The stages in your family’s dental health
Dental health across the family is so important regardless of age. The good dental habits a parent maintains is one of the main influences to their children’s dental health.
Likewise, maintaining regular visits to the dentist for children not only teaches them to care for their teeth but also allows dentists to identify and treat orthodontic or decay problems early – before they become a painful and major issue.
Dental health during Pregnancy
The care of your children’s teeth begins in pregnancy and there are also important dental health considerations for pregnant women. This is all to do with nutrition, hormonal changes, morning sickness and other factors.
The dentists at Today’s Dentistry can talk to you during this important stage about maximising your and your new child’s dental health. If you are pregnant see our useful links and articles (right).
When should my child first visit the dentist?
Visiting the dentist is fun at Today’s Dentistry. Dr Darryl Marsh talks with some of our younger patients.
While the latest thinking is that children should see a dentist from one year of age, we usually start seeing kids from 3-4 years and then every 6 months. The earlier your child visits us the less fearful they are likely to become and its easy to bring them in for an early ‘ride of the chair’.
Baby teeth, also known as first or milk teeth, are very important in the healthy development of the child. If these teeth are lost prematurely, it can cause major problems with the positioning of the child’s adult teeth. Also the shape of the jaw development is very important during the time the milk teeth are in position. If the bacteria associated with cavities in children’s milk teeth is left untreated, then it is likely this will also cause pain and may increase the incidence of cavities in the adult teeth when they erupt.
Toddlers and children between the ages 1-7 years old
For children between the ages of 1 – 7 years of age dentistry focuses on the importance of milk teeth and preventing tooth decay in children.
This is also an age when kids will learn (and parents will teach) how to care for their teeth and their dental health – these lessons will last a lifetime. Having the best dentist to match you and your child’s needs throughout this time can be a vital part in helping reinforce lessons at home and a touchpoint for parents to discuss their concerns about your child’s current situation or development into their teens.
It is also important that the dentist’s approach to kids is a good match for your child – find out about Today’s Dentistry’s approach to treating children.
When they start getting adult teeth: 6 or 7 years old
Knowing what is normal as your child’s teeth fall out and grow back, and whether to worry if there is an accident are just some of the ways a good dentist becomes a parent’s trusted dental partner.
Children’s adult teeth erupt from 6/7 years old and will continue usually up till about 12 years old (Be sure to download our handy tooth eruption fact sheet for these timings).
As with young children it is important to maintain regular visits as this helps to educate children and teenagers to care for their own teeth and maintain good dental hygiene.
Many parents also find it useful to have a trusted dental partner at this time to ask “Is this normal?” or “What should I do?” with those inevitable bumps and chips that start to occur at sports or playground time.
Orthodontic problems can also be detected and treated early in kids and young adults, minimising time with braces, possible need for extractions in association with orthodontics and intercepting problems with bite.
Dental care for teenagers
Getting a teenager to the dentist can be a bit tricky at times but as a key time of development in their mouth and jaw, it is a time when all those early lessons and encouragement at home come into play.
Teenagers are increasingly conscious of their appearance so the continuation of great dental habits and regular check ups can help them keep on top of any decay, cavities and any of the pain or bad breath that might come with it.
Clear braces are just one of the Orthodontic options available to teenagers today – aren’t they lucky!
If your teen has crooked or alignment issues Orthodontic treatment may help and we are happy to take you and them through the options, alternatives and costs. Plus be sure to tell them that Orthodontics doesn’t always mean braces – modern dentistry has a lot of other options for the teenagers of today!
The old Medicare Teen Dental Plan and vouchers which encouraged teenagers to care for their teeth has now been replaced by the Child Dental Benefits Schedule.
We give you all the options – you decide
It is our policy to give you open and no-nonsense advice on all your options for you and your loved ones. This includes dental treatments, alternatives and any associated costs, and allows you to make the most informed decision. We will then continue to work with you to ensure you enjoy the maximum amount of time from your treatment.
We take care of families from all areas of Brisbane and invite you to call our friendly reception staff on (07) 3263 2677 or Contact us. They are never too busy to talk to you about your family’s dental needs, or any other dental questions that you may have.