Children’s Week And Toothcare
At Ek Dental Surgery

Children, families and staff at EK Dental Surgery in the Glen Waverly area are getting excited about Children’s Week. Children’s Week is a national program recognising the talents, skills, achievements and rights of young people.

Children’s Week in 2017 will be held from Saturday 21 – Sunday 29 or October, and EK Dental Surgery supports the week, by emphasizing the need for early development of good dental hygiene habits and care.

A commitment to a child’s dental health is a commitment to their lifetime dental and overall health!

What Can a Parent Do?

Many parents have a tough time judging how much dental care their kids need. They know they want to prevent cavities, but they don’t always know the best way to do so.

At EK Dental Surgery, we are happy to provide some tips and guidelines.

When Should Kids Start Brushing Their Teeth?

Proper dental care begins before a baby’s first tooth appears. Just because you can’t see teeth doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Teeth begin to form in the second trimester of pregnancy.

Here’s when and how to care for those little teeth:

• Even before teething, run a clean, damp washcloth over the gums to clear away harmful bacteria.
• Once your baby gets teeth, brush them with an infant toothbrush. Use water and a tiny bit of fluoride toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice).
• Once your baby’s teeth touch, you can begin flossing between them.
• Around age 2, your child should learn to spit while brushing. Avoid giving your child water to swish and spit because this might make swallowing toothpaste more likely.
• Kids ages 3 and up should use only a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
• Always supervise kids younger than 6 while brushing, as they are more likely to swallow toothpaste.

Avoid “Baby Bottle Decay”

Putting a baby to sleep with a bottle might be convenient, but it can be bad for a baby’s teeth. When the sugars from juice or milk remain on a baby’s teeth for hours, they can eat away at the enamel, leading to a condition known as bottle mouth. Pitted, pocked, or discoloured front teeth are signs of bottle mouth. Children with severe cases can develop cavities and even need all of their front teeth pulled.

When Should Kids See a Dentist?

The ADA recommends that children see a dentist by their first birthday. At the first visit, your Glen Waverley dentist will explain proper brushing and flossing techniques and do a modified exam, very often as your infant sits on your lap.

These visits can help find problems early and help kids get used to visiting the dentist so they’ll have less fear about visiting the dentist as they grow older.

Limit or avoid certain foods. Sugary foods, juices, candy (especially sticky gummy candy, gummy vitamins, or fruit “roll-ups”) can erode enamel and cause cavities. If your kids eat these kinds of food, have them rinse their mouth or brush their teeth immediately after eating. The same goes after taking sweetened liquid medicines: always have kids rinse or brush when they are done.

As your child’s permanent teeth grow in, your EK Dental Surgery dentist can help prevent decay by applying a sealant to the back teeth, where most chewing is done. This protective coating keeps bacteria from settling in the hard-to-reach crevices of the molars.

How EK Dental Surgery Can Help

At EK Dental Surgery, we make your child’s dental visits fun and exciting. Our friendly dental staff and doctors will cater to the needs of your child and improve their overall dental wellbeing by recommending necessary treatments and giving at-home dental care tips. Having healthy and strong teeth at a young age is an excellent foundation for beautiful smiles that can last a lifetime.

Your Trusted Family Dentist in Glen Waverley

If you have a child in need of treatment, or any other dental issues, do not hesitate to call us at EK Dental Surgery on (03) 9887 8787.

Visit us today and take advantage of CDBS (Child Dental Benefits Schedule) and receive up to $1,000 worth of basic dental treatments over 2 calendar years.

EK Dental Surgery is open from Monday to Saturday to cater to all your dental needs.

Call us on (03) 9887 8787 or make an appointment online.