Children’s Dentistry

Treating children at a dental practice is part science part art. At Emergency & General Dentist Bendigo we take care to ensure our junior patients are treated with care and the absolute minimum pain and discomfort. We create a relaxed environment that is fun and pleasant. We do not want to put any child off dentists.

We strongly believe in gently talking to the child to ensure they understand what we are doing and how to look after their oral hygiene. This foundation will help them maintain healthy teeth and gums resulting in fewer visits to the dentist in the many years to come.

Not just any dentist can relate well to children, so we have carefully selected those that have this skill and ability to work with young patients. Special training and years of experience enable them to deliver great service to children. They will help to address any fears the child might have and educate them on the best habits and behaviour to ensure they have a good start with their teeth.

The Benefits of Childhood Dentistry

Taking care of your teeth from an early age is critical for long-term oral health. It starts with education, good habits, and regular checkups. The experience will foster a sense of responsibility in the child that will last a lifetime. It is also much easier to prevent problems or catch and treat them early than it is to correct a neglected issue.

We encourage parents to start early. As soon as the first milk teeth appear, you can start getting the young ones used to the dentist.  

Here are some of the key benefits of starting dental care when the children are young:

• Instil good oral hygiene habits.
• Reduce fear of the dentist.
• Give the children a sense of responsibility for their oral hygiene.
• Detect any potential problems early.
• Treat issues early before they are major concerns.

Here are a few of the services we offer:

Dental Exams

Regular dental exams or checkups are vital to get the child’s teeth off to a good start and keep them healthy. A non-invasive exam will also help the child get used to the dentist as well as start to develop healthy habits from a young age. Some people even let the kids tag along when they have their “adult” check-up, so the young ones see firsthand that it is not bad. We are happy to accommodate this.

Check-ups for children help to identify problems early making treatment easy, sometimes even avoidable. This helps build up trust and makes the child less afraid if and when treatment becomes necessary.

If necessary, x-rays can be done to determine if there are any underlying conditions not visible with a normal inspection. These are only done if absolutely necessary and do not have any negative effects on the children.

Preventative Dentistry for Children

As the name suggests, this treatment is used to prevent future dental concerns. The practice will significantly reduce the risk of problems occurring down the line as the teeth develop. Early problems can lead to major problems in the future. Prevention is better than cure.  It consists of three main practices: instructional preventative treatment, protective treatment, and remineralising. Let’s take a look at what these involve:

• Instructional Preventative Treatment

This is normally incorporated into a checkup. It encompasses the information and advice our specialised dentists give to the children (as well as possibly the adults). This is an ongoing process to help the child understand the importance of oral hygiene and the best way to achieve this. Knowing how to brush correctly, for example, is something even many adults fail to master.

Our dentists who specialise in children as able to communicate with the child at their level in a way that makes them understand while remaining comfortable. They will also discuss the importance of the gums and the potential harm certain foods and drinks can cause. 

• Remineralising Treatments

This is a more specialized form of preventative treatment that will improve the health of the teeth and the gums. It generally consists of a fluoride treatment. Trays containing liquid fluoride are inserted into the child’s mouth which then bonds to the teeth and gums. The practice is invaluable in enhancing oral health by replacing any vital nutrients that might have diminished over time.

• Protective Treatments

 Such treatments involve general treatments that protect the mouth, teeth, and gums. These include:

• Cleaning

Cleaning is an important part of oral hygiene. Even with regular brushing using the right toothbrush and technique, nothing beats a good clean at the dentist. The process is quick and does not cause pain. It also helps the dentist more easily identify potential problems. This can be done as part of a checkup or as a separate appointment. It is important to keep this practice up regularly.

• Mouth guards

It is never too young to start wearing a mouthguard if the child is involved in any sort of contact or action sport. Kids are engaging in these activities younger and younger, and any early damage could negatively impact their teeth in the years to come. This does not only apply to football, rugby, and martial arts, but also BMX, motocross, and related activities that many youngsters engage in.

Off-the-shelf mouth guards are never sufficient but with young mouths, it is even more critical that they are custom-made to fit perfectly. A poorly fitting mouthguard can do more harm than good and often give a false sense of security. They need to be made by qualified experts with experience in this field of preventative treatment. We have those skills.

We can also make them in a range of funky colors that appeal to many children, some of whom might otherwise feel insecure wearing a mouthguard. Our customised mouthguards are designed for maximum comfort and protection.

• Fissure Sealants

These are generally applied to the tiny grooves or fissures that occur on the back or the tops of the teeth. The areas it is used are often spots that are hard to reach effectively with a toothbrush, particularly in young hands. The fissure sealant forms a thin invisible layer that creates a protective barrier. This dramatically reduces the risk of more serious issues such as cavities. This means less chance of pain and invasive treatment which can be traumatic for a child.

• Extractions

It is rare, but not unheard of, that a child’s tooth or teeth might need to be extracted. It could be the result of an injury, medication, or long-term neglect. Whatever the reason, we will do extractions where necessary and advise on what can be done if the adult teeth are not imminent.

Restorative Children’s Dentistry

Despite applying education, preventative treatments, and regular checkups, problems can still occur that need to be treated. We will try to identify the possible reasons for this to prevent it from happening regularly but the most important thing to do is to treat it as quickly as possible. We can do this in such a way that the child will experience minimal discomfort and pain.  

We refer to treatment such as restorative dentistry. Fillings are the most common example of this. It is used to treat wear, damage, or cavities before they become a greater challenge.  In most cases, we will go with a white composite filling although we do use amalgam on occasion. The options will be discussed with you, the parent. In more severe cases, a pediatric crown might be recommended. These are normally stainless steel and specifically designed to work on baby teeth. Such corrective measures will restore the child's appearance and ensure the surrounding teeth continue to grow correctly. Neglecting these measures could have negative long-term results. Crowns are painless and affordable. They are only recommended if other measures are unlikely to have the desired results.

Conclusion

There are a few things you want for your child and a happy healthy smile is one of them. You also want them to not fear the dentist. Sadly, many people have a bad experience in their youth that instils a sense of fear of the dentist that often lasts a lifetime. At Emergency & General Dentist Bendigo we strive to make sure the experience is effective while being as comfortable as possible.