Children’s Dentistry in Shenton Park
Dr. Ash (Dentist) has always had a special interest in treating children, and we see lots of kids at Shenton Park Village Dental. Our goal is to make coming to the dentist a positive experience, to help motivate children to take good care of their teeth and see a dentist regularly their whole life. Our friendly staff go out of their way to make your child’s visit fun.
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Our Approach
We use the tell/show/do technique to put kids at ease. First, we tell them what we’re going to do. Then we show them the tools we’ll be using. We answer all their questions. Often the first visit is simply to allow the child to become familiar with the dental environment.
If the child is comfortable, we’ll conduct an examination to identify areas of decay or growth issues. We’ll explain what we find, and go over proper cleaning habits. If treatment is required, such as fissure sealants, we’ll explain all the options for doing it in a comfortable manner, which may include sedation.
When to Start
We typically recommend bringing your child to the dentist when they’re about 4 or 5 years old. At that point, they usually have their adult teeth and are more able to understand what’s going to happen.
However, there are instances where we’d like to see children before that age. If they have any sort of trauma to the mouth, they should immediately see a dentist. Even if they only have their baby teeth, it’s important to assess the injury to prevent damage to the adult teeth. In addition, if babies are having trouble nursing, we can evaluate them to see if there is a physical cause in the mouth.
Check The Bite – Early Screening
An abnormal bite can present in many ways.
We call this malocclusion. Types of malocclusion include:
- Overcrowding
- Open bite
- Space between teeth
- Deep bite
- Under bite
- Crowded teeth
- Spacing
- Cross bite
- Missing Teeth
What Causes Malocclusion
Malocclusion is typically a genetic condition, but some habits can cause changes in the shape and structure of the jaw. One of the common causes that lead to malocclusion is too much or too little space in the jaw for the teeth to erupt. Reasons that lead to malocclusion are:
- Tooth loss
- Impacted tooth
- Use of pacifier for a long time
- Thumb sucking
- Cleft lip and palate
- Trauma and injuries
- Tumours in the mouth
- Bottle feeding
- Lack of oral hygiene and care
- Airway obstructed by enlarged adenoids or allergies
- Underdeveloped jaws
- Disharmony of the muscles of the face, head and neck.
Early Screening is IMPORTANT!
Symptoms for malocclusion can range between mild, moderate, and severe, depending on the condition.
Some of the ways malocclusion can be identified are:
- Misaligned teeth
- Problems with speech
- Uncomfortable biting and chewing
- Mouth breathing
- Cheek and tongue biting
- Facial structure changes
How Is Malocclusion Diagnosed?
A child is regularly checked for malocclusion from their first visit to the dentist onwards. If the jaw seems distorted or the teeth are out of line, our dentist will then examine the following:
- The medical history of the child
- Teeth and mouth
- Face and teeth x-rays
At Shenton Park Village Dental, we recommend regular examinations from an early age. This will allow us to screen and identify malocclusion problems from the beginning. Management with the right TEAM is beneficial before it worsens. If you are having any concerns about your child’s bite, book in for an examination with us. We are passionate about healthy bites for healthy children.
How To Brush
- Brush for two minutes, twice per day; once in the morning and once at night.
- Choose a toothbrush with a small head and soft bristles.
- Follow the same brushing routine every day. This can help to make sure you reach every tooth.
- Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle towards the gums and brush gently in small circles
or a back-and-forth motion. - Do not scrub from side to side, this can damage your teeth and gums.
- Gently brush the top of your tongue.
- After brushing, spit out the toothpaste but do not rinse your mouth with water.
Teeth Friendly Food And Drinks
Tooth-Friendly Snack Foods For Children
- Fresh vegetables: such as carrot and celery pieces.
- Fresh fruit: instead of fruit juice or dried fruit.
- Yoghurt & cheese: is good for teeth except when extra sugar has been added. Read the food label and ingredients to check the sources of
Tooth-Friendly Drinks For Children
- Breastmilk or infant formula Cow’s milk after 12 months of age.
- Water after 12 months of age.
- Tap water is best
Mouthguards
Mouthguards protect teeth from damage when playing sports. They should be worn during training and sporting games.
- Comfortable
- Easy to breath & speak
- Stays securely in place
- Greatest level of protection
At Shenton Park Village Dental, we are able to make customised mouthguards to fit every individual mouth.
- Often fit poorly
- Provide less protection
- Can affect speech and breathing
Eco-Dentistry
Traditional toothbrushes, floss, toothpaste tubes and dental equipment contributes to a lot of nonbiodegradable plastic waste.
At Shenton Park Village Dental we are passionate about healthy mouths, a healthy community and a healthy planet for the future.
Here are some eco-friendly measures that we have taken:
- Reduced single-use plastic materials and equipment
- Implemented recycling procedures
- Using energy-saving lights and equipment
- Oral Hygiene Eco-packs which include compostable bamboo toothbrushes, cloth bags, silk floss, and seeded pencils which can be planted at the end of use
- Re-useable materials and equipment that can be autoclave sterilized
- Digital technology to eliminate paper use
Get Started Today
Contact us today to schedule. We accept the Child Dental Benefits Schedule.
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Any invasive or surgical procedure may carry risks. Before moving forward, it is recommended that you seek a second opinion from an appropriately licensed medical professional.
