Children’s Dentistry in Wantirna
Give your kids long-lasting, healthy smiles!
Caring for your child’s dental health is crucial during their formative years. This is the period where their primary teeth erupt making way for the permanent teeth beneath. Careful attention to dental care at this stage will lay the foundation for lifelong oral health. Therefore, paediatric dentistry is crucial for your child’s current and future oral health.
Children’s teeth tend to be more susceptible to dental decay or caries, as they have a thinner enamel layer and a larger chamber for the dental nerve or “pulp”. This can get easily infected soon after a cavity has formed owing to its proximity to the tooth surface when compared to permanent adult teeth. Tender and thorough care has to be given to manage a healthy smile with primary teeth, whilst ensuring the readiness for a good set of permanent teeth.
Why is it important to care for children’s teeth?
If a child suffers from dental issues, treatment is necessary in the form of a cleaning, fillings or even a root canal. It is advised that you start your child’s dental care at an early age and make regular visits to the dentist. At least every 6 months is the recommended interval. Going through these early appointments will be well worth it in the future when your child benefits from optimal oral health. Some of the key benefits of this practice include:
- Early detection of issues
- Preventing tooth decay
- Promoting proper tooth development
- Preventing dental anxiety at an early age
- Developing good oral habits and training in proper dental hygiene
Looking for the best kids dentistry in Wantirna? Give us a call today to give your child a bright and healthy smile!
How do you teach a Child Oral Hygiene?
- Dental care should begin as early as possible. You may begin with wiping your child’s teeth with a soft cloth or a baby toothbrush.
- When they grow up, teach them to brush their teeth after age 2 using a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste Be careful with the amount as excessive fluoride in childhood can lead to fluorosis. Encourage them with brush time by making it a fun activity that helps them develop this healthy habit. Make sure it’s a fun routine by doing it together.
- A dental check-up between the ages of 1 and 2 years is a good way to begin professional dental care for your child, ensuring their teeth develop healthily. The dentist can also predict the likelihood of any future developmental anomalies, so prevention is essential and easy.
- Taking your child for regular dental check-ups and rewarding them after each visit is an excellent way to help them grow confident and even get excited about visiting the dentist. Looking forward to dental checkups will greatly help eliminate the future possibility of dental anxiety, which usually occurs due to negative experiences with the dentist at an early age.
- To further aid in maintaining your child’s oral hygiene, avoid giving them sweet snacks and juices in between meals. Replace these with fruits and vegetables to aid in their teeth’s physical cleaning and also to keep their vitamin intake intact.
- Leading by example is important. Show your child the value of good oral hygiene by practising it yourself. Your enthusiasm will inspire them to follow suit.
Children’s Dental Care Treatments in Wantirna
When a child requires dental care, there are a range of treatments that can be carried out. In Wantirna, we provide a wide variety of dental care for your child’s dental needs:
- Dental cleaning
- Care for anxious/ fearful children
- Dental trauma management
- Fissure and pit sealants
- Dental fillings
- Tooth extraction
- Interceptive orthodontics
- Endodontic (root canal) treatment
- Management of developmental anomalies/ conditions
- Treatment under sedation (if needed)
Healthy smiles for your little ones!
Child Dental Benefits Scheme (CDBS)
Dental care is expensive and many parents may unfortunately neglect their child’s dental health needs due to the expenses incurred. This is mostly followed under the assumption that their primary teeth will shed and permanent teeth will naturally replace them. This concept is harmful for the children who can then suffer from major dental disease which may go untreated, and cause further damage to the developing permanent teeth below.
Not all dental practices offer the Child Dental Benefit Scheme (CDBS), which aims to help fund children’s dental health needs between the ages of 0-17 years. At Studfield Dental Group we are proud providers of the CDBS. Over 3 million children are aided financially via the Child Dental Benefit Scheme through the Australian Government Medicare every year.
Medicare provides up to $1,052 to eligible children over two calendar years, covering various dental treatments. Eligible families already receive some form of financial aid, such as the Family Tax Benefit A payments.
Eligible children may receive a variety of dental treatments such as detailed dental examinations, cleanings, fillings and root canal treatments. Orthodontic treatment (braces), cosmetic dental treatment and major surgeries are not covered by the CDBS.
Is your child eligible for CDBS?
Eligibility for the CDBS is determined at the beginning of every calendar year, where the parent or child must meet the requirements for at least one day of that year. Children or parents who become eligible during the calendar year receive payment for the entire year.
Children eligible for Medicare, between the ages of 0-17 years and who receive one or more of the following benefits are eligible for CDBS:
- Family Tax Benefit A
- Youth Allowance
- Carer Payment
- Special benefit
- Parenting payment
- Disability support pension
- Veterans Children Education Scheme (age 16 or above)
- Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Education and Training Scheme (age 16 or above)
Payments of the CDBS that have not been used by you or your child during the first year can be transferred in full into the second year.
If you wish to use more than the allowance of the CDBS, we are happy to provide you with all the details and the best treatment options to suit your child’s individual dental needs.
We at Studfield Dental Group have an excellent team of dentists specialising in treating children. Not only are they warm, friendly and well trained, but they will also ensure your child leaves happy, smiling and feeling cared for by their dentist, excited for their next visit!
Taking care of your child’s teeth
Looking after your child’s teeth is vital for their overall health. Here are some tips:
- Start early: Begin your child’s oral care even before the first tooth appears by wiping your baby’s gums with a soft, damp cloth after feedings.
- First visit: Schedule your child’s first dental visit when their first tooth erupts and go for regular checkups every 6 months to prevent any potential issues.
- Use the right toothbrush: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush suitable for your child’s age. For infants, a finger brush can be gentle on their gums.
- Use the right toothpaste: Using a toothpaste with the right amount of fluoride is important to steer clear of fluorosis, while advising against swallowing toothpaste as well.
- Develop a routine: Make brushing and flossing a definite part of your child’s daily routine and join in.
- Healthy diet: Limit sugary snacks and drinks. Encourage a balanced diet for strong teeth and gums.
- Protect teeth during sports activities: Consider a mouthguard to protect their teeth from injury.
Why Choose SDG Dental
Choosing Studfield Dental Group in Wantirna will give you peace of mind knowing that your child’s oral health is in the dedicated, trained and highly experienced hands of our friendly dental team who cut no corners when providing the best service.
With us, you can expect –
- Highly skilled and experienced dentists
- State-of-the-art equipment and techniques
- Friendly and caring dental team
- Supportive at every stage
- Comfort and safety-oriented
- Patient-focused approach
- Personalised treatment plans
- A wide range of dental services such as general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, emergency dentistry, family dentistry, laser dentistry and much under one roof.
Our paediatric dentistry clinic is dedicated to providing exceptional dental care in a fun, supportive environment. We are committed to helping your child develop healthy dental habits that will last a lifetime. Schedule a consultation with Studfield Dental Group today to help your child take the first step towards a brighter and healthier smile!
