New Advice for Parents from Dr Adam Alford at MLC Centre Dental Surgery, Sydney

 When it comes to children’s dental care, Dr Adam Alford believes in starting early. His philosophy is clear: the sooner your child becomes familiar with oral hygiene and dental visits, the better their long-term outcomes will be.

Do Children Need a Pediatric Dentist?

Not always. A skilled general dentist is usually perfectly suitable for your child’s early dental needs. Pediatric dentists are specialists, and we’ll only refer your child to one if there’s something that requires more focused attention. Think of it like this: if you’re feeling under the weather, you typically see your GP—not a specialist—unless the situation demands it. Dentistry works the same way.

When Should I Start Cleaning My Baby’s Teeth?

Begin as early as possible. Let your baby explore a soft toothbrush—even just chewing on it helps them get used to the feeling. With gentle supervision, you can also softly brush their gums from time to time. The key is to make dental care feel normal from the beginning.

A Few Helpful Tips for Parents

  • Start brushing your child’s teeth as soon as their first teeth come in.

  • Schedule a dental visit between the ages of 1 and 2. Early exposure helps your child get comfortable with the sights, sounds, and smells of a dental clinic.

  • Bring them along to your own appointments. Watching you can ease their nerves and give you a chance to ask about things like thumb-sucking, dummies, bottle use, or concerns about tooth alignment.

  • Make it fun! Younger children might enjoy a ride in the dental chair or sitting on a parent’s lap while their teeth are gently examined.

By age 3, we aim to begin gentle cleaning, count their teeth, and introduce them to our hygienist or therapist. It’s a friendly, non-invasive way to check for any early signs of concern.

From age 4 onwards, we recommend six-monthly visits. These early habits not only help maintain good oral health but also build a strong foundation for lifelong dental hygiene.

Want to know what to expect during your child’s first dental appointment? Check out the video where our Oral Health Therapist walks you through the process.

Visit: https://www.adamalford.com.au/ 

Location: Australia

Comments

  1. Dentistry for kidsAugust 7, 2025 at 4:26 AM

    I never thought that pediatric dental care is so important. As a new parent, your article provides some insightful tips for me. Living in Brisbane, it’s hard to find good Specialist children’s dentist. That’s why I’m so thankful for the Children’s Dental Centre. They’ve made it their mission to support families in regional areas like Strathpine, Aspley and many more!

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