Paediatric Dentistry in Northbridge

We love kids at Northbridge Dentists! Dr Vickers and Dr Chang are parents to two young kids, and Dr Audrey is a mother, so they can appreciate the importance of caring for your child. Your local Northbridge Dentist takes great pride in making their visit as comfortable and care-free as possible.
Having Netflix on the roof and a goodie bag for all new patients tends to help too!

We understand that you may have many questions regarding your child's dental health. If you can't find answers to some of the common questions at the bottom of the page, chances are the dentists have heard them before and are happy to answer them at your appointment. Alternatively, ask a dentist at the bottom of the page. 

We have special reduced prices for kids everyday preventative treatment and yes we cover children under the CDBS - Child Dental Benefit Scheme. 

Exam, clean and fluoride for kids

Often from the ages of 3-5 years old when a child first comes to the dentist, we aim simply to "count their teeth" and get them used to the dental environment. It's important to come and get teeth checked early-on as we can screen for a range of issues including decay, plaque build-up and growth and development.

What are Fissure Sealants?

Fissure sealants are a filling material placed along the fissure (the grooves in the back molars), which prevent plaque from becoming trapped here. When the adult molar teeth erupt (first molars around age 6-7 and then second molars around the age of 12-13), deep, complex and difficult to clean fissures can then be identified and protected. 

See our Blog about Fissure Sealants HERE

General Dentistry

Fillings, extractions, mouthguards, orthodontics and many things in between can be performed as required, just like for adults. There is also a whole host of topics we can discuss if you are curious. The dentists at Northbridge Dentists have a wealth of information including (but not limited to) advice on how to get your child to co-operate with brushing, diet advice, thumb sucking, tooth development concerns, orthodontic and growth pattern assessment and much more. 

Early orthodontics

Will my child need braces?

While your dentist doesn’t have a crystal ball, many orthodontic problems can be detected early (although the staging of treatment depends on the type of problem). Understand that jaws and faces grow, and issues that may seem problematic early on, may actually correct themselves with time, although some may not. Your dentist can study the growth of the jaws, position and alignment of baby teeth and take into account the parents history of braces/growth to form an idea.  

You can read more about orthodontic treatment here or Invisalign treatment here

Custom mouthguards at Northbridge Dentists

Many kids begin contact sports and it especially important to protect newly erupting teeth to ensure a lifetime of smiles. A mouthguard can still be fitted when teeth are changing (losing baby teeth and growing new adult teeth). The best mouthguard you can get is a custom-made mouthguard from your dentist. Chemist and sport-shops may stock “boil-and-bite” mouthguards. These are not properly fitted to protect against all impact types and intensities.

FAQs

When should my little one have their first check-up?

According to the ADA (Australian Dental Association), ideally the first check-up should be at 12 months. However from a practical point of view, most little ones won’t tolerate sitting in the dental chair until about 3 years of age. At this early stage the dentist usually just wants to have a look and let the child go for a “ride in the chair” and generally get used to the dental environment. In some cases a clean, fluoride or screening x-rays may be required.

My child still hasn’t got their adult tooth through? Should I be worried?

While most parents get concerned when children at school are losing teeth and their child isn’t, chances are they just need a bit more time before it’s their turn. However in instances where teeth are delayed in eruption by more than 12 months, a dentist may chose to take an x-ray to check for the presence of the adult tooth. Most of the time, the tooth is there, but in rare instances, adult teeth can be missing or impacted.

Do fissure sealants last forever? 

Most fissure sealants will wear-away with time, but even so, the tooth is at a decreased risk of decay. The longevity depends on a number of factors including patient hygiene, grinding, diet etc. 

See our Blog about Fissure Sealants HERE

Mottled or patchy looking adult teeth?

There are a number of possible reasons for this. These range from: Molar-Incisor Hypoplasia (MIH), Fluorosis, Antibiotic Staining, Poor Plaque Control and other Formation Defects. For more information on these and other conditions and how to manage them, contact your friendly Northbridge Dentists Team.