The appearance of primary teeth is commonly called ‘teething’. Many babies experience some discomfort during teething. Most babies are irritable when new teeth break through their gums. Signs and symptoms of teething can include:

• Frequent crying and crankiness
• A mild fever
• Reddened cheeks and drooling
• Loss of or reduced appetite
• Mild diarrhoea
• Sucking or gnawing on toys
• Pulling the ear on the same side as the erupting tooth

It is extremely important not to ignore symptoms such as fever and diarrhoea in your child. If these symptoms occur, seek medical advice to eliminate other reasons for the symptoms. To help relieve the discomfort of teething, here are some recommendations from the ADA:

• Wash your hands and gently rub your baby’s gums with a clean finger
• Give your baby a teething ring or wet washcloth to bite. Teething rings can be chilled in the refrigerator before being used to help manage discomfort associated with teething (do not put teething rings in the freezer)
• Give your baby non-sweetened rusks to chew on

Signs and symptoms may appear and disappear over several days. Ask your dentist or pharmacist for advice before using any pain relief specifically created for babies and toddlers. Never give aspirin to a baby or young child.

Even before your baby’s teeth appear, you should gently wipe their gums with a moistened soft cloth once a day. Once your baby’s primary teeth start to appear, you should use a toothbrush specially designed for babies, with a small head and soft, rounded bristles to gently massage their teeth and gums. Up to the age of 18 months, your baby’s teeth should be brushed with plain water, once a day after the last feed in the evening.

Tooth brushing for your baby can be done more easily with them lying on a bed or change table. The time taken to brush can be increased slowly until the baby is able to tolerate a two minute brushing as a toddler.

Once your toddler has become accustomed to brushing and during their third year, introduce brushing teeth twice a day in the morning after their breakfast and in the evening just before bed.

There are special low-fluoride toothpastes that have been developed for young children. These can be introduced from around the age of 18 months – read the directions on the toothpaste for age suitability. Only a smear of toothpaste is needed, and encourage your child to spit out the excess toothpaste.

If your child isn’t able to spit out after brushing. continue using a smear of low fluoride toothpaste and wipe their mouth with a washer or tissue. It’s really important to keep brushing their teeth and there is variability in the age at which children learn to spit out.

Store all toothpastes out of your child’s reach. Some small children love the taste of toothpaste and will eat it if given the chance. Consuming toothpaste can cause dental fluorosis, which is why you need to keep toothpaste out of reach of young children.

Important:

If you do not have access to fluoridated drinking water then it may be necessary to vary this advice. Consult with your local oral health professional regarding your specific individual needs.

Some two year-olds are ready for a ride in the dental chair while some three year-olds are still only able to cope with a “knee-to-knee” examination. Individual variations must be taken into account and this can be done through observation during the consultation phase of the appointment.

In order for an intervention to be successful, it must be both timely and relevant. The avoidance of early childhood caries and the difficulties associated with its management are dependant upon the provision of information that will allow for behavioral modification early enough in the life of the child. The one year-old visit to the dentist is focused on oral health risk assessment through a structured consultation with parents and the provision of age appropriate individualized preventive information. A ‘knee-to-knee’ examination (pictured right) can be performed in either the dental clinic or a consultation room, but is not the main objective of the visit. Time spent in discussion with parents allows the child time to become accustomed to the environment as well as to the clinician, and may allow for an easier examination. White coats, masks and gloves are generally dispensed with for such a non-invasive examination, but hand-washing procedures are strictly observed. A child visiting his/her medical practitioner for an ENT examination will be approached in much the same way.

Contact us to book your child’s one year-old dental check!

From around the age of four to five children should begin to learn how to brush and care for their own teeth. Children do not have the skills to properly clean their own teeth until around eight years of age, so until then, tooth brushing should be a combined effort by you and your child. The teeth should be brushed in the morning and at night.

Choose a position where you can easily see your child’s mouth. For example, sit your child on your lap or stand behind your child with their head tilted back slightly.

Move the toothbrush gently in small circles to clean the front surfaces of your child’s teeth. To reach inner surfaces, tilt the toothbrush. Avoid side-to-side scrubbing, which can damage your child’s teeth and gums. Brush the biting and grinding surfaces of back teeth with a firm back and forth motion, and be sure to clean every surface of every tooth.

In total, you should aim to brush for about two minutes. It will take time for your child to allow you to clean their teeth for that length of time, however it’s important that their teeth are brushed twice a day, working up to two minutes as they get older.

Replace toothbrushes every three months or when bristles appear frayed. Frayed bristles are not effective at removing plaque and may scratch your child’s gums.

Did you know?

Plaque-disclosing tablets or drops (available from your dentist or pharmacist) contain food dye that turns plaque pink or red. Using these can be a fun way to help you and your child to see if the brushing technique you are using removes plaque from every tooth surface.

When your child is about two and a half years old, you can try introducing them to flossing their teeth. Flossing helps remove decay causing bacteria from between their teeth and keeps their gums healthy. It will take time for your child to get used to having their teeth flossed, however, ideally their teeth should be flossed twice a week in areas where the teeth are touching.

Slide the floss between your child’s teeth and gently work it up and down, against the surfaces of each tooth. Do not snap the floss down between the teeth as the floss may hurt their gums. After flossing, have your child rinse with water, then brush (or if you prefer, brush then floss) your child’s teeth.

If you find flossing your child’s teeth difficult, ask your dentist to show you how to do it. Floss holders are available, which can make flossing easier for some children.

The normal number of baby teeth is 20 and these are all lost to make way for the permanent (adult) teeth. The normal number of adult teeth is 32; this includes four wisdom (third molar) teeth. The transition to the permanent dentition starts at around six years of age and continues until around 12 years of age. It generally occurs in two stages. First the upper and lower front incisor (8) teeth are lost and replaced with permanent incisors and the four six year old molars erupt behind the baby molars. This is usually completed by eight years of age. In the second stage the remaining baby (12) teeth are lost and replaced by 12 adult teeth, eight premolars and four second molars.

Some children do not develop a full set of permanent teeth. The most commonly missing teeth are the upper lateral incisors, second premolars and third molars (wisdom teeth). Most children who have missing teeth will only have one or two missing teeth. Children who have more than this number missing may have a special genetic condition called ectodermal dysplasia.

Teeth are usually lost symmetrically in pairs and if one side is lagging behind then it is best to investigate with your dentist early rather than later. Occasionally an extra (supernumerary) tooth may be blocking the eruption path of the adult tooth causing a problem with both the loss of the baby tooth and the alignment and proper development of the adult tooth. This problem is best dealt with earlier rather than later and is most common in the upper incisor area.

Thumb sucking is a natural reflex in babies and young children. Most children lose interest in thumb sucking and dummies at two to four years of age.

Children who continue to suck their thumb or fingers after their permanent teeth have appeared risk developing crooked teeth, particularly if the sucking is forceful or frequent. Also, speech defects may arise, especially with ‘s’ and ‘th’ sounds.

Gently encourage your child to give up thumb sucking. See your dentist for advice if your child cannot stop thumb sucking by the end of their first year at school. In rare cases, referral to a child psychologist may be helpful.

Sometimes baby teeth just hang around for too long. They become loose then tighten again as the emerging adult tooth becomes increasingly deflected from an ideal position in the dental arch. Some baby teeth just seem to be hanging by a thread making eating and brushing very difficult and painful. Plaque can build up around the gum line of both the baby tooth and the emerging adult tooth placing it at risk of early decay or at least mineral loss. The gums may bleed excessively on brushing causing distress.

Patience is the first course of action as many of these baby teeth will eventually be lost naturally. If pain and gum infection become a problem so that eating and brushing are an ordeal then removal of the tooth may be necessary. If the baby tooth has become quite tight again and the adult tooth is deflected from an ideal position then it may be necessary to remove the baby tooth. Some children suffer from this problem repeatedly while others will have an isolated problem with only one or two teeth affected. The most common position is in the lower two central incisors. The next most common is the upper two central incisors.

The loose baby tooth can sometimes be removed by applying some topical anaesthetic gel to the gum line around the tooth. The gel is flavored and after three to five minutes causes the gum to become ‘numb’ or ‘frozen’. It is then possible to pinch the tooth away with some light pressure and a piece of gauze. Parents may be able to do this for their child by using a preparation like ‘bonjela’ to ‘numb’ the gum first. If the tooth does not come away easily it may be quite painful for the child if you persist. Dentists are generally quite experienced at determining whether or not local anaesthetic will be necessary.

A firm baby tooth may require the use of local anaesthetic. Topical anaesthetic is first applied for three to five minutes and then an injection of local anaesthetic is used to totally ‘numb’ or ‘freeze’ the area. The injection can be quite painful for a second or two and it is best to warn the child that it may be a little painful or uncomfortable similar to a ‘mozzie’ bite or pinch. Some children may not feel anything at all.

Children respond well to a kind approach and firm instructions such as remaining very still and opening wide. They understand the importance of being safe and minimizing the discomfort. Your dentist has developed a sensitive and positive approach to the use of local anaesthetic and is very experienced in safe and reliable injection techniques. It is best to keep the answers to your child’s questions brief and simple. If you are unsure about the precise nature of the procedure then it is best to tell your child to ask their dentist for information on the day of the procedure.

It is not usually necessary to use any other form of sedation or pain relief for this type of simple procedure. Post operative pain management is usually unnecessary. Although the gums bleed profusely with the loss of a tooth it is usually short lived and settles best with some pressure by biting on a pad of clean gauze as supplied by your dentist.

Diet plays an important role in the health of your child’s teeth, so developing healthy eating habits early in life will help your child form the building blocks for strong and healthy adult teeth.

Dental decay rates in young children are rising, and this is related to changes in what and how some children eat. Fewer children are drinking fluoridated tap water, and more children are consuming sugary, processed foods and drinks.

Good oral hygiene begins at birth, so make your child’s smile count.

Babies and toddlers are at just as much risk of dental decay as an older child or adult, so caring for your baby’s teeth needs to begin at birth. By establishing good oral hygiene habits early, your child will be well equipped to have healthy teeth for life.

If your toddler resists teeth cleaning or struggles to sit still for two minutes, try these suggestions:

• Consider a battery-powered tooth brush, which adds novelty to cleaning their teeth
• Sing nursery rhymes or play a favourite song while you help your child brush their teeth
• Offer a reward every time your toddler allows you to brush for two minutes
• Encourage your child to practise teeth cleaning (under your supervision) to instill good oral hygiene habits in them from an early age. Some toddlers like to be independent so it is a good idea for them to use one toothbrush while you use another one and take turns at brushing
• Make flossing and brushing as much fun as you can to avoid any negative association or resistance. Be sure to talk to your dentist if you need more advice

It is important to set a good example. Children tend to imitate their parents’ behaviours. If oral hygiene and looking after your teeth are important to you, they will be important to your child. Talk to your child about the importance of healthy teeth. A child who understands that teeth have to last a lifetime is more likely to take care of them.

Visit your dentist regularly to maintain your own oral health, which will in turn benefit your child.

What to do if your child chips or knocks out a tooth

When babies are learning to walk they are prone to falls and injuries to their mouth and teeth. Knowing how to administer first aid in case of a dental injury is important. Your child’s primary teeth are just as important as their permanent teeth.

If your child knocks out a primary tooth you should not attempt to put the tooth back in its socket because it may cause damage to the permanent tooth or lead to infection.

If your child knocks out a permanent tooth it is important to put this back into the socket. You should avoid touching the root section of the tooth. If the tooth is dirty, rinse it quickly, preferably with milk, and replace it in the socket. Look at the teeth either side of where the tooth has come from, use the shape and position as a guide. It is important that once you have replaced the tooth that you see a dentist immediately. If you are uncomfortable doing this or you are finidng it too diffuclt the alternative is to put the tooth in milk and see a dentist immediately. The sooner a knocked out tooth is replaced, the better the long-term prognosis for the tooth. Teeth that are replaced within thirty minutes have a good chance of surviving long term, but it is well worth replacing a tooth even if it has been out for a number of hours

It is important to seek urgent dental treatment for your child to check if any pieces of tooth remain in the socket and to ensure no other damage has been done.

To manage bleeding, apply pressure directly to the injured area with a clean cloth or gauze pack. This will help to control the bleeding. To minimise swelling, you can apply ice or cold compresses to your child’s face at the site of the injury. If the injury is severe it may require stitches. Your child may require some age-appropriate pain relieving medication.

With any dental injury, it’s important to always seek professional advice from a dentist, or if a dentist is not available, seek advice from a healthcare professional.

Your paediatric dentist fee covers the procedure they perform whilst in the theatre and all post operative care. You will be issued with a receipt the next working day after your child’s surgery, which you can then take to your Private Health Fund. Payment of the full amount shown on the cost estimate is require two weeks before the scheduled date of the procedure to confirm your child’s theatre session. Our office will contact you to organise this payment but you are welcome to contact us regarding this at any time. The cost estimate for the dental treatment is as accurate as possible, but sometimes more extensive treatment, including pulp treatment, extractions or space maintainers, may be necessary once the full extent of your child’s needs is revealed on the day of the procedure. Any difference between the cost estimate and actual treatment fees must be paid for on the next working day. Any overpayment will be refunded on the next working day.

Anaesthetist fees are due either prior or invoiced to you after the surgery. You may receive a rebate from Medicare and your fund for this account. We recommend you phone the anaesthetist’s room to establish what these fees are.

If you are not privately covered we recommend you contact the Day Surgery t establish the day surgery and theatre fees, which you will be required to pay upon admission.

You will be able to remain with your child until they go to sleep. You will not be able to remain in the operating theatre whilst the treatment Is being performed. You will be called into recovery as soon as your child begins to wake up.

The hospital or Day Surgery facility will contact you on the telephone number you have provided them on the day before the procedure (usually around 4pm) to clarify what time your child will need to arrive and their fasting instructions. Your child will need to be fasted, preferably from midnight the night before the operation, which means nothing to eat or drink, including milk, for at least 6 hours prior to the anaesthetic. Please stop all vitamins and supplements 5 days prior to the surgery date. The surgery list goes in order from youngest to eldest and also children that have special requirements and needs.

Once the surgery has been completed, we will send you an itemised receipt to the nominated email address you have given us so you can make a claim. We are unable to process the claim for you before the surgery has been completed.

Please give the practice a call on 9194 4610 to let us know as soon as you can. If the anaesthetist cancels the procedure due to illness of your child then your payment for the dental treatment will be held over for the next available time.

All items on the treatment plan provide to you by Dr Scott are considered to be necessary. Treatment plans are valid for 3 months so we recommend having the surgery done within that timeframe. If left untreated, your child may require more treatment to be done.

Please dress your child in comfortable, warm clothes and if your child is not reliably “dry” at night please bring a change of clothes with you.

Please observe your child very closely for the next 24 hours. Your child’s balance may be affected so vigorous physical activity should be limited.

If bleeding reoccurs encourage your child to bite on a clean folded tissue or gauze pack for 5-10 minutes. Some slight oozing following extractions is normal.

For pain, give paracetamol (e.g Panadol) or ibuprofen (e.g Nurofen) according to the manufacturer’s directions.

Do not give aspirin. Aspirin is not recommended for children and may cause further bleeding after some dental procedures.

A normal diet is recommended avoiding snacking and sugary foods as usual.
Gentle mouth rinsing with warm salt water is recommended after eating for the next 2-3 days.

Make sure your child drinks lots of water to maintain hydration.

Please brush our child’s teeth as usual taking care adjacent to extraction sites.

Please call the practice on 9194 4610 if you have any concerns.

All molars and premolars have fissures on the biting surface of the tooth. If fissures are very deep and narrow, toothbrush bristles cannot fit or reach inside to clean the teeth and remove food particles. Trapped food attracts bacteria, which multiply within the fissures and make a sticky coating called plaque. Acids produced by the bacteria in the plaque eat into the tooth enamel and cause decay. A fissure is five times more likely to develop decay than other tooth surfaces. Fissure sealants are plastic coatings that fill the fissures and protect teeth from dental plaque and acids.

Many studies have shown that fissure sealants are effective in reducing the occurrence of tooth decay. Treatment is painless and non-invasive, with a coat of the sealant applied to a cleaned tooth. The liquid sets in seconds and forms a physical barrier that stops food, bacteria and plaque acids from contacting the tooth surface. Fissure sealants may be white, clear or tinted.

A dental extraction is the removal of a tooth. Extractions are performed for a wide variety of reasons, including tooth decay that has destroyed enough tooth structure to render the tooth non-restorable or resulted in abscess formation. A dental abscess is due to infection in the bone surrounding the roots of a decayed or traumatized tooth. Extractions of impacted or problematic wisdom teeth are routinely performed, as are extractions of some permanent teeth to make space for orthodontic treatment (braces).