Is it important to take my child to a paediatric dentist as a baby? Dentists recommend taking your child to the paediatric dentist with the appearance of the first teeth or by 12 months of age. This is to provide parents with information about preventing later dental problems. Prevention is much better than waiting for a problem to develop, because by then, dental treatment
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There are many factors involved in tooth decay and it is not just sugary foods that can contribute. In fact, any type of carbohydrate can be turned into acid by the bacteria in the mouth, even things like bread, savoury biscuits, rice, potato, and pasta. Most people don’t realize that it is the number of times per day that food is eaten that is
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My child’s molars have no enamel and are sensitive to eating and brushing – what is happening? Some children can have enamel that does not form properly- it is soft and chalky and prone to rapid breakdown. This can be caused by many things including illnesses, birth trauma, fevers as well as developmental defects. It is very important that if you suspect this has
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Why has my paediatric dentist recommended stainless steel crowns? These are used when there is advanced decay or breakdown of tooth structure either through tooth decay or enamel defects. In these situations, normal white fillings have poorer success rates and will often not last. This means that your child is at risk of having repeated treatments on the same tooth. Baby back teeth do
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Ideally, dental visits should start at a young age. This is to help you take good care of your child’s teeth and to prevent tooth decay and other dental problems. A child who has had a number of simple visits to their dentist has had a chance to build some confidence and trust in the dental teamand is much more likely to develop a
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Many children go to the dentist because they have a cavity in a tooth. There is always the question of whether or not a child should be given local anaesthetic for restoring a cavity.   It is necessary to understand that decay can only be removed completely when proper pain management is used. This is because dentine, the second layer of teeth, is sensitive
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Antibiotics will only work in the short term. Once the antibiotics are finished, the pain may or may not come back. In cases where there is no apparent pain, the infection may become chronic. Until the cause of the pain is removed (ie the non vital nerve), the infection will remain. On close inspection, pus may be seen to be draining from the gum.
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You can try Panadol according to the dosage recommended for your child’s age and weight but it is very important to go to the dentist as soon as possible. Pain on eating usually means there is inflammation inside the pulp (nerve) of the tooth. Once this occurs, it is probably too late to place a simple filling, and more complex treatment may be required
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A few simple steps will help your child to grow up smiling Why are baby teeth important? Baby teeth are important for your child to eat properly, smile, speak, and keep space for adult teeth. The back teeth need to last until high school. What can be done to prevent tooth decay? Make sure you brush and floss your own teeth Visit the dentist
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Choosing the best toothpaste for your child can be very confusing given the numerous choices at the supermarket. Children should be supervised when brushing and should be encouraged to rinse and spit the toothpaste out after brushing. Low fluoride toothpastes are less effective at preventing cavities. When you are confident your child  is rinsing and spitting the toothpaste out after brushing, it is advisable
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