Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

At Paediatric Dental Home, we understand that children with special needs often require additional care, patience and understanding when it comes to dental treatment. Our team of specialist paediatric dentists across our Hoppers Crossing and Geelong locations in Victoria have extensive training specifically designed to address the unique challenges that may arise when providing dental care for children with additional needs.

Our Compassionate Approach

Our approach begins with creating a comfortable and welcoming environment where your child can feel at ease. We take the time to familiarise your child with our practice, our team and our procedures at their own pace. This gradual introduction helps reduce anxiety and builds trust between your child and our dental professionals.

As qualified paediatric specialists, we have received additional training beyond regular dental education to work effectively with children who have physical, developmental, behavioural or cognitive conditions. We personalise each treatment plan to meet your child's specific requirements and ensure they receive the dental care they need in the most supportive way possible.

For children who experience heightened anxiety or have difficulty cooperating during dental procedures, we offer additional comfort measures, including laughing gas (nitrous oxide), which provides mild sedation while allowing your child to remain conscious and responsive. In cases where more extensive treatment is needed, we can provide treatment under general anaesthesia in a hospital setting.

Making Children's Dentistry Accessible to All Patients

We believe every child deserves access to quality dental care delivered with compassion and understanding. Our team works closely with parents and carers to develop strategies that make dental visits more manageable and even enjoyable for children with special needs.

Please contact our friendly team at either our Hoppers Crossing or Geelong dental clinic to discuss how we can best support your child's dental health journey.

Early orthodontic intervention, typically beginning between the ages of 7 and 10, offers significant advantages for your child's dental development. Our specialist paediatric dentists at both our Hoppers Crossing and Geelong dental clinics regularly assess children's orthodontic needs during routine check-ups.

Early intervention allows us to identify and address developing problems before they become more complex and challenging to treat. By guiding jaw growth and creating space for incoming permanent teeth, we can often reduce the need for tooth extractions or more invasive procedures later on.

Understanding Phased Orthodontic Treatment

Many children benefit from a two-phase orthodontic approach. The first phase addresses skeletal issues like narrow palates or jaw discrepancies while the child is still growing, making corrections easier and more effective. The second phase, typically involving the use of braces or aligners, begins after most of the permanent teeth have erupted to achieve the final alignment.

Why Do We Recommend Early Intervention?

Early treatment can correct harmful habits such as thumb-sucking or tongue-thrusting that may affect dental development. It can also help alleviate speech problems and breathing difficulties associated with orthodontic issues, thereby enhancing your child's overall well-being and confidence.

Children who receive early intervention often experience shorter treatment times in their teenage years and frequently achieve better, more stable results. Additionally, addressing orthodontic concerns early helps protect protruding front teeth from potential trauma or injury.

Our team takes a holistic approach to orthodontic assessment, considering not just the alignment of teeth but also facial aesthetics, airway considerations and long-term functional outcomes. We work closely with parents to develop personalised treatment plans that suit your child's specific needs.

For more information about early orthodontic intervention, please book a consultation at our Hoppers Crossing or Geelong dental practice to discuss your child's individual requirements. 

When your child experiences a toothache, it can be distressing for both of you. At Paediatric Dental Home, we recommend several steps to manage your child's discomfort while determining if professional treatment is needed at one of our Hoppers Crossing or Geelong dental clinics.

Tips for Handling Toothaches

First, gently rinse your child's mouth with warm salt water to remove any food particles trapped between teeth. Carefully remove any visible debris that might be causing irritation using dental floss. For pain relief, you can administer children's paracetamol or ibuprofen according to the recommended dosage for your child's age and weight. Apply a cold compress to the outside of your child's cheek for about 20 minutes to reduce any swelling. 

It's important to contact our practice promptly if the pain persists for more than 24 hours, if your child has facial swelling, a fever, or seems particularly distressed. These symptoms might indicate an infection that requires immediate attention.

Contact Paediatric Dental Home

At Paediatric Dental Home, our specialist paediatric dentists have extensive training in managing children's dental emergencies. We offer priority appointments for children in pain and can provide appropriate treatment options, including gentle examination techniques for anxious children.

For severe cases or children who experience extreme dental anxiety, we can provide treatment using laughing gas (nitrous oxide) or under general anaesthetic, if necessary. Our team is experienced in helping children with toothaches feel comfortable and reassured throughout their treatment.

Remember that regular check-ups every six months at our Hoppers Crossing or Geelong locations can help prevent many causes of toothache through early detection and preventive care.

Recovery after dental treatment under general anaesthesia varies for each child, but at Paediatric Dental Home, we ensure parents have comprehensive guidance for post-operative care at both our Hoppers Crossing and Geelong locations. 

Recovery Overview

Immediately following the procedure, your child will be monitored in a recovery area until they regain consciousness. It's normal for children to feel groggy, disoriented or emotional when waking up. Our experienced team provides reassurance and comfort during this transition period.

Most children can go home the same day, typically within 2 to 4 hours after the procedure is completed. Before discharge, our specialists will provide specific aftercare instructions tailored to your child's treatment. We recommend having a responsible adult present for the first 24 hours after the procedure to monitor your child.

In the immediate 24 hours following general anaesthesia, your child may experience drowsiness, mild nausea, irritability or a sore throat. These side effects are temporary and usually resolve within a day. We suggest offering soft, cool foods and ensuring adequate hydration, while avoiding hot foods until the numbness has completely worn off.

Activity should be limited for the remainder of the day, with no strenuous play or sports. Most children can return to school or childcare the following day, though some may benefit from an additional day of rest depending on the extent of their treatment.

Our Team Is Here for Your Family

For pain management, we provide specific recommendations based on your child's individual needs, typically including children's paracetamol or ibuprofen as directed.

Our team will schedule a follow-up appointment to ensure proper healing and address any concerns you may have. We're always available to answer questions during the recovery period, and our specialists at both our Hoppers Crossing and Geelong dental practices provide after-hours emergency contact information.

Every child's recovery experience is unique, and our team is committed to supporting families throughout the entire process with compassionate, specialised care.

Laughing gas (nitrous oxide) is one of the safest forms of sedation available in paediatric dentistry. At Paediatric Dental Home, our specialist paediatric dentists at both our Hoppers Crossing and Geelong practices regularly use this gentle sedation method to help anxious children relax during dental procedures.

The safety profile of laughing gas is well-established, with decades of research supporting its use in children. It's classified as minimal sedation, meaning your child remains fully conscious and maintains all protective reflexes throughout treatment. The gas is mixed with oxygen and administered through a small, comfortable nose mask that allows your child to breathe normally.

How Does Laughing Gas Benefit Your Child?

One of the key benefits of laughing gas is that it works quickly, typically within minutes, and wears off just as rapidly once the mask is removed. This means there are no lingering after-effects, and your child can return to normal activities immediately after the appointment.

Our paediatric specialists are extensively trained in administering laughing gas and will carefully monitor your child throughout the procedure. The dosage can be precisely adjusted to achieve just the right level of relaxation while ensuring your child remains responsive and cooperative.

While most children tolerate laughing gas extremely well, we always conduct a thorough medical history review before recommending it. Children with certain respiratory conditions or specific medical concerns may be better suited to alternative comfort measures, which our team can discuss with you.

The use of laughing gas often helps children develop positive associations with dental visits, as they experience comfort and sometimes a pleasant tingling sensation or feeling of warmth rather than anxiety. Many children leave their appointments with no memory of any discomfort.

Contact Paediatric Dental Home

At Paediatric Dental Home, we prioritise both the physical and emotional well-being of our young patients. If you have questions about laughing gas or other comfort options at our Hoppers Crossing or Geelong dental clinics, our friendly team is happy to provide more information.

Dental care for your baby should begin even before that first tooth appears. At Paediatric Dental Home, our specialists at both our Hoppers Crossing and Geelong practices recommend starting oral hygiene routines from birth.

Infant Oral Care

For newborns and young infants, gently wipe the gums twice daily using a clean, damp washcloth or a soft infant finger brush. This not only keeps the mouth clean but also helps your baby become accustomed to having their mouth cleaned, establishing a foundation for good oral hygiene habits.

Once your baby's first tooth emerges (typically between 6 and 10 months of age), it's time to introduce a proper toothbrush. Select a small, soft-bristled toothbrush designed specifically for infants and use only a smear of age-appropriate, low-fluoride toothpaste—about the size of a grain of rice. Brush gently twice daily, in the morning and before bedtime.

As Your Child Gets Older

As your child grows and more teeth appear, gradually increase the amount of toothpaste to a small pea-sized amount by age three. Continue to assist with brushing until your child is around 7-8 years old, as young children lack the manual dexterity to clean their teeth effectively on their own.

Remember that early childhood caries (tooth decay) can develop as soon as teeth appear, particularly if your baby sleeps with a bottle containing anything other than water. Avoid putting your baby to bed with milk, formula, juice or sweetened liquids to help prevent decay.

The First Dental Visit

We recommend scheduling your baby's first dental visit at our Geelong or Hoppers Crossing paediatric dental clinic within six months after their first tooth erupts, or by their first birthday. This early visit allows our specialist paediatric dentists to assess your child's dental development and provide personalised advice for maintaining optimal oral health. 

Establishing good oral hygiene habits early in life sets the foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles. Our friendly team is always available to demonstrate proper brushing techniques and answer any questions about caring for your baby's developing teeth.

Our specialist paediatric dentists may recommend dental crowns for children in several specific situations where conventional fillings aren't sufficient.

Understanding Dental Crowns in Geelong

Dental crowns are often recommended when a primary (baby) tooth has extensive decay that affects multiple surfaces or a large portion of the tooth. While we always aim to use the most conservative treatment possible, sometimes a crown provides better protection and durability for a severely damaged tooth that still needs to remain in place for several years.

For children who have undergone pulp therapy (similar to a root canal in adults), a crown is typically necessary to protect the remaining tooth structure. Without this reinforcement, the tooth becomes brittle and susceptible to fracture during normal chewing and biting.

Children with developmental defects of their enamel may benefit from crowns to protect teeth that are naturally weaker or more prone to decay. Similarly, teeth that are fractured due to trauma often require crowns to restore both function and appearance.

For children at high risk of dental caries, particularly those with special needs or medical conditions that make oral hygiene challenging, crowns may be a preventive measure for teeth at significant risk of decay.

Dental Crowns in Hoppers Crossing for Your Child's Needs

At our practices, we typically use stainless steel crowns for back teeth due to their exceptional durability and reliability. For front teeth where aesthetics are important, we offer tooth-coloured options.

The decision to place a crown is always made in consultation with parents after a thorough examination and discussion of all available options. We consider factors such as the child's age, cooperation level, remaining development time of the affected tooth and overall oral health needs.

While crowns require more extensive preparation than fillings, they often represent the most cost-effective and successful long-term solution for severely compromised primary teeth, helping to maintain proper spacing for permanent teeth and supporting healthy oral development.