From your Brisbane CBD dentist at Dentistry on George

This year, Dental Health Week (5–11 August) turns the spotlight to children’s oral health under the theme: “Reach Every S‑Milestone.”

As a trusted Brisbane CBD dental clinic, we see many working professionals, but we also understand that many of our patients are parents, grandparents, carers, or educators who play an important role in children’s wellbeing. We also have many of our patients bring their children along for their check-ups too! That’s why we’re supporting this year’s campaign by sharing practical advice on how to help the young people in your life build strong, healthy smiles from the start.

What Are “S‑Milestones”?

This year’s campaign by the Australian Dental Association focuses on five key oral health milestones that help shape a child’s development:

• Birth to the first tooth – clean gums with a small damp cloth

• First tooth to 18 months – start brushing the teeth as they come through; schedule the first dental visit

• 18 months to 6 years – brush twice daily with a kid’s toothpaste and don’t forget to floss!

• From 6 years old – use adult fluoride toothpaste. Don’t forget the regular dental visits.

• From 8 years old Self-care – support children to brush and floss on their own

These milestones often begin before a child’s first birthday and continue well into primary school. Supporting them means giving children the best chance for a confident, healthy smile into adulthood.

Why Children’s Oral Health Matters

If you’re a parent or grandparent balancing work, family, and a packed calendar, we know how easy it is to overlook routine check-ups — especially for kids.

But did you know that tooth decay is one of the most common chronic conditions in children? The good news: it’s mostly preventable. With the right guidance and early habits, you can help the children in your life avoid unnecessary dental treatments later on.

What We Recommend

At Dentistry on George, we welcome children — especially when it makes appointments more convenient for families. We also believe in equipping parents and carers with simple, clear advice to support kids through each stage:

🍼 First tooth? Start brushing. Use a small, soft toothbrush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste.
👧🏽 Supervise brushing until around age 8. Make it part of a fun, daily routine.
🦷 Dental visits should start early. We recommend booking their first appointment by 12 months of age or when the first tooth comes through.
💧 Tap water is best. Brisbane’s water contains fluoride, which helps strengthen teeth and prevent decay.

Have questions during your own appointment? Just ask — we’re always happy to help.

A Brisbane CBD Dentist You Can Trust

Our clinic is known for its calm, professional environment, and many of our patients appreciate being able to book in their children alongside their own visits. Whether it’s a check-up for yourself or your child, you’ll receive the same level of care: gentle, honest, and backed by up-to-date clinical standards.

We simply care about helping everyone in your household stay healthy, informed, and smiling. Did you know that we also see children who are eligible for the Child Dental Benefit Schedule? Read more here.

Book a Check-Up This Dental Health Week

📍 Located conveniently in the Brisbane CBD, we offer high-quality dental care for working professionals and their families.
🦷 From regular check-ups to practical guidance for your child’s oral health journey, we’re here to support your smile — and theirs.

📞 Call Dentistry on George: (07) 3211 1155
📅 Book online
📍 Visit our dental clinic in Brisbane CBD

Let’s help the next generation smile with confidence.

The post Supporting Growing Smiles: Essential Tips for Children’s Oral Health in Brisbane first appeared on Dentistry on George.

Getting your child in good dental habits from a young age is crucial. Dental disease has been described as a disease of childhood. Good habits from a young age, could prevent a lifetime of disease, pain and dental discomfort. Imagine that, a life free from tooth decay and gum disease? You can set your child up for the very best chance of this by getting them into good habits from a young age.

Dental disease in Australia is actually on the rise with more than half of all 6-year-olds having some decay in their teeth.

You should start caring for your child’s teeth from when they are a baby. This makes life so much easier as they get older as they are already in good routines with tooth-brushing, they’re eating a healthy diet and they are used to the 6 monthly dental trips.

However, they won’t be able to do all this themselves. They rely on parents and older friends and family members to be good role models. These caregivers are the ones buying the food that they can access in the kitchen. Children also need to help with tooth-brushing up until they are around 7-8 years old. If your child has the manual dexterity to tie their shoelaces, they can brush their own teeth, but they still need supervision to make sure they are doing it properly. They will also need help with flossing until they are around 10 years old.

What if my child has a sweet tooth?

Diet is so important. We can’t get tooth decay without sugar, so limiting sugars is key. This is easier done from a young age, before your child can develop a ‘sweet tooth’. Key diet messages are:

• Stick to water or plain milk for drinks.
• Avoid packaged and processed meals that have high sugar content
• Beware of breakfast cereals which have high sugar content
• Limit dried fruit – this is very concentrated in sugar and sticky, so it sticks to the teeth
• Watch for hidden sugars – yoghurts, dried fruit, fruit juice, cereals and other perceived ‘healthy’ foods.
• Also watch for gluten free products which tend to have higher sugar content.

Learning how to read food labels is a valuable tool. Look at the amount of sugar in grams per 100 grams. This lets you compare products.

Try to avoid snacking, as this is the most damaging to teeth. If snacks are required between mealtimes stick tooth friendly snacks, such as:

• fresh fruit and vegetables
• cheese
• bread/toast (can add avocado)
• peanut butter (no added sugar, and if no nut allergies)
• glass of milk

How do I care for my child’s teeth?

Make sure you are brushing your child’s teeth twice a day. You should be doing this for them until they are around 7 or 8 years old.

Use a small amount (pea-sized) of fluoridated toothpaste, and make sure they spit out (don’t swallow). Brush for 2 mins – this is enough time to get around all the surfaces of all the teeth. Try to make toothbrushing fun – make it a game, have a toothbrushing chart, use a two minute timer, or brush to their favourite song. There are plenty of toothbrushing apps too.

As soon as teeth come through that are next to each other, there are tight gaps where a toothbrush can’t reach. This is when flossing comes into the picture. This removes food debris and bacterial plaque from these hard to reach areas. You should floss your child’s teeth as soon as they have teeth touching. Aim to floss every day. Once your child is 10 or so, they should have the dexterity to floss their own teeth. Their dentist can also give them a flossing demo and tips to make it easier. One of the easiest ways to floss kid’s teeth is to use floss picks, which have a handle for ease.

Mouth rinses aren’t recommended for young children due to the risk of swallowing. Mouth rinses can be a valuable added extra for some people – your dentist will advise if they think a mouth rinse should be used.

When should I take my child to the dentist?

It’s best to get your child used to dental visits from a young age. If you’re going for a regular dental appointment – take your child along with you, to see that it’s nothing to worry about. Kids will mimic and copy their parents – so if they see you sitting in the chair, not scared and not in pain, they will do the same. Make going to the dentist a positive experience – make it fun and make a day of it. Many of our families combine their dentist visit with a day in Brisbane City, a trip to the museum or even Southbank. If you are nervous – don’t show this as your child will pick up on it. If you are very nervous and can’t hide it, it might be better to get someone else to take them along.

The best time to take your child to the dentist is when the first tooth comes through, or by 12 months of age if no teeth have come through yet. This lets the dentist check on the tooth development and that everything is progressing as it should. But it also gets your child used to going and to see there is nothing to fear. The dentist will be able to give you tailored advice about toothbrushing and diet. They can show you how to effectively brush and floss your child’s teeth.

What will happen at my child’s dental visit?

Other things the dentist will check is the position of the teeth and how they bite together. As your child gets older, it’s crucial to have this monitored as any abnormalities can be picked up soon which could help prevent orthodontic problems in the future (the need for braces).

The dentist can also give you advice on habits like the use of dummies and thumb sucking and advice relating to trauma to the teeth (from falls and accidents). If your child plays a contact sport, talk to your dentist about mouthguards. The best protection for your child’s teeth is a dentist-made custom fitting mouthguard. As it is made to measure it’s more comfortable and therefore more likely to be worn. It’s also more likely to stay in your child’s mouth if they get a knock to the face and so protect the teeth better. The extra cost is worth it, as dental trauma can have long-lasting effects and need treatment for many years.

Why Baby Teeth Matter

Many people wrongly believe that baby teeth aren’t important as they fall out. However, they are important for a number of reasons:

• The baby teeth make way and guide the position of the adult teeth. Early loss of a baby tooth (due to tooth decay or trauma), can affect the position of the adult teeth as they come through. This can result in the need for orthodontic treatment.
• Healthy baby teeth also play a huge role psychologically and socially for your child. Teeth play a role in the development of speech and give kids confidence to smile and speak. They also help with eating and nutrition.
• Decayed baby teeth will eventually cause pain. This leads to days off school, loss of appetite, loss of sleep and unscheduled trips to the dentist for treatment, which can be upsetting for young children.
• Finally, if there are decaying baby teeth in the mouth when adult teeth start to come through, there is more chance of the adult teeth developing decay also.

Worried about costs?

Here at Dentistry On George, we discount dental fees for all children under 18 and we accept all health funds.

Some families are eligible for free dental treatment through Medicare. This is called the Child Dental Benefits Scheme and covers $1,000 of dental costs over a 2 year period. To be eligible your child must be:

• 2 to 17 years old for at least 1 day that year
• eligible for Medicare
• getting a payment from us at least once a year, or have a parent getting a payment from us at least once a year.

If your child is due their dental check-up, or hasn’t been to the dentist before, don’t hesitate to call our friendly staff on 0732111155. We love treating children at Dentistry On George and setting them up for a life of healthy habits.

The post Healthy Dental Habits for Children first appeared on Dentistry on George.

Baby Teeth Matter More Than You Think

Even though baby teeth eventually fall out, they are crucial for:

• Chewing a wide variety of foods properly

• Supporting speech and language development

• Keeping space for adult teeth to grow in correctly

• Building social confidence and overall wellbeing

In Australia, around 11% of children aged 1–3 have already experienced tooth decay. Baby teeth are more vulnerable than adult teeth—they have larger pulp chambers, meaning decay can progress quickly and may require more complex treatment or even extraction. Early loss of baby teeth can also lead to misaligned permanent teeth, potentially requiring orthodontic care later on.

When Should Children See a Dentist?

The Australian Dental Association (ADA) recommends children visit the dentist by the time their first tooth appears, usually around 6 months, and certainly by age 1. Regular check-ups with a Brisbane CBD dentist at Dentistry on George help children get comfortable with dental visits and allow the dentist to:

• Detect early signs of tooth decay or gum disease

• Assess risk factors such as diet, brushing habits, and family history

• Ensure teeth are coming through in the right sequence and position

• Monitor habits like thumb-sucking or prolonged pacifier use, which may affect teeth alignment

Government Support for Children’s Dental Care

The Child Dental Benefit Scheme (CDBS) helps eligible families access essential dental care for children aged 2–17 years. This includes examinations, x-rays, cleanings, fillings, and extractions. Cosmetic or orthodontic treatments are not covered. Families can check eligibility and learn more through the Department of Human Services.

If your child is not eligible for the CDBS scheme, we do offer discounts for children and can access on the spot rebates from your health fund if you have one.

Creating Healthy Habits Early

Bringing your child to a gentle dentist in Brisbane for routine dental check-ups, teaching proper brushing and flossing techniques, and encouraging a balanced diet are key steps toward a lifetime of healthy teeth. Early intervention not only prevents decay but also reduces the likelihood of dental anxiety later in life.

At Dentistry on George, we love helping children start their dental journey on the right foot. If you’re looking for a family dentist in Brisbane CBD who provides gentle, professional care, book a visit today and set your child up for a healthy smile for years to come.

The post Why Early Oral Health Care is So Important for Kids first appeared on Dentistry on George.