Home – Kids at Chadstone
Getting a child to their first dentist appointment can be a daunting task, but it’s really something that sets the tone for the rest of their life – and most parents don’t realise just how important it is. At Chadstone Dental, we’ve made a conscious effort to make our kids dentist services all about one thing: taking the stress out of dental care for kids, so they love coming back.
Mums, Dads and carers from all over Chadstone and the surrounding suburbs trust us to give their kids a gentle, age-appropriate dental experience, from their first check-ups right through to when they hit their teenage years. Our clinic is all about making sure kids get the right balance of preventive care, education and reassurance – so they develop good habits early on and can grow up feeling confident when they sit in the dental chair.
Whether it’s just a routine visit or something more urgent – like needing an emergency dentist for kids – our focus always stays the same: giving your child the kind of positive dental experience that sets them up for excellent oral health for life.
We know that for lots of families, the first dental visit is a nerve-wracking experience. It’s totally normal! At Chadstone Dental, we’ve made our first appointments as relaxed and friendly as possible for both kids and parents.
Our dentist for kids will take their time introducing them to the dental clinic, no rushing or surprises. We’re not here to do any treatment – at least, not on the first visit. We just want to get your child used to the idea that this is a safe place, where friendly people will explain things clearly and at their own pace.
If you want to, you can bring your tiny tot along to your own appointment first, so they can see that a dental visit is just part of regular health care. And when you’re ready, it’s really easy to book their first dental appointment at a time that suits your family.
The first visit is pretty quick, nice and gentle – and it’s not uncommon for us to throw in a bit of fun with it. Our kids dentist will use super simple language to guide them through the whole experience.
They might ask your child to open up their “big, crocodile mouth” or hop up onto the chair for a “ride in our special chair” (if they want to, of course – some kids like to sit on a parent’s lap at first and that’s perfectly okay). During the appointment, the dentist will usually:
And before they leave, each child gets a fun little goodie bag with stickers, a balloon and a drawing sheet. It’s a small thing, but it helps them leave feeling proud and brave, and can’t wait for their next visit.
We’re proud to be a part of the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) program – which is essentially a Medicare program designed to help eligible kids get the dental care they need, including check-ups, cleans, X-rays, fillings and other important stuff. You can check your child’s eligibility using the Medicare website before making an appointment.
Of course, there’s a lot you can do at home to protect your child’s teeth between dental visits. A good kids dentist isn’t just about treating problems as they come up – they’re also about helping prevent them in the first place. At Chadstone Dental, we’re all about giving you real, practical advice that actually fits into your real family life – not some idealised routine that’s just impossible to stick to.
What you feed your kids has a huge impact on their dental health every single day. Sugary and sticky snacks like lollies and sweet biscuits are basically just sitting around waiting to cling to their teeth and feed the bacteria that cause decay – so let’s be real, they’re best kept as the odd treat rather than a constant snack. And don’t get me wrong, dried fruit and whole fruit is okay in moderation, but it’s worth remembering they can still be high in sugar and a bit acidic, so a good clean afterwards will do a world of good.
Water is the safest drink, hands down – and milk is pretty close if your child is old enough for it. The thing is, it’s not just about what you give them, but when you give it to them. Try to limit sugary drinks and acidic stuff like juice and soft drinks to mealtimes, rather than letting them graze all day. And of course, water is always there to rinse things out after they’ve had something acidic – and that’s a great way to keep their teeth protected.
Even when you’re doing all the right things, plaque can still start to build up on their teeth pretty quickly. The trick is to get into a good routine. Do this after breakfast and before bed:
Firstly, always give your little ones’ teeth a floss with a small floss holder to get them used to the idea of cleaning between teeth.
Then comes brushing, using a small, soft bristled brush. Until your child can tie their shoelaces by themselves, the adult caregiver should be the primary cleaner. They can help guide the process until the child gets the hang of it, around age six or seven usually. Just remember to focus on all surfaces of the teeth and do little circles along the gumline.
After brushing, spit out the toothpaste but don’t rinse with water. More contact time of toothpaste residue means more protection.
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush with a small head, perfect for toddlers who are just starting to get used to brushing. For little ones, a tiny dab of low fluoride toothpaste, roughly the size of a grain of rice is more than enough. As your child grows and their dentist advises, this amount will increase to about a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.
Preventative care is always the first priority but occasionally, some kids will need a little extra help along the way. At Chadstone Dental, we make sure every procedure is explained in a way that kids can understand, so they know exactly what to expect.
We make sure parents are fully involved in every decision and get a clear understanding of what’s going on before treatment starts.
Regular check-ups are super important for keeping an eye on your child’s dental development, spotting problems early on and making sure they get the best out of their brushing routine. Most kids need a check-up every six to twelve months.
Our pro cleaning sessions get rid of all the plaque and tartar that brushing just won’t shift. And a gentle polish helps keep their teeth nice and smooth so plaque has a harder time building up again.
Fluoride is a bit like a superhero for teeth – it helps strengthen the enamel and keep them safe from decay. The treatments are quick, painless and usually done at the end of a routine visit.
They can be especially helpful for kids who are more prone to cavities, have got braces or are still getting the hang of brushing their teeth.
Sealants are like a protective shield for the deep grooves (fissures) in your child’s back teeth where plaque and bacteria like to hide. We usually recommend them when the adult molars first start to come in, which is usually around age 6 and 12.
The process is simple, painless and non-invasive and provides long-term protection during those tricky teenage years when teeth are more prone to getting cavities.
But what happens if your child has a dental emergency and is in pain? Chadstone Dental is here to help and provides emergency dental services for kids with urgent cases getting priority treatment whenever possible.
Common dental emergencies include chipped or knocked out teeth, bad toothaches, swelling, infections and injuries from sport or falls. We’ll guide you on what to do before you get here and our team will do their best to relieve the pain and protect those teeth for the long term.
So give us a call for an emergency appointment now. Acting fast gives us more options to save those teeth and prevent complications down the line.
Lots of kids should visit the dentist for the first time when their first tooth comes in, or by their first birthday. Early visits can help normalise dental care and get them on the right track for healthy development.
Typically every six to twelve months is about right, although some kids might need more visits depending on their risk level and development.
Fruits and veggies, dairy products, whole grains and lean proteins all do a great job of keeping those teeth strong. And cutting down on sugary snacks and drinks will definitely help reduce the risk of decay.
Lots of kids get nervous about the dentist, but it’s not too late to change that. Calm explanations, familiar routines and a little bit of reassurance can all help your child feel safe and in control.
Folks choose Chadstone Dental because we genuinely care about every single family that passes through our doors. We’ve been supporting the local community for over 25 years, many of us even working with the same families as their kids grow up and become adults.
Get your child on the right track to a lifetime of healthy teeth with a visit today.
At Chadstone Dental we believe great dental care shouldn’t break the bank. We’ll give you a clear understanding of costs before treatment starts and even provide written estimates.
Whether you’re using private health insurance, paying privately or accessing the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) we’re here to help you understand everything upfront so there are no surprises.
Get a quote today and start planning your child’s dental care with confidence.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.
Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
We acknowledge that Chadstone Dental is on the Traditional Lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong peoples of the East Kulin Nations and pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging. We honour and respect the cultural heritage, customs and beliefs of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded