As a parent, one of your top priorities is ensuring your child is healthy and happy. Dental health plays a crucial role in your child’s overall well-being, and starting good dental habits at an early age can lead to a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.
In this blog, we’ll provide tips and guidance for parents on how to care for their children’s dental health, focusing on children’s dentistry.
When to Take Your Child to the Dentist
Introducing oral care to your child at an early age is crucial. Even before their first tooth appears, you can start cleaning their gums with a soft cloth or gauze. Once their teeth begin to emerge, use a small, soft-bristled toothbrush to brush their teeth twice a day gently.
According to the Australian Dental Association (ADA), parents should schedule their child’s first dental appointment before their first birthday or within six months of the emergence of their first tooth, whichever’s first.
By taking your kid to a children’s dentist and teaching them the importance of children’s dental care at an early age, you are preparing perfect smiles for your kids and setting them up for good oral health throughout.
Importance of Regular Dental Checkups for Kids
Regular dental checkups are essential for maintaining your children’s dental health. The ADA also recommends that children see a dentist every six months. During these checkups, the kid’s dentist will examine your child’s teeth and gums, clean their teeth and provide guidance and recommendations on caring for them at home.
Here are some of the reasons why regular dental checkups are essential:
- Prevent cavities
- Detect other oral health issues
- Monitor tooth development
- Reinforce good oral hygiene habits
- Create a positive dental experience
At About Smiles, aside from regular dentist checkups and routine work, we also offer advanced procedures like dental implants and smile makeovers, along with confidence-boosting dental cosmetic treatments.
Choose a Dentist With Children’s Dentistry Expertise
Dentistry for children in Sydney is a specialised field focusing on the unique dental needs of infants, children and adolescents. These dental professionals are specially trained to treat children, and they possess a deeper knowledge of how to make dental appointments an enjoyable experience for young patients.
At About Smiles, Dr Caroline Chung is our resident specialist in Sydney children’s dentistry. With more than ten years of experience in children’s dental care, your kid is in more than capable hands. Opting for a specialist like her ensures your child receives top-notch dental care in a welcoming and kid-centric setting.
What to Do When Your Child Experiences A Dental Emergency
Dental emergencies can be a frightening experience for both parents and children. Knowing what to do in an emergency can help alleviate stress and ensure your child receives the proper care.
Whatever the case, it’s essential to remain calm for your child. If you need help with what to do, contact our expert dentists for guidance.
Here are some common emergency dental situations for kids and what you should do:
- Toothache — To remove any food particles that might be trapped between their teeth, instruct them to floss gently and rinse their mouth with warm water. If the pain persists, give your child acetaminophen (not aspirin) and arrange an assessment with your kid’s dentist immediately.
- Knocked-out tooth — Hold the tooth by the crown (the top part of the tooth), rinse it gently with water if it’s dirty, and try to reinsert it into the socket if possible. If the tooth can’t be reinserted, place it in a container of milk or saliva and take your child and the tooth to the dentist immediately.
- Object stuck in teeth — If your child has something lodged in their teeth, try to extract it using dental floss. If the item can’t be dislodged, an appointment with your kid’s dentist is recommended.
- Broken or chipped tooth — Rinse your kid’s mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. If the tooth is causing pain, give your child acetaminophen (not aspirin) and immediately take them to the children’s dental centre.
- Broken braces — If your child’s braces are broken, or a wire is poking them, cover the end of the wire with orthodontic wax or a small cotton ball and schedule a visit to the orthodontist as soon as possible.
Prevention is always the best strategy for avoiding dental emergencies. Encourage your child to wear a mouthguard when participating in sports, avoid chewing on hard or sticky foods and maintain good oral hygiene habits.
At About Smiles, we offer emergency dental care for kids on a same-day basis, with after-hours dentist appointments until 7 pm on Thursdays and 4 pm on Saturdays. If you require immediate dental assistance, call us right away.