if the permanent teeth begin to grow. If they are still sucking their thumb at this age or older, be aware that this could result in dental changes. To prevent them from doing this, wrap their finger with a band aid and paint on top of it with stop aid nail polish.

If not treated correctly, caries are likely to occur at a young age. Infants may develop caries in their front upper teeth. This is because baby bottles have not been used correctly. Juice in a bottle can result in the development of caries. The first sign of caries developing at an early age is that the child might have a dull white line across their gum line. More often than not, bacteria are sitting in these areas. This turns sugar into acid. The acid will then dissolve into the tooth’s enamel. If a tooth has turned black or brown, then you can be sure a hole has developed. The brownish black stumps on a tooth tell us that the hole has grown quite large. This will usually occur in the upper teeth, not in the lower teeth.

All parents must check their children’s teeth regularly. The following guidelines must be followed:

As soon as your child has finished drinking, put the bottle somewhere else. If the child needs another drink, only give them cooled boiled water. Start giving a feeding cup to your child once they have turned six to eight months of age. Most of the time, bottles can be thrown out once the child has turned twelve months old. Always give your child drinking water. This should be given top priority over sweet drinks or juices. Visit the dentist often to get a check-up done on your child’s teeth. If your child is fearful about this, sit them on your lap during the appointment. Children between 2-17 years are eligible for Child Dental Benefit Schedule. Thanks to the Australian Governments CDBS program.

If you have other worries about this, please get in touch with these people in your local town or city:
The doctor. The local council. Our dentist.

• Your Community Dental Clinic or Dental Health Services Victoria. Contact them on: 1300 360 054 between 8.30 am to 5 pm, on Monday to Friday.
• Country areas can call 1800 833 093.
• Your Dental Health Services Victoria Information Line. Call them on: 1300 360 054 8 am to 5 pm, on Monday to Friday.
• The Maternal and Child Health Line (24 hours). Contact them on: 132 229 or the NURSE-ON-CALL at: 1300 60 24 for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days)
• The Royal Childrens Hospital. Call them on: (03) 9345 5344, 9 am to 5 pm, on Monday to Friday

On 23 April 2016, the Australian Government announced its intention to close the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) from 1 July 2016. As the legislation was not passed by Parliament before the Government entered into caretaker arrangements on 9 May 2016, the CDBS remains open.

The CDBS provides individual benefits for a range of services including examinations, x-rays, cleaning, fissure sealing, fillings, root canals and extractions. Benefits are not available for orthodontic or cosmetic dental work and cannot be paid for any services provided in a hospital.

The total benefit entitlement is capped at $1,000 per child over a two calendar year period. The CDBS has a means test, which requires receipt of Family Tax Benefit Part A or a relevant Australian Government payment.