Children's Dentistry

This is one of the most common questions a parent will ask, but thankfully, the answer is quite simple! Our patients are as young as one year old, as it’s important to acquaint your infant with the dentist as their mouth and soft tissue begin to grow and change. This also allows our team to treat any minor issues as they arise, preventing them from turning into more complex issues down the track.

Additionally, it’s vital that your child becomes familiar both in the dental practice environment and with our dentists, as this helps to prevent dental anxiety as they grow older. We believe that visiting the dentist should be a positive experience for all, which is why we give littlies a ride in our dental chair to get them giggling. Or perhaps they’re more comfortable sitting in mum’s lap for the first few visits.

Even from the very beginning, we recommend that you bring your infant with you to either your appointment or those of other family members, as this also allows your child to familiarise themselves with the dentist without being the focus of attention (to prevent further overwhelm).

By age 2-3, we’ll begin screening for other orofacial concerns such as growth patterns, enlarged tonsils, thumb sucking and airway blockages. Depending on your child’s comfort level, we’ll try to give their teeth a light brush and see further into their mouth to check on their oral development. We’ll also screen for tongue restructions, which might impede speech patterns or proper tooth alignment.

At age 5, we’ll plan to take your child’s first X-rays. By this point in development, we’ll have a chance to peer into permanent (adult) molar formation and screen for decay in hard-to-clean areas. Many of your child’s primary baby teeth will still be in place until they’re 12-13 years old, so it’s crucial to ensure their health for as long as possible.