What is children’s dentistry at AMK Dental Clinic?
Children’s dentistry is dental care for babies, children and teenagers that focuses on prevention, early detection and treating problems as they arise. At AMK Dental Clinic in Mortlake, we see children from their first tooth through to their teenage years, often alongside their parents and siblings.
Our children’s dental care includes:
- first dental visits for babies and toddlers
- regular check-ups and cleans
- fluoride treatments
- fissure sealants on back teeth
- tooth-coloured fillings
- advice for parents on brushing, diet, teething, thumb sucking and mouthguards for sport
Children’s care at AMK is provided by our general dental team. If your child needs treatment outside the scope of a general practice, we will talk with you about a referral.
When should my child have their first dental visit?
Your child’s first dental visit should be when their first teeth appear. The Australian Dental Association recommends a first visit when the first teeth appear in the mouth, and healthdirect advises a visit by the time the first tooth appears or by the first birthday.
A first visit is usually short and relaxed. Your child may sit on your lap while the dentist has a brief look at their teeth and gums. We check that the teeth are coming through normally, look for early signs of decay, and give you practical advice on cleaning, feeding and teething.
What happens at a child’s check-up?
A child’s check-up at AMK Dental Clinic is a routine visit to check teeth, gums and jaw development and to prevent decay. Depending on your child’s age, the dentist will:
- count and check the teeth, and look at how the bite is developing
- look for early decay, including white spots on the enamel
- take X-rays if needed, usually for older children, to check between the back teeth
- clean and polish the teeth and, if suitable, apply fluoride
- show you and your child how to brush and floss well
The Australian Dental Association suggests young children visit every 6 months at first, moving to yearly visits once they have good habits.
Why do baby teeth matter?
Baby teeth matter because they help children chew, speak clearly and smile, and they hold space in the jaw for the adult teeth. Some back baby teeth are not replaced until around age 10 to 12, so they need to last for many years.
Decay in baby teeth can cause pain, infection and trouble eating or sleeping. If a baby tooth is lost early, neighbouring teeth can drift into the gap, which may affect how the adult teeth come through. That is why we recommend treating decay in baby teeth where appropriate.
How can we help prevent tooth decay in children?
Tooth decay is largely preventable with good daily habits and regular check-ups. At home, healthdirect recommends:
- cleaning teeth with water only until 18 months (unless your dentist advises otherwise), then brushing twice a day with a small pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, spat out rather than rinsed
- avoiding bottles of milk or sugary drinks at night, and not letting children fall asleep with a bottle
- limiting sugary foods and drinks, and offering tap water between meals
The Australian Dental Association recommends that parents help children brush and floss until around 8 or 9 years old.
Fissure sealants are a protective coating painted into the deep grooves of the back teeth. Healthdirect notes they are most often placed in children aged 6 and older and teenagers, and that no anaesthetic is needed. Your dentist will advise whether your child’s teeth would benefit.
What if my child needs a filling?
If your child has a cavity, your dentist will explain the options before doing anything. Small areas of early decay can sometimes be managed with fluoride and better home care and then monitored. Larger cavities usually need a filling, often with a tooth-coloured material.
Where local anaesthetic is used, your child’s lip and cheek will be numb for a few hours afterwards. Watch them closely so they don’t bite or suck the numb area, and offer soft food once the numbness wears off.
If your child knocks out or breaks a tooth, see our emergency dentist page. Note that knocked-out baby teeth are not put back in the mouth.
Can we use the Child Dental Benefits Schedule at AMK?
Eligible families can use the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) at most dental practices, including private practices. The CDBS is a Medicare program that pays benefits for basic dental services for eligible children aged 0 to 17, up to a capped amount over two consecutive calendar years.
According to Services Australia, a child is eligible if they are aged 0 to 17 for at least one day of the calendar year, are eligible for Medicare, and they or their parent or carer receive an eligible payment, such as Family Tax Benefit Part A, at least once that year. The CDBS covers services such as check-ups, X-rays, cleaning, fissure sealants, fillings, root canals and extractions. It does not cover orthodontic or cosmetic treatment, or dental services in hospital.
If your child may be eligible, please ask us about using the CDBS at AMK Dental Clinic when you book. Before any treatment, we will explain what each service costs and whether the CDBS covers it, and ask for your signed consent. For full details, read our Child Dental Benefits Schedule guide.
Booking your child’s appointment
You can book online or call AMK Dental Clinic on (02) 9739 6525. Please bring your child’s Medicare card and any health fund card. If you are a new family, our new patients page explains what to expect, and fees and health funds covers payment options.
Common questions
When should my child first see a dentist?
The Australian Dental Association recommends a child's first dental visit when their first teeth appear, and healthdirect advises a visit by the time the first tooth appears or by the first birthday. An early visit at AMK Dental Clinic lets us check the teeth are developing normally, spot early signs of decay, and give you practical tips on brushing, feeding and teething.
How often should children have a dental check-up?
Most children benefit from a check-up every 6 to 12 months. The Australian Dental Association suggests young children visit every 6 months at first, moving to yearly visits once they have good habits and low risk of decay. Your dentist at AMK Dental Clinic will recommend a recall interval based on your child's teeth, diet and home care.
Does AMK Dental Clinic accept the Child Dental Benefits Schedule?
If your child may be eligible, ask AMK Dental Clinic about using the Child Dental Benefits Schedule when you book. The CDBS is a Medicare program that pays benefits for basic dental services for eligible children aged 0 to 17, up to a capped amount over two calendar years. We will explain costs and ask for your signed consent before any treatment.
Why do baby teeth need fillings if they fall out anyway?
Baby teeth help children chew, speak and smile, and they hold space for the adult teeth underneath. Some back baby teeth stay in the mouth until around age 10 to 12. Untreated decay in a baby tooth can cause pain and infection, and can affect the adult tooth developing below. Your dentist will explain the options, including when monitoring is reasonable.
What toothpaste should my child use?
Healthdirect advises cleaning a baby's teeth with water and no toothpaste until 18 months, unless your dentist recommends fluoride toothpaste because of a high risk of decay. From 18 months to 5 years, use a small pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste twice a day. Your child should spit it out, not swallow or rinse. Help your child brush until around 8 or 9 years old.
How can I help my child feel comfortable at the dentist?
Talk about the visit in a calm, matter-of-fact way and avoid words like hurt or needle. Bring a younger child along to a parent's or sibling's check-up so the clinic feels familiar. Morning appointments often suit toddlers. At AMK Dental Clinic, we explain each step in child-friendly language and go at your child's pace.