Little Smiles Matter: Your Trusted Children's Dentist in Perth

Here are some of the dental problems that are common in children and how parents may help prevent them:

• Tooth decay.
  A report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare said that around 2 in 5 children aged 5 to 10 years old face oral diseases, and in most cases, the common problem is tooth decay. Minimising sugary and acidic snacks, practising good oral hygiene, and receiving fluoride treatment may help prevent tooth decay.
• Gingivitis.
  Gingivitis is also commonly seen among kids. It is the early stage of gum disease, characterised by swelling and easily bleeding gums. Parents should guide their kids to practise good dental hygiene to reduce the risk of gum irritation, which may lead to gum disease.
• Orthodontic problems.
  Most kids experience crowding, tooth gaps, and other orthodontic issues. The common reason is bad oral habits like thumb sucking, while some cases occur because of family history. Early orthodontic consultation can be an important way to monitor the development of their teeth and allow kids to receive interceptive orthodontic treatment.
• Bad breath.
  Halitosis, or bad breath, is prevalent in children and can be caused by various factors, such as dry mouth, poor oral hygiene, and gingivitis. Fortunately, with good oral hygiene, this problem can be prevented.
• Teeth sensitivity.
  Most parents notice their children have sensitive teeth, and the possible culprit can be the development of their permanent teeth. Consider routine dental checkups, and ensuring your child has good dental hygiene at home may help lower the risk of teeth sensitivity.
• Dental emergencies.
  Dental trauma is relatively prevalent in kids due to accidents and sports injuries. Parents may want to consider custom mouthguards and watch them during play time to prevent tooth damage.

• Practise at home.
  You may want to role-play with your kid at home before the dental visit to help them visualise and set expectations about their first dental appointment. You can use dental instrument toys or other similar things to count their teeth or check their mouth.
• Don’t bribe your child.
  The ADA reminds parents to avoid using bribery to convince their children to visit the dentist. Doing so can cause many negative reinforcements.
• Explain with simple words.
  Instead of bribery, we encourage you to talk with your child and explain what their dental visits entail. Using kid-friendly language is important to avoid overwhelming them or causing anxiety. Leave the complicated part to the child’s dentist, who has more experience explaining dental procedures to kids.
• Brush their teeth before the appointment.
  Make them brush their teeth before going to the dental clinic. This way, it is relatively easier for the children’s dentist to start the work.

• Be a good role model.
  Brushing your teeth together with your kid can be a great way to teach them the basics of good oral hygiene. It can also be a way to bond with them.
  
  
• Help them brush. Help your child brush their teeth until they can do it themselves. If your little one is younger than six years old, it’s important to watch them do it.
  
  
• Reinforce good habits.
  Remember that rewarding is different from bribing. This should be done after they brush their teeth or form good habits.
  
  
• Make brushing fun.
  Buy a cute toothbrush and watch videos online that can help encourage your child to brush their teeth and understand the importance of doing it routinely.
  
  
• Remind them every time.
  Always gently remind them to brush their teeth after eating and before sleeping.
  
  
• Teach the consequences of poor dental hygiene.
  You can start with how bacteria can multiply in the mouth and attack the teeth. Explain the possible effects of neglecting to keep their teeth clean, which results in painful dental problems.

One way to help your child overcome their fear of going to the dentist is by role-playing the experience. Taking turns being the dentist and the patient can be a good approach, as it encourages them to act out a scenario and familiarise themselves with what to expect when they arrive. This will assist your child in developing a better outlook and feeling more comfortable with their visit to the dentist. Talk with them, but be mindful that your word choice also matters. Avoid using words like “grind,” “scrape,” or “pointy dental instruments” to avoid contributing to their fear. You can discuss options with the children’s dentist to help your little one receive comfortable care during their dental appointment.

Here’s the list of foods and drinks that you should be watching out for to prevent cavities:

• Sour candies.
  It contains different kinds of acids that can erode tooth enamel over time. Additionally, they are chewy and tend to stay in the mouth longer, making decay more likely to occur.
  
  
• Dried fruit.
  Most dried fruits have a high sugar content and should be minimised.
  
  
• Lollies.
  When crushed in the mouth, lollies can get stuck in the crevices of the teeth and lead to tooth decay.
  
  
• Soft drinks and sports drinks. These beverages contain sugars and acids, which can erode your kid’s teeth when mixed with saliva.