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Children’s Week is celebrated annually in Australia during the fourth week of October. The week focuses the attention of the wider community on children and their needs.

As part of our support of Children’s Week, Bendigo Smiles Dentist is spreading the word about the importance of dental hygiene from infancy forward.

If children have good oral habits and healthy teeth while young, they have a great chance of having them for life and avoiding dental disease.

Which means that if we teach our children how to care for their teeth and gums, it helps them keep a healthy, beautiful smile throughout their lives, improves their general health, and even improves their chances in work and romance!  Read on for some tips that help you encourage your children to develop good dental habits from a young age.

Start Your Children Off With Good Dental Habits

At Bendigo Smiles Dentist, one of the first things parents with young children ask us is how to teach children proper oral hygiene. This is a very important question, as proper oral hygiene can save worry, time, and money, as children grow up.

So here are some hints.

Proper Brushing and Flossing – Brush an infant’s teeth by wetting a soft-bristled, age-appropriate toothbrush with water. If fluoride toothpaste is considered before the child’s first birthday, it is best to first ask a dentist or pediatrician. Flossing should begin once two teeth touch, and it will be up to the adult to do it.

Be a Role Model – Good dental habits start at a young age. Parents can start to show children how to care for their teeth as soon as they are able to hold a toothbrush. Taking the time to teach proper brushing and flossing techniques means fewer cavities and brighter, whiter smiles.

Eat the Right Foods – It’s also important to teach your child what foods are good for their teeth and what ones should be avoided. Good dental habits also include eating foods that help to strengthen the teeth and gums. Staying away from sugar is only part of this. Your child should also be consuming calcium rich foods that keep the enamel of the teeth strong and healthy.

Get to Know your Dentist – One of the most important habits to establish with children is visiting the dentist on a regular basis. Children should be introduced to the family dentist around their first birthday. The dentist will evaluate their teeth and gums and offer suggestions on how to properly care for their teeth.

Establishing this relationship early will prevent the child from being afraid of the dentist later.

Children’s Dentistry at Bendigo

Protecting the health of your child’s smile is important for their wellbeing. You want your child to grow up with a strong, beautiful smile that will last a lifetime. At Bendigo Smiles Dentist we are happy for the opportunity to care for the smiles of our youngest patients.

Children need special care. Even though primary or “baby” teeth are eventually lost, they are vital to your child’s oral health. We begin caring for those first teeth and help kids learn good oral hygiene habits to protect both baby and permanent teeth as they grow into place.

Developing teeth can be more susceptible to decay and other dental issues. We provide regular cleanings and checkups to maintain healthy teeth. Our commitment is to the dental health of your entire family, including your young ones!

Handling Anxiety

We understand that bringing a child to see a dentist can be stressful for both the child and parents. From our experience, we believe that it is vital for a child to have good dental experiences early in life as this will help promote good, healthy dental habits in future.

Our dentists and dental therapists are well trained and experienced at managing children. For ALL extremely nervous and anxious patients, we have ‘happy gas’ to help reduce stress and anxiety.

Bendigo Smiles Dentist bulk bills for the Child Dental Benefits Scheme. The Child Dental Benefits Schedule benefits children ages 2 to 17 years whose families receive Government benefits such as Family Tax Benefit A payments. The CDBS provides basic dental services to eligible children, with benefits capped at $1000 over 2 consecutive years.

Treatments include:

  • Dental exams
  • Dental cleaning
  • X-rays
  • Fissure sealants
  • Tooth fillings
  • Root canal therapy
  • Tooth extractions
  • Partial dentures

You can learn more about the CDBS here.

About Your Bendigo Smiles Dentist

The team at Bendigo Smiles Dentist, a family dental practice, consists of committed, experienced and energetic individuals who are kind and friendly; they share a common goal – to provide the best care to their patients.

The team takes pride in working towards staying current in the field through continuing education and providing treatment under all aspects of general dentistry to people of all ages.

Our services include:

  • Preventive Dental
  • Children’s Dentistry
  • Fillings & Extractions
  • Cosmetic & Restorative
  • Orthodontics
  • Sedation Dentistry

Your Trusted Family Dentist in Bendigo

If you have a child in need of treatment, or any other dental issues, do not hesitate to call us at Bendigo Smiles Dentist on (03) 5441 6447.

Visit us today and take advantage of CDBS (Child Dental Benefits Schedule) and receive up to $1,000 worth of basic dental treatments over 2 calendar years.

Bendigo Smiles Dentist is open from Monday to Saturday to cater to all your dental needs.

Call us on (03) 5441 6447 or book your appointment online.

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