Children’s dental care at Tooth n Care East Maitland

Children’s Dentistry

Making the first visits easy ones

How a child feels about the dentist at six tends to stick at thirty-six. We take that seriously, and we take our time.

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When It’s Needed

When to bring them in

By their first birthday, or when the first tooth appears — whichever comes first
Every six to twelve months after that
If you can see white or brown marks on any tooth
If they complain of pain, or avoid chewing on one side
After any knock to the mouth, even if teeth look fine
Around age seven, for an early orthodontic assessment while the jaw is still growing
Before they start contact sport, for a fitted mouthguard

At The Appointment

What actually happens

01/

Getting comfortable

The first visit may be nothing more than a ride in the chair, counting teeth and meeting Zoe. If that’s all we do, that’s a successful appointment.

02/

Examination & clean

A check of teeth, gums, bite and how the adult teeth are developing, then a gentle clean and polish. X-rays only when there’s a clear reason.

03/

Prevention

Fluoride application, and fissure sealants on the deep grooves of new adult molars — a thin protective coating applied to the surface, with no drilling and no needle, and one of the most effective things we can do.

04/

Treatment if needed

Fillings, baby-tooth extractions or stainless steel crowns where decay is extensive. All explained to your child in words they’ll understand, at a pace they can handle.

Afterwards

Recovery & aftercare

Brush twice daily with a smear of fluoride toothpaste under 3, a pea-sized amount from 3 up.
Brush for them until about age eight — their coordination genuinely isn’t there before then.
Start flossing once teeth touch each other.
Water and milk between meals; juice, cordial and sports drinks at mealtimes only if at all.
It’s the frequency of sugar, not the quantity, that drives decay — constant grazing is worse than one dessert.
Avoid using dental visits as a threat. "Be good or you’ll go to the dentist" undoes a lot of careful work.
If they need a filling, keep your own language neutral — children read your anxiety before they feel their own.

A child’s dental check-up at Tooth n Care

Alternatives We’d Also Discuss

Other ways to go

Watching a small area

Not every mark needs drilling. Early enamel decay in a baby tooth close to falling out can sometimes be monitored and remineralised instead.

Prevention first

Sealants, fluoride and diet changes often prevent the next cavity entirely, which beats treating it.

Referral to a paediatric specialist

Very young children needing extensive work, or those with additional needs, are sometimes better treated by a specialist, occasionally under general anaesthetic. We refer when that’s kindest.

Risks & Considerations

The honest downsides

No treatment is risk-free, and you should hear this before you decide rather than afterwards.

Baby teeth matter. They hold space for adult teeth, and losing them early to decay often causes crowding that needs orthodontic treatment later.
Decay in children can progress quickly — baby tooth enamel is thinner than adult enamel.
A frightening or rushed early experience can create lifelong dental anxiety, which is why we would rather achieve less in the first appointment and keep them comfortable.
Fissure sealants can wear or chip and need checking at each visit; they reduce decay risk substantially but do not eliminate it.
Some treatment is genuinely difficult for a young or anxious child to cope with in a normal dental chair, and pushing on is rarely the right answer.
CDBS covers basic services only — it does not cover orthodontics or cosmetic treatment.

Cost & health funds

Eligible children can be bulk billed through the Child Dental Benefits Schedule, which covers up to $1,158 of basic dental services over two consecutive calendar years — no out-of-pocket cost for covered services. Eligibility is set by Services Australia and the cap is indexed each January. We’re happy to check eligibility for you at the desk.

Fees & payment plans →

Get a written plan

Before anything starts you’ll have a written treatment plan with costs, inclusions and any conditions spelled out, plus an estimate of your health fund rebate checked at the desk.

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This information is general in nature and is not a substitute for personalised advice from a registered dental practitioner. Any dental or surgical procedure carries risks. Individual results vary. Before proceeding with treatment we encourage you to ask questions and, if you wish, seek a second opinion from a qualified health practitioner.