Friendly Dentists Nurturing Healthy and Bright Smiles from a Young Age
At Bellevue Hill Dental, our motto is to create healthy dental habits in young children for a lifetime of lasting oral health. This allows our young warriors to develop a proper oral routine from a young age, allowing them to adopt healthy lifestyle habits for well-maintained oral and overall health.
Regular visits to the dentist help shape your child’s attitude towards dental treatment, encouraging them to develop good oral care habits and a positive relationship with their dentists. This ensures any oral issues are detected and treated early with regular dental checkups for strong, straight, and healthy teeth.
Children’s Dentistry Services at Bellevue Hill Dental
We offer a range of paediatric dental care services for children of all ages to keep their teeth and gums healthy for life. With preventive and reactive treatments tailored to their developing needs, our gentle kids’ dentists work with your children to keep their teeth looking and feeling their best.
Some of the children’s dentistry treatments we offer include:
Dental Checkups
The most common question parents of young children have is when to take them for their first dental checkup. We recommend you bring your child in when their baby teeth start developing, ideally between the ages of two and four. They can meet our friendly dentists, ride in the dental chair, and we will examine their teeth once they’re comfortable.
It’s important to understand that bringing your child in for a dental visit does not mean they will need treatment. These are precautionary and preventive measures that allow us to examine their developing teeth and the condition of their mouth. It also allows us to educate you on how to care for your child’s oral health, showing you the correct brushing techniques and catching any decay at an early stage. Dental checkups also help ensure that any teeth or jaw misalignment because of crooked teeth is treated early with orthodontics, generally after eight years and above. When orthodontic treatments, if required, are started early, teeth alignment and bite problems have a shorter treatment time. Overall, dental checkups include an assessment of your child’s mouth to cover the scope of their oral health for preventive care and diagnosis of any developing oral issues.
Fillings
Tooth decay or dental caries is one of the most common problems in young children. As part of our children’s dentistry services in Bellevue Hill, we offer dental fillings to restore the tooth structure after it has been damaged by decay or trauma.
Without a filling, the cavity can deepen and cause further damage not only to the affected tooth but also to the surrounding healthy teeth or ones that have yet to erupt. Our dentists treat the decay and fill it with either an amalgam or composite filling. If needed or if the tooth is badly damaged, it can be covered with a silver crown until it is ready to fall out.
Our dental care for children is determined based on your child’s teeth condition, damage extent, and age. Generally, children with baby teeth are treated with more preventive care to protect their existing and erupting teeth.
Fissure Sealants
Fissure sealants help prevent cavities and tooth decay in young children, usually recommended around six years or when their first permanent molars erupt. Fissure sealants are a non-invasive, preventive procedure that prevents cavities on hard-to-reach chewing surfaces.
The process involves applying a sealant to form a physical barrier over the tooth, smoothing the surface, and making it easier to brush and clean. The sealant can last for many years, making the procedure cost-effective and helping your child avoid costly fillings and painful extractions in the future.
Fluoride Application
Fluoride treatment is a preventive children’s dentistry procedure used to help protect young teeth against decay. The treatment involves the application of a fluoride solution to help strengthen the tooth enamel and make it more resistant to cavities.
Our fluoride therapies are designed to deliver maximum results with treatments tailored to your growing child’s needs. We use fluoride depending on the condition we are trying to address, such as restoring stability to existing decay, strengthening a freshly-formed tooth, or providing a comprehensive treatment plan. Concentrated amounts of fluoride are used in a targeted approach, which reduces total body exposure and enhances the success of the treatment.
Tooth Extraction
In certain cases, removing a primary or permanent tooth of your child may be necessary. This usually occurs when an infection or damage to the tooth can’t be fixed with restorative treatments. Extractions may also be needed if the teeth are overcrowded and block new teeth’ growth.
While it is a last resort, tooth extraction is only done when no other measures can be taken to protect the healthy tooth from damage or infections. Anaesthesia, sedation, or happy gas is used to make the procedure comfortable for the child. Our compassionate dentists consider all factors, such as your child’s age, the extent of infection, and medical history before extraction. It is important to note that the extraction is an invasive procedure and must be followed by proper aftercare and healing. The child may experience slight bleeding and mild discomfort in the area for a day or two.
Consult our dentists for full disclosure of the treatments, risks, and aftercare before opting for tooth extraction for your child.
Children’s Dental Care to Help Your Little Ones Move Towards a Healthier Lifestyle
At Bellevue Hill Dental, we understand how important the first few visits to the dentist are for your little ones. This is why we have made our dental clinic child-friendly – with fully equipped facilities to make your children feel safe and comfortable and a team of friendly paediatric dentists and staff to put them at ease.
Bellevue Hill Dental: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Kids!
At Bellevue Hill Dental, we understand that going to the dentist might seem scary for the first time. But worry not; we’re here to make your visit fun and comfortable! Here are some answers to common questions kids might have about visiting the dentist:
1. Why do I need to see a dentist?
Just like superheroes need to keep their gadgets in tip-top shape, you need to take care of your teeth! Dentists are like superheroes for smiles. They help keep your teeth clean and strong, so you can keep chomping on yummy food and showing off your brightest grin.
2. Will it hurt?
Most of the time, seeing the dentist won’t hurt at all. It might feel a little ticklish when we clean your teeth, but we’ll use gentle tools and make sure you’re comfortable. If you ever feel anything that bothers you, just let us know, and we’ll stop and explain what we’re doing.
3. What happens during a dental checkup?
During a checkup, we’ll gently count your teeth and check for any cavities (tiny holes). We might also take some X-rays, which are like special pictures that help us see what’s going on under your teeth. Don’t worry, X-rays are completely painless!
4. What are those scary-looking tools?
Those tools might look funny, but they help us clean your teeth and keep them healthy. Some tools spray water to help wash away sugar bugs, while others help us polish your teeth to make them shiny!
5. Can I pick a fun flavour for my cleaning?
Absolutely! We have yummy flavours like bubblegum or strawberry for our toothpaste and cleaning solutions.
6. What if I have a loose tooth?
Loose teeth are wobbly because your grown-up teeth are getting ready to come in! If your loose tooth is bothering you, we can gently help it come out. Don’t worry, it won’t hurt, and the tooth fairy will be happy to visit!
7. Do I need to brush my teeth?
Brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste is super important! It helps get rid of sugar bugs that can make your teeth unhappy. Brushing keeps your teeth clean and strong, just like superheroes need to keep their suits clean to fight villains!
8. What kind of toothbrush should I use?
A soft-bristled toothbrush that fits comfortably in your hand is perfect. Ask your dentist or parents to help you choose one with a fun design!
9. What about flossing?
Flossing is like using a secret weapon to clean between your teeth, where your toothbrush can’t reach. It helps remove leftover food and keeps your gums healthy!
10. Can I bring a friend or toy to my appointment?
Of course! Feeling nervous is okay, and bringing a friend or toy can help you feel more comfortable. We also have a fun play area at Bellevue Hill Dental to keep you entertained before your appointment.
Remember, at Bellevue Hill Dental, we want to make your dental visit a fun and positive experience! We’re here to answer any questions you might have and help you keep your smile healthy and happy!
