Children's Dental

At Shibata Dental, we have Ms Renae Kumar, a friendly Oral Health Therapist working who is specifically qualified to treat children in their own fun, educational and caring approach.

Routine oral examinations from a young age can assist in providing a comfortable and positive experience for your child.

Children's Teeth

When should I take my children to the dentist?

It is recommended that children go to the dentist with their parents as soon as teeth are present. A regular six monthly visit is recommended as it will help your child get used to the surroundings and prepare them for future visits. The earlier these visits begin, the more relaxed the child will be.

How should I clean their teeth?

Cleaning your child's teeth should be part of the daily hygiene routine. You may find it easier to stand or sit behind your child, cradling their chin in your hand so you can reach their top and bottom teeth more easily. When the first teeth start to come through, using a children's toothbrush with a small smear of toothpaste is suggested. It is important to supervise your child's brushing until they are at least seven.

Once all the teeth have come through, use a small-headed soft toothbrush in small circular movements and try to concentrate on one section at a time. Don't forget to brush gently behind the teeth and onto the gums. If possible, make tooth brushing a routine - preferably in the morning, and last thing before your child goes to bed. Remember to encourage your child, as praise will often get results!

Should I use a fluoride toothpaste?

Fluoride comes from a number of different sources including toothpaste, specific fluoride applications and perhaps the drinking water in your area. These can all help to prevent tooth decay (caries).You can get low-fluoride toothpastes, and the general rule is to use a small smear of toothpaste up to 5 years; from 5 to 7 use slightly less than a pea size and a normal pea size from 7 years upwards. Children should be supervised up to the age of 7, and you should make sure that they spit out the toothpaste and don't swallow any if possible.

What sort of brush should I use?

There are many different types of children's toothbrushes available, including brightly coloured brushes, some of which change colour, those with favourite characters on the handles and timers that all encourage children to brush their teeth. The most important point is to use a small-headed toothbrush with soft, nylon bristles, suitable for the age of your child.

What could cause my child to have toothache?

Toothache is painful and upsetting, especially in children, and the main cause is still tooth decay. This is due to too much sugar, too often, in the diet.

Teething is another problem and starts when children are around 6 months old. Symptoms may include high temperature, red cheeks, swollen gums and a tendency to dribble. It can be painful, but is often eased by biting on a cold, smooth surface.

A child's sugar-free pain relief medicine or teething gel will often ease teething pains.

How can I prevent tooth decay in my child?

The main cause of tooth decay is not the amount of sugar in the diet, but how often it is eaten or drunk. The more often your child has sugary foods or drinks, the more likely they are to have decay. It is therefore important to keep sugary foods to mealtimes only. If you want to give your child a snack, try to stick to cheese, vegetables and fruit, but not dried fruit.

It is also worth remembering that some processed baby foods also contain quite a lot of sugar. Try to check the list of ingredients: the higher up the list sugar is, the more there is in the product.

Thorough brushing twice a day, particularly last thing at night, will help to prevent tooth decay.

What if my child is very nervous about going to the dentist?

Children can sense fear in their parents, so it is important not to let your child feel that a visit to the dentist is something to be worried about. Try to be supportive if your child needs to have any dental treatment, and if you have any fears of your own about going to the dentist, it is suggested not to discuss them in front of your child.

Regular visits to the dentist are essential in helping your child to get used to the surroundings and what goes on there. A child can be much more anxious if it is their first visit to a dental practice. Pain and distress can happen at any time and it is important to prepare your child with regular visits.

If your child already has a good relationship with the dentist/oral health therapist, it is much easier for the child, parent and operator if treatment does become necessary later on.