Caring for Your Child’s Smile

Your child just turned two. You’ve considered taking her/him to the dentist for the first time, but aren’t sure if it’s totally necessary just yet. What you do know is that you want her to avoid all of the anxiety and dental work that plagued you growing up.

At Melton Dental, we can help you with that. Our friendly team is passionate about helping anxious parents get their child’s oral health on the right track and making dental visits memorable experiences. From treatments to guidance and education, we will provide all the information you need to care for your child’s smile, making us your trusted children’s dentist.

Here are some steps you can take from a young age to ensure your child has a healthy smile that lasts well into adulthood:

Floss the Teeth That Touch

Cavities often form between the teeth. While many children have spaces between their primary (baby) teeth, some do not. These crowded areas may tend to decay without parents realising it. So if the teeth touch side-by-side, floss them daily.

Since flossing can be a little difficult for young children to do themselves, you may have to do it for then until they are able to. As time goes on, you can help them develop proper flossing techniques and make it a part of their daily routine.

Help Them Brush

When it comes to brushing, you should start brushing your child’s teeth as soon as they erupt. While most children love to be independent, you will need to supervise and follow up and make sure all of the areas are cleaned thoroughly.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when teaching your child how to brush:

• Show them how to apply a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.
• Explain that they should not swallow the toothpaste.
• Demonstrate the angle to hold the brush and how to gently brush the inner, outer and chewing surfaces.
• Demonstrate how to clean the tongue.

Choose the Right Toothpaste

A fluoridated toothpaste strengthens teeth and makes them more decay-resistant. However, fluoride guidelines have changed. Now, medical and dental professionals recommend using a small, rice-sized smear of fluoridated toothpaste on toddlers, and then increasing it to a pea-sized dab once they are old enough to rinse on their own.

Establish a Routine 

When it comes to dental care, the earlier you establish a routine for your child, the better. One of the best ways to do this is through setting a good example by sticking to your own routine. When they see you brushing and flossing your teeth, they will be more likely to follow your actions.

You should also schedule regular dental check-ups for your family. We recommend bringing your little one in for their first appointment by the time their teeth first begin to appear. Bringing them in for appointments from a young age will help them become familiar with the setting and make them less averse to visiting the dentist and oral care.

Encourage Children to Drink Water and Eat Healthy

Sipping on juice or milk throughout the day feeds bacteria inside of the mouth, increasing acid levels and the rate of decay. So, encourage them to drink water between meals.

Since nutrition plays an important role in maintaining your child’s oral health, we recommend they eat a balanced diet with highly nutritious foods. It’s also best to avoid excessive consumption of sugary and acidic foods as they can increase the risk of tooth decay and cavities.

Schedule a Dental Checkup Early On

Melton Dental Group works closely with parents to ensure their children have healthy smiles and avoid unnecessary treatments by incorporating preventative techniques starting at a young age. We recommend calling our Melton dentists to schedule a checkup by age one. After all, catching problems earlier makes them easier (and less intimidating) to correct.

Melton Dental Group proudly bulk bills children under the Child Dental Benefits Scheme. That means that you will have a 100% rebate for your child’s dental treatment. Our dentists have a special interest in treating children. Not only do they have the experience and expertise but they show the compassion and care that is required to treat young patients.

Call us on 03 9743 4922 to organise an appointment for your child today.