Children’s Dentistry
Forest Hill & Nearby Suburbs
20-22 Brentford Square, Forest Hill VIC 3131
It’s the BIG DAY! Your child’s first dental visit!
If you’re like most parents, you’re probably wondering how your child will react. Will he or she be scared? Cry? Cooperate because you’re there? Is there anything you can do to prepare your child and yourself?
When you schedule your child’s first at Brentford Dental, we’ll be able to walk you through the suggestions we offer to parents of our “first time” dental patients. It’s really a whole lot easier than you think!
When should your child’s first dentist visit take place?
We encourage you to bring your child in between the time he or she gets their first tooth and one year. We like to call this first visit a “happy visit.” It is not meant to be long; we are simply introducing ourselves to your child and initiating contact. The shorter the visit, the better.
What happens at the first visit?
We want your child’s first experience with the dentist to be as pleasant as possible. After all, we want your child to look forward to future visits here at Brentford Dental!
During your child’s first visit, we will request information about your child’s complete medical and dental history up to that point. We will examine your child’s teeth, demonstrate proper brushing and oral hygiene, and discuss proper care and routine dental maintenance with you. At this same time, you can feel free to discuss any concerns that you might have.
We may also have you or your child hold a mirror as we count their teeth with them. This makes the visit interactive and fun for your child.
How Can I Prepare My Child (and Myself) for this First Visit?
Talk to your child about their first dental visit, in words that he or she can understand. Keep in mind that painless child dentistry is the goal for your child. Many of your child’s visits to a “doctor” have involved the administration of shots, so it’s understandable that when you use the term “doctor,” your child may show some apprehension.
Try to find a library book about a child’s first dental visit. The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist and Show Me Your Smile!: A Visit to the Dentist (Dora the Explorer) are two examples that use characters that may be well known to your child.
Please be sure to stay positive with your child when speaking about their dental visit. Often, it’s best to say very little, so your child has no pre-conceived ideas. Let your child know that the dentist will be very gentle and wants your child to have a good experience here. If you expect your child to enjoy their first visit to our office, then most likely they will. Remember the power of positive thinking!
If your child has a favorite stuffed animal, toy or blanket, by all means, feel free to bring it with you if it will provide that added layer of security and comfort for your child.
Comprehensive Treatments
Should your child have a cavity or abscess, we provide complete restorative options for all ages. Fillings and root canals are just a couple of examples.
To help your child feel at ease, we provide gentle sedation options like nitrous oxide (happy gas). Our goal is to intercept issues when they’re smaller and less invasive to correct.
Fissure Sealants
Some of the most cavity-prone areas in your child’s mouth are the deep grooves and pits on their back teeth (molars). Their permanent molars erupt around the ages of 6 and 12, respectively. To make these surfaces easier to clean, we recommend placing protective fissure sealants soon after their adult molars cut through the gums. Sealants also serve to block out cavity-causing bacteria and food debris.
Sealants take only a few minutes to apply to each tooth. We can typically place them at the same time as your child’s routine checkup. No numbing is necessary!
Clean and Fluoride
Routine cleans allow us to lower your child’s risk of cavities and bad breath. Our oral health therapist will clean away buildup and polish off stain that may have accumulated since their last appointment. During the process, we’ll discuss any changes that have occurred since the last visit. Age-appropriate oral hygiene instruction helps your child adapt their home-care habits to keep their smile healthy between visits.
Following the scale and clean, we’ll place a professional fluoride gel across their enamel to make teeth resistant to decay. Fluoride is also helpful for combating tooth sensitivity. We recommend routine fluoride for all children but especially those who may be wearing braces or other orthodontic appliances.
Get a Customised Sports Mouthguard
Tailor-made to your specific teeth.
For family and children’s dentistry in Forest Hill, contact our office to schedule.
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20-22 Brentford Square,
Forest Hill VIC 3131 - Ph: (03) 7023 0066
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