School age children and dental health care

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What's the greatest gift you can give your children and teenagers this Christmas holiday time?

A relaxed attitude to dental appointments and a consistent relationship with our dental practice!
We want to see you AND your kids so we can chat and exchange information in an informal manner and you can ask us questions and we can be helpful because we know what you want and like.

Parental involvement

• We know you are concerned about your child and education;
• We know you care about the health and wellbeing of your children
• We know that parenting seems to be getting harder and harder each year. The demands on your time can be overwelming.
• We also know we work together with parents to help their children to dental health

Book in for the Christmas holidays or before you go away.

OUR COMMITTMENT

• To involve you in your children's dental health because we believe the conversations we have with you are as important as any treatment we provide for your kids
• To give your kids a consistent safe environment for dental care
• To share our knowledge of what you and we can do to make for a healthy happy mouths for your kids

Q. My childs baby teeth are still present and the adult teeth are starting to come through - is this a worry?
A. This is quite common. It's often a sign that the mouth won't have enough room for the permanent teeth. See your dentist. Don't upset your child by saying the dentist will need to take teeth out. Let the dentist make the decision. If removing baby teeth won't benefit the child in the long term the dentist may leave nature to take its course.

Baby teeth eruption times: Very approximate
Upper and lower front 4 teeth - 6 to 16 months
Upper and lower canine teeth - 16 to 23 months
Upper and lower molar teeth - 1year to 3 years

Permanent teeth eruption times: Very approximate
Upper and lower front 4 teeth: 6 to 9 years
Upper and lower first molars(six year old molars): 6 to 7 years
Upper and lower canine and premolars: 10 -12 years
Upper and lower second molars(12 year old molars): 11 - 13 years
Upper and lower third molars( wisdom teeth): 17 - 25 years

Q What are fissure sealants and are they a good idea for my kids?
A.The chewing surface of the back molar teeth often has grooves and pits where food collects. To help prevent decay, sealants are painted on these surfaces. These form a barrier to keep food and bacteria out.
Ask the dentist about this preventive treatment. The molar teeth grow from about 6 years of age and are present BEHIND the last baby molar teeth.

Q. Are braces out of date now and when should I worry about my kids teeth being straight?
Some children benefit from treatment at an early age to correct teeth or jaw problems.
Early treatment can sometimes save the need for later treatment or make the final outcome of later treatment much more successful.