CHILDREN'S DENTISTRY
CHILDREN’S DENTISTRY
Providing high quality care for you and your family
Making dental care visits a fun experience
It's no secret that we love seeing children at our practice.We want to give their smile the best start to life and get them excited about their oral health. That's why we encourage you to bring them with you to your appointments.
This way, they can become familiar with the sights, sounds and smells of our practice and relaxed about their dental visits. Plus, we'll be able to monitor the development of their teeth, gums and facial bones.
Generally, your child's appointment will take very little time and involve very little intervention. But it's an important step in ensuring their oral health is on track.
If you have any questions about paediatric dental care in Penrith, please don't hesitate to get in touch. We're always happy to help.
FLUORIDE TREATMENT
Helping make teeth strong and healthy
Fluoride, calcium and phosphate are minerals found naturally in water and many foods as well as in toothpaste. It’s these minerals that help increase the strength of tooth enamel, making it more resistant to food acid and contribute to the prevention of tooth decay.
A fluoride treatment is advisable for children who have, or are at risk, of developing cavities. It’s a very simple, pain-free process completed by one of our dental team.
Firstly, the teeth are cleaned to remove any food debris or plaque build-up. Then a high concentrate fluoride foam or gel is placed into a dental tray (which is like a small mouthguard), and placed over the teeth for a few minutes. Sometimes a fluoride varnish may be used. This is painted on to the tooth surface.
After the fluoride treatment is complete your child shouldn’t eat or drink for 30 minutes. This will ensure the fluoride has penetrated into the teeth.
CHECK-UP
Getting the all clear
Closely monitoring tooth and facial bone development and oral health is very important for young children. Baby – also called primary – teeth create the foundation for adult teeth, so it’s advised you bring your child to see the Inform Dental team for a check-up every six months.
This will ensure any problems such as teeth not coming through straight or, at all, bone structure development or tiny cavities can be detected and treated early. It will also give the Inform Dental dentists an opportunity to assess any potential orthodontic problems in their infancy.
During your child’s check-up their teeth and gums will be examined and any plaque build-up will be cleaned and removed. Your child may also receive a fluoride treatment for added protection.
MOUTHGUARDS
The best on-field protection
Of all the sports equipment your child may need, the most essential item in their kit bag should be a properly fitted mouthguard.
A customised mouthguard perfectly moulded to the teeth and mouth shape will not just protect teeth, it will also make it easier to breathe and add extra cushioning against an accidental blow to the face. A customised mouthguard can also reduce the possibility or severity of a concussion. A mouthguard should be worn not just when playing but also during practice.
To care for your mouthguard, ensure it is kept away from heat and direct sunlight as this can cause it to warp and affect its fit. You should also rinse it after each time you use it and place it in its designated case to dry. This will prevent the growth of bacteria.
FISSURE SEALANTS
Getting into the groove
Fissure seals are small preventative coverings that are placed on teeth that are in danger of developing decay due to their anatomy, which may be excessively bumpy or groovy in the fissure of the tooth. These types of teeth have a higher risk of accumulating plaque and food in the grooves and are therefore more susceptible to developing decay.
Once the tooth coloured material is flowed through these grooves of the tooth, it makes it more difficult for plaque and food to remain caught in the grooves, and also makes it easier to brush.
The material used for this procedure may be a flowable composite resin or for teeth that have not been in the mouth more that two years, glass ionomer cement would be used.
To ensure the fissures sealant is still in place as your child’s teeth develop it’s important you bring your child in to see the Inform Dental team every six months.