FIRST DENTAL VISIT

The ideal time for a child’s first dental visit is around the age of

12 – 24 months.

 

At this first visit your dentist will use the opportunity to give important information regarding cleaning your young child’s mouth, baby bottle caries, teething and other habits that is important to note as your child grows up. An inspection will be done on the overall health of the mouth and any visible teeth.

 

For children who are a bit older the visit may include a full exam of the teeth, bite, gums and oral tissues to check growth and development. If deemed necessary, an x-ray will be taken to diagnose decay (depending on the child’s age). This will also be a “show and tell” opportunity where the child will be introduced to how the chair works as well as the various instruments we use (mirror, brush tip etc), giving them the opportunity to ask any questions they might have.

 

If needed, we will refer your child to the oral hygienist who will do a gentle cleaning. The oral hygienist will show you and your child how to properly brush and floss and give advice on fluoride and home care products.

 

It is recommended to bring your child every 6 months for a visit to make sure that they maintain good oral health.

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INFORMATION FOR PARENT 

Preparing your child for their first visit is very important and the following is worth taking note of:

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• Try to arrange for a morning appointment as they are normally more awake and well rested

• Give them information regarding the visit and make them excited to come

• Avoid using words like “injection”, “drill” and be careful not to relate any of your own dental fear over to your child

• Discuss any concerns beforehand with your dentist

• Try to stay calm in the dental room as children pick up their parent anxieties very easily.

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FILLINGS AND EXTRACTIONS 

After the initial visit (if not an emergency) the dentist will compile a treatment plan and cost estimate and schedule a second appointment in which the fillings/extractions will be done.

We make use of metal free tooth coloured fillings and the extractions are done with the least amount of trauma. (if deemed necessary the option of theatre or sedation might be recommended).

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SCREENING FOR ORTHODONTICS

At the age of 6 or 7 we normally screen children to see if there is the need for orthodontic treatment. At this age the permanent teeth are still developing and the jaw still growing. Not all orthodontic problems can be treated at this age but conditions like cross bites, protruding front teeth and narrow arches can be addressed.  We call any treatment done at this age interceptive orthodontics (not fixed braces) as its purpose is to help intercept early problems by guiding the growth of the jaw and creating more space for better permanent teeth positions.

 

Things we normally look out for are the following:

• Early or late loss of baby teeth

• A hard time chewing or biting food

• Mouth breathing

• Finger or thumb sucking

• Crowded, misplaced, or blocked teeth

• Jaws that pop or make sounds when opening and closing

• Teeth that come together abnormally, or do not come together at all

• Jaws and teeth that are not proportionate to the rest of the face

• Crowded front teeth

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For older children (11 yrs +) an orthodontic screening will be done to determine if the jaws and teeth are in an ideal positon and if needed we will refer them to an orhodontis for further orthodontic treatment.