Dental Checks - 0 to 6 Years

Children’s teeth should be checked early. The Child Health Record currently recommends two checks before the age of three and a half years. This will help in early diagnosis and prevention of dental disease.

It is recommended that your child have a dental professional (dentist or dental therapist) examination as early as possible. A Maternal and Child Health nurse or paediatrician may also do a mouth check. They will be able to identify obvious dental disease. Information on dental care will be given to you at this time.

Any signs of disease should be referred to a dental professional. The Maternal and Child Health nurse may refer you to a dentist or your local Community Dental Clinic or School Dental Service.

Recommended mouth checks
Mouth checks with your Maternal and Child Health nurse are currently recommended at the ages of:

• 18 to 21 months
• Three to three and a half years.

Caring for your child’s teeth

Six to eight months
Good dental care starts as soon as your child’s first tooth appears. To help prevent oral health concerns:

• Avoid adding sugar, salt and fat to solid foods.
• Do not use lemon juice to relieve teething pain. The acid can damage erupting teeth.
• Avoid using a bottle or breast as a comforter.
• Clean the teeth from as soon as they appear in the mouth (usually between six and nine months). Use a damp piece of clean gauze or face washer; wrap it around a finger and wipe each tooth front and back. Continue this as new teeth erupt.
• Clean your child’s teeth with a small, soft toothbrush and water, from 12 months of age.

18 to 21 months
To help prevent oral health problems:

• Try to wean your child from bottles and dummies from 12 months.
• Encourage water as the preferred drink when thirsty.
• Encourage nutritious foods as snacks and drinks.
• Ask a dental professional for advice about fluoride supplements if your water supply is not fluoridated.
• Continue to clean your child’s teeth with a small, soft toothbrush. Introduce low-fluoride toothpaste at 18 months of age. Smear a pea-size amount across the toothbrush. Encourage children to spit out toothpaste after brushing.

Three to three and a half years
At this age:

• Your child should have visited a dental professional for a check-up.
• Continue brushing teeth using a small, soft toothbrush with a pea-size smear of low-fluoride toothpaste. From about three years of age, children should be encouraged to brush their own teeth, with adult help, to develop tooth-brushing skills.
• Try to discourage any thumb or finger sucking habits, which could lead to orthodontic problems if they continue.

School age children
At this age:

• Visit a family dentist or the School Dental Service every one to two years.
• Visit your dentist if your child has toothache, persistent bleeding of the gums or dental trauma (such as injuries to the face and teeth).
• Ask your dental professional about fissure sealants – a clear or white coating that can protect grooves in teeth and inhibit plaque.
• Brush teeth at least twice daily, after breakfast and before going to bed.
• Adults should continue to assist children to brush their teeth until eight years of age.
• Encourage your child to eat nutritious snacks without added sugar.
• Encourage your child to drink water, not sugary drinks, when thirsty.

Daily flossing of children’s teeth by an adult can reduce the risk of decay between the teeth. Ask your dental professional for advice.

Dental services available for children in Victoria
You can seek professional dental care for your child through:

• Private dentist
• Public dental services.

Private dentists
To find a private dentist, you can:

• Search by category in the Better Health Channel’s Services Directory
• Look in the Yellow Pages under ‘Dentists’
• Contact the Australian Dental Association.

Public dental services
Victoria’s public dental services include:

• Early Childhood Oral Health Program – children of pre-school age are eligible for dental care. Charges apply for people who do not hold a concession card (a pensioner concession card or healthcare card). Your Maternal and Child Health nurse or public dental clinic (see below) can advise you of your nearest clinic.
• School Dental Service – offers regular dental care for all primary school age children, as well as dependants of concession card holders in Years 7 and 8. Care is offered every 12 to 24 months, depending on treatment needs. Charges apply for non-concession card holders.
• Youth Dental Program – provides regular dental care for concession card holders and their dependants in Years 9 to 12, and for school leavers under 18 years of age.
• Community Dental Program – offers emergency, general and denture services to concession card holders and their dependants. The charge depends on the type of treatment required.
• Royal Dental Hospital Melbourne – offers an after-hours emergency dental clinic. General and specialist services are also offered to pensioner concession and healthcare card holders.

Where to get help

• Your local dentist or dental therapist
• Maternal and Child Health nurse
• Dental Health Services Victoria Hotline Tel. 1300 360 054 – for information about public dental services
• School Dental Services Tel. 1300 360 054
• Australian Dental Association Victorian Branch Tel. (03) 9826 8318

Things to remember

• Children’s teeth should be checked early.
• Regular mouth checks with your Maternal and Child Health nurse are recommended.
• The recommended ages for mouth checks are listed in your Child Health Record.

Article source: http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/