Western Smiles Dental Care
Children's Dentistry
A Healthy Smile Starts Early

Introducing children to the dentist when they are young often means that good lifelong oral care habits are formed early.

Young girl hugging her mom and smiling in mirrabooka
We Believe That Every Child's Smile Is Precious
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Paediatric Dentistry in Mirrabooka

little girl smiling while holding tooth Children experience many milestones as they grow up, and their first visit to the dental clinic is one of them. If you are a parent of a young child, you might wonder when the best time to start bringing kids to the dentist is. At Western Smiles Dental Care, Dr Peter Duke recommends that children begin twice-yearly visits to the dental clinic around the age of three. By the time kids are three years old, they are usually mature enough to sit still in the chair for a while, absorb and process a new environment and understand what is happening around them. 

Dr Duke enjoys treating children and has extensive experience in doing so. He and his entire team know how to communicate well with children, and they go out of their way to ensure that a kid’s first time at the dentist is fun. Parents often report that after their visit, their children will ask, ‘When can I go and see Dr Peter again?’

Taking kids to the dentist early also tends to alleviate much of the dental anxiety many adults experience. Children who grow accustomed to the dentist early also tend to become adults who take good care of their oral health and see the dentist regularly.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Your child’s dentist in Mirrabooka likes to see children at around two years old.

Additionally, we believe that a child's first dental visit should be fun. This initial visit should be about building trust and helping them feel comfortable with the dentist.

young girl smiling in mirrabookaChild's Initial Dental Visit in Mirrabooka

We may count teeth, give them a ride in the dental chair, and talk about their oral health in age-appropriate language. We believe that building trust early may prevent anxiety later. We can also introduce your child to Benji, our therapy dog. Benji helps patients feel relaxed and at ease during dental checkups and procedures.

As your child ages and becomes more comfortable in the dental clinic, we will add needed treatments, which may include but are not limited to:

  • Comprehensive dental checkups
  • Professional teeth cleans
  • Fluoride treatments
  • Fissure sealants
  • Tooth-coloured fillings
  • Emergency dentistry

Following checkups and teeth cleans, a member of our team shares all findings with you. And we are always available to answer your questions and address your concerns. Our dentist and team understand that your child’s healthy smile is a group effort!

For Children’s Dentistry Near Me, We Encourage Your Call

Helping your child reach their full smile potential is our top priority. So give us a call today if you’re ready to get started.

Dental sealants in Mirrabooka provide excellent protection against tooth decay and cavities for your little one's teeth. The procedure is also comfortable, non-invasive, and may not even require a dental anesthetic. We usually apply dental sealants to molars and can typically do so during one simple dental visit.

young girl sitting in a dental chairThe Dental Sealant Procedure 

Our dentist will start your child's sealants procedure by drying and preparing the chewing surface of your little one's tooth. Next, they'll apply a thin plastic coating over the tooth's surface to protect it from the acids and bacteria that cause tooth decay. The layer also fills the pits and grooves on the tooth's chewing surface, which can trap food particles and cause cavities. 

Children often don't have the skills and dexterity to properly brush and floss until they're older. So, our dentists often recommend dental sealants for children because they give added protection to small teeth that can quickly develop cavities. 

Learn More About Children's Dentistry Near Perth

At Western Smiles Dental Care, we love taking care of children! If you'd like to learn more about our dental services for kids, we invite you to call our dental clinic to obtain more information or to arrange an appointment for your child.  

Cavity prevention and oral health are essential, even for baby teeth. Baby teeth act as placeholders for their adult counterparts. Losing them too soon due to decay can cause problems when adult teeth erupt, including dental migration.

Helping Your Child Avoid Tooth Decay in Mirrabooka

To prevent cavities in baby teeth, clean each erupted tooth and the gums carefully two to three times daily and always before bed. Also, don’t let your toddler sleep with a bottle unless it’s only water. Juice and formula can cause tooth decay when left in the mouth overnight.

For older kids, it’s important to supervise their brushing and flossing, especially if they’ve only recently switched to independent oral care.

You can set a timer or play a song to encourage two full minutes of brushing and encourage your child to hit every tooth on all sides.

Additionally, you can use fluoride rinses or mouthwash as an added precaution.

Nutrition also plays a vital role in dental enamel strength. Be sure your child has enough calcium and avoid sugary and acidic foods and drinks.

If your child presents with tooth decay, the dentist may talk to you about fissure sealants, a way to block debris from harming dental enamel.

Are You Looking for a Children’s Dentist Near Perth?

Kid’s dentistry is about healthy smiles. After evaluating your child's needs, we can provide more customised tips. However, to get started, we encourage you to contact our dental office today to book an appointment. 

Baby teeth are a vital part of your child’s development, so we promote early dental visits for children.

Our caring dentists in Mirrabooka help ensure your child’s baby teeth remain healthy and viable until it’s time for adult teeth to erupt.

young brother and sister smilingKeeping baby teeth healthy depends on regular dental care and your efforts at home. Our team can help you learn how to best clean your baby’s gums and care for their teeth as they erupt. We can also advise on nutrition and teething. The latter may require gentle messages and a teething ring.

Let’s explore a few reasons baby teeth are so vital.

Importance of Baby Teeth

Baby teeth help your child develop proper speech and speaking patterns. Additionally, they aid in early chewing and digestion. Baby teeth also act as space holders for adult teeth.

If baby teeth are lost too soon, your child may struggle with speech and chewing. Also, adult teeth may not erupt properly when their space holders are lost too soon, which can mean orthodontic problems for your child.

For Children’s Dentistry Near Dianella, We Encourage Your Call

To learn more about caring for your child’s teeth or to book an appointment with the dentist, we invite you to contact a helpful dental team member today.

Education for Mums, Dads and Kids for Better Oral Health

We believe that an educated patient is better equipped to take good care of their oral health and to make informed decisions about recommended treatment. The earlier this knowledge is shared, the better, especially when it comes to good oral hygiene habits. 

When your children lack the dexterity to brush and floss their own teeth effectively, we can show you how to help ensure that little mouths are being cleaned properly. Later, when kids can brush and floss on their own, we can show them how to do it right.

Early dental visits also mean we can address any issues, whether it’s tooth decay, thumb-sucking, crowding, malpositioned teeth or teeth grinding. Finding solutions to these problems can have a positive impact on adult teeth.

Meet Our Doctor:

Dr Peter Duke in Mirrabooka

Dr Peter Duke

Dr Peter Duke is the owner of Western Smiles Dental Care as well as the Principal Dentist and Clinical Director.

Graduated from University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom, with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery in 1991, he entered into private dental practice in 1991, then commenced post-graduate studies, earning a diploma in General Dental Practice from the Royal College of Surgeons, United Kingdom, in 1994.

Dr Duke is currently a councillor of the Australian Dental Association Western Australia Branch and maintains a focus on education to keep abreast with ...

Preventive Dental Care Is Key for Kids, Too!

As with adults, some children are simply more prone to developing tooth decay, but with treatments such as fluoride and sealants, we can help prevent cavities. These procedures are non-invasive and involve no scary needles or drilling, and they go a long way in protecting oral health.

Fluoride treatment can help teeth stay strong and resistant to decay. Dental sealants are applied to the deep grooves of the back molars, acting as a protective barrier against bacteria.

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Let Us Help Your Kids Feel Positive About the Dentist in Mirrabooka

We welcome your call to book a dental appointment for your child with our gentle children’s dentist in Mirrabooka. Western Smiles Dental Care strives to provide the best dental care for all patients—from the youngest to the oldest. 

We invite you to learn more about the Child Dental Benefits Schedule and children’s dentistry at our dental surgery by calling Western Smiles Dental Care.

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