Taking Your Child to the Dentist: A Guide for Ashgrove Families
Most adults can remember their first dental visit — and not always fondly. The goal of children’s dentistry today is quite different from a generation ago. The focus is on making early visits positive, low-pressure experiences that set kids up with habits and confidence they carry into adulthood.
If you’re wondering when to start, what to expect, or how to handle a child who’s anxious about going, this guide covers the key questions we hear from local families.
When should my child first visit a dentist?
The general recommendation from dental associations in Australia is that children should have their first dental visit by the time their first tooth appears, or by their first birthday — whichever comes first. This might seem very early, but the purpose of that first appointment is less about treatment and more about:
- Checking that teeth are erupting normally
- Giving parents guidance on cleaning, diet and dummy use
- Getting the child comfortable with the dental environment
Starting early means there are no surprises, and children grow up seeing the dentist as a normal, unremarkable part of life rather than something that only happens when something is wrong.
Baby teeth matter more than people think
A common misconception is that baby (primary) teeth don’t need much attention because they’ll fall out anyway. In fact, they matter quite a lot:
- They hold space in the jaw for permanent teeth to erupt correctly. If a baby tooth is lost too early due to decay or infection, nearby teeth can drift and crowd the incoming permanent tooth.
- They’re essential for chewing, which affects nutrition.
- Tooth pain from decay affects children’s sleep, concentration and willingness to eat.
- Early experiences of dental treatment — or dental pain — shape a child’s attitude towards dental care for years to come.
Decay in baby teeth is not inevitable. It’s largely preventable with the right habits at home and regular check-ups.
What does a children’s dental check-up involve?
For young children, early appointments are gentle and brief. The dentist will look at how the teeth and jaws are developing, check for signs of early decay, assess the bite and note any habits like thumb sucking that might affect development.
As children get older, appointments include a clean and polish, fluoride treatment, and X-rays when appropriate to check what’s happening between teeth and with the development of permanent teeth below the gum line.
The language used matters enormously with children. A good children’s dentist will explain what they’re doing in age-appropriate terms, move at the child’s pace and never use words like “drill,” “needle” or “pain.”
What if my child is anxious?
Dental anxiety in children is common, and it’s worth taking seriously rather than dismissing it. A few things that help:
Start early and visit regularly. Children who visit the dentist every six months from a young age are much less likely to develop anxiety because the environment is familiar. Fear tends to build when visits only happen when something is wrong.
Keep your own reactions neutral. Children pick up on adult anxiety more than we realise. Avoid using dental visits as threats or expressing your own nervousness around them.
Read books or watch videos about going to the dentist. There are good children’s books and videos specifically about dental visits that can help normalise it beforehand. We highly recommend Teletubbies Series 2, Episode 34, which has a great example of going to the dentist.
Tell us in advance. If your child has had a difficult experience previously, or if you know they’re anxious, let the practice know when you book. This allows the dentist to set aside extra time and adjust their approach.
For children with significant anxiety, options like visiting a specialised paediatric dentist can make treatment much more manageable. This is worth asking about.
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule
Eligible children aged 0–17 may be entitled to up to $1,095 in dental benefits over a two-year period under the Australian Government’s Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS). This covers basic dental services including examinations, cleans, X-rays, fissure sealants, fillings and extractions. Orthodontic treatment is not covered.
Eligibility is generally linked to receiving certain government payments such as Family Tax Benefit Part A. Medicare will send a letter when your child becomes eligible. It’s worth checking before your appointment so we can help you make the most of the benefit.
Tips for cleaning your child’s teeth at home
- Under 24 months: Clean gums with a damp cloth. When teeth erupt, use a soft infant toothbrush with water only.
- 24 months to 7 years: Introduce a low-fluoride children’s toothpaste (children’s formula). Use a small amount — the size of a grain of rice or a smear — and supervise brushing.
- 7 years and over: At this stage, children can move to standard fluoride toothpaste because they now have the ability to properly spit. They still need supervision and help until around age 8–9, when fine motor skills are developed enough for effective independent brushing.
Flossing should begin once teeth are touching — usually around age 2–3 (sometimes earlier, every child is different!) — with parental help until the child can manage alone.
Stewart Road Dental has been caring for Ashgrove families for over 80 years. If you’d like to book your child’s first appointment or have questions about their dental development, our team is happy to help.