Family & Children’s Dental Practice in Brighton, Queensland
Taking care of your teeth is important at every age, but the habits we pick up in childhood set us up for the rest of our lives. The paediatric dentist services we offer in Brighton, Qld, are focused on not only looking after your children’s dentistry needs but also equipping them with the oral hygiene habits that they will carry with them into adulthood.
We understand that visiting the kids’ dentist can be daunting for youngsters and their parents. But at Brighton Dental Suite, we go the extra mile to make fear of the dentist a thing of the past by ensuring children are relaxed and comfortable throughout their visit.
Children are welcome to bring their favourite toys to accompany them and to make them feel more comfortable. Those visiting our family dentist can enjoy a ride on the chair first, and the dentist will show them every tool and explain what it does before using it. In most cases, kids can even hold the tool themselves and press the buttons to see it work.
We will take things as slow as necessary to ensure your children’s dentist visit is fun and exciting and nothing to worry about. After all, dental care for the whole family starts with the very youngest.
Good Habits Last a Lifetime
By the time children are in their teens, they have adult teeth–which need to last a lifetime. This is why it is so important to establish good oral hygiene habits and practices from childhood.
Six-monthly check-ups ensure any potential issues are identified early and make monitoring overall oral health easier. By the time children are in their teens, brushing and flossing is down to them, but we all know that teenagers are not always as meticulous as they might be! Those check-ups are a second line of defence against decay and will encourage youngsters to take their oral hygiene seriously and not slip into bad habits.
Check-ups are just as important in younger children, as decay generally progresses faster in deciduous teeth. Also, many orthodontic conditions that are best treated early are often diagnosed when children are pre-teens.
A Range of Treatments for Children and Adults Alike
As a family dental practice, Brighton Dental Suite offers all the dental treatments and services that Brisbane families might need, regardless of age. However, some treatments are more common in dentistry for children. These include the following:
- Regular check-ups – check-ups are a part of family dental care for all ages. Still, they play a special role in paediatric dentistry as check-ups are an opportunity to educate children about oral hygiene and reinforce the tooth-cleaning habits parents instill every day.
- X-rays – again, as a family dentist we perform x-rays on patients of every age. But specifically, routine x-rays are essential for children as they can capture possible decay very quickly in baby teeth, allowing the dentist to take preventative measures.
- Fissure sealant – to protect your child’s back teeth from decay, fissure sealants can be applied. These back teeth have deep grooves and are used in chewing, so they are often the ones with cavities and are difficult to clean. The sealant creates a barrier to prevent the tooth from being affected by food, plaque or bacteria. Once applied, we monitor whether the sealant has worn down and can reapply it if needed.
- Orthodontic treatment for teenagers – according to data from the World Health Organisation, around three-quarters of Australian teenagers need orthodontic treatment such as braces. As well as the obvious cosmetic reasons for wanting straight, even teeth, overcrowding and overlapping makes it harder to floss effectively, potentially leading to such issues as gum disease or tooth decay.
- Early interceptive treatment – this includes treatment to deal with such issues as the misalignment of patients’ jaws, severe overcrowding or protruding teeth, or to correct harmful oral habits. When early interceptive treatment is performed on young, growing children between the ages of 7 and 9, it typically takes less time and makes later treatment less complicated.
- Custom mouthguards – youngsters might need a custom mouthguard for various reasons. If they play contact sports like boxing, rugby or football, a mouthguard can protect the teeth from impact damage. Guards can also be used to counter the effects of grinding or clenching teeth, especially while sleeping.
- Pulp therapy – this is treatment similar to a root canal that treats damage to the pulp, which is the substance inside the tooth. Pulp therapy removes infected pulp and prevents further erosion. Children can receive pulp therapy on both deciduous and permanent teeth. Even though deciduous teeth will eventually fall out, it is best to preserve them if possible, to prevent later issues with the way adult teeth erupt.
- White fillings – these are made from the same material used in fissure sealant. White fillings can also be placed successfully in medium size tooth cavities. White fillings are typically less sensitive to hot and cold temperatures, making them a better choice for young patients.
- Stainless steel crowns – in the case of larger cavities in deciduous teeth, a stainless steel crown is often the better treatment option. It covers and protects the remaining tooth structure, and prevents bacteria from infecting the tooth. Stainless steel crowns usually last until the tooth falls out naturally.
- Rotten tooth extraction – as a general rule, preserving a tooth is the first choice, and recommended treatment for all family dental needs takes this into account. However, there are occasions when extraction is the most advantageous. This might be due to overcrowding or to the tooth being so severely damaged that it cannot be saved. Dental extractions are painless, and your family dentist will advise both children and parents on aftercare.
Dealing with a Paediatric Dental Emergency
Severe toothache or some other dental emergency can be frightening and stressful at any age, but especially for children. At Brighton Dental Suite, we provide emergency treatment at short notice and will offer a same-day appointment whenever possible for emergencies, especially trauma.
Child Dental Benefits
See if you’re eligible for up to $1,000 dental care for your child.
Early Interceptive
Treating misaligned jaws from a younger age helps potential overcrowding issues.
Steel Dental Crowns
Stainless steel crowns usually last until the tooth falls out naturally, before adult teeth.
Regular Check-Ups
Going to regular check-ups twice a year can help your child get used to the dentist
Orthodontic Treatment
A common requirement for many a teenager – orthodontic braces.
Pulp Therapy
Pulp Therapy – very similar to Root Canal treatment by treating the pulp of the tooth.
Fissure Sealants
The ideal solution for children requiring non-evasive preventative dentistry, suitable for protecting their molars, are Fissure Sealants.
Custom Mouthguards
We measure and make custom mouthguards as treatment and protection for those partaking in physical activities.
Routine Extractions
A minor damaged tooth may need removal, this is a common procedure that can be done in one visit.
White Fillings
White fillings are designed to prevent any cracks in your teeth from enlarging, this is a common treatment.
Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS)
CDBS offers as much as $1000 in dental services for children up to 18 years of age. Families who qualify for the allowance can have their funds re-set every two years. The CDBS program makes it possible to access necessary care like scale and cleans, fissure sealants, fillings and more. Take advantage of the coverage for no gap checkups!
Contact us today to arrange an appointment for children’s dentistry Brighton with our friendly team! We have late opening hours to cater for busy schedules.
Common Questions for Children Dentistry
What Age is Best For My Child’s First Dental Visit?
The first dental visit is recommended between six and 12 months of age. Most parents book an appointment when the first deciduous teeth start to erupt.
What Should I Do When My Baby’s First Tooth Appears?
Gently wipe your baby’s face regularly with a cloth to remove drool and prevent the development of rashes. Initially, you can rub your baby’s gums with a clean finger. It is also time to book your baby’s first dental visit for detailed advice on teething and oral care.
How Do I Prepare My Nervous Child For The Dentist?
We understand that when a child is scared of the dentist, it can be just as distressing for the parents. Role play games where you play the part of the dentist and gently examine the teeth and gums can help relieve anxiety. You could also bring a favourite toy to help your child feel at ease during the consultation.
What Will Happen at My Child’s First Dental Visit?
The first appointment is mostly about getting to know one another. If your youngster is comfortable, the dentist will do a brief examination of the mouth and gum line. Still, the primary purpose of the appointment is to learn about your baby’s habits and anything that might affect their dental health.
What Are The Most Common Dental Problems in Young Children?
Tooth decay is the most common dental problem in children as well as adults. The fact that children tend to graze exposes their teeth to greater risk from the harmful sugars and acids in food and drink. That’s why structured mealtimes, good dental hygiene and regular check-ups are so important.
Can You Treat Children With Dental Deformities?
Yes. Every child is different, and there are so many conditions, it is difficult to generalise. But children with who have paediatric dentofacial deformities will often need more regular check-ups. Depending on the condition, we might also need to refer them to specialist paediatric dentists due to the added complexity of performing more intrusive treatment on young patients.