The Complete Guide to Children's Dental Health at Smile Solutions Melbourne product guide

Smile Solutions Children's Dentistry: Your Complete Guide to Kids' Dental Health

Your child's dental health journey starts earlier than most parents expect — and the habits built in childhood set the foundation for a lifetime of healthy, confident smiles. At Smile Solutions, located in the heritage Manchester Unity Building at 220 Collins Street in Melbourne's CBD, the children's dentistry team combines specialist clinical expertise with a genuinely child-friendly environment to make dental visits positive and reassuring from the very first appointment.

Rated 4.9 stars across 937 Google reviews, Smile Solutions has been Melbourne's trusted family dental practice since 1993.

When should my child first visit the dentist?

The recommended timing for a child's first dental visit is when their first tooth appears, or by their first birthday — whichever comes first. This may seem early, but there are good clinical reasons for starting young.

Dr Susan Hinckfuss, specialist paediatric dentist at Smile Solutions, explains: "The first visit is not about performing procedures — it is about establishing a positive relationship with the dental environment before any problems develop. A child who has been coming in since they were a toddler approaches dental care as a normal, unremarkable part of life. That is a gift that lasts their entire life."

Early visits allow the dentist to monitor tooth eruption timing and identify irregularities, detect enamel defects that increase susceptibility to decay, spot habits like thumb sucking or dummy use that may affect the developing bite, and give you practical guidance on foods, drinks and home care suited to your child's age. Perhaps most importantly, they let your child build comfort and confidence in the dental environment at their own pace.

Starting early is one of the most valuable investments you can make in your child's long-term oral health.

Dental development stages

Baby teeth. Your child's first baby teeth typically emerge between 6 and 10 months of age, beginning with the lower front incisors. A full set of 20 primary teeth is usually in place by around age 3. Despite being temporary, baby teeth matter — they hold space for the permanent teeth developing beneath them, support speech development, enable comfortable chewing, and influence facial growth.

Teething. Teething typically causes mild irritability, drooling and gum tenderness. Cold teething rings and gentle gum massage provide relief. Avoid teething gels containing benzocaine, which are not recommended for children.

Mixed dentition. From around age 6 to 12, your child will have a mix of baby and permanent teeth. The first permanent molars emerge around age 6 — often before parents realise — and are among the most important teeth in the mouth. Because they erupt without replacing any baby teeth, they can easily go unnoticed. Dr Hinckfuss notes: "The first permanent molars are frequently overlooked because they erupt quietly at the back of the mouth. By the time a parent realises their child has these teeth, they may already have early decay. This is why regular check-ups from age one are so important."

Permanent dentition. Permanent teeth continue erupting from age 6 through to the late teens, with wisdom teeth typically emerging between 17 and 25.

Fissure sealants: protecting vulnerable teeth

Fissure sealants are among the most effective preventive tools in children's dentistry. The deep grooves on the chewing surfaces of back teeth trap food and bacteria that a toothbrush simply cannot reach. According to the Australian Dental Association, a tooth fissure is five times more likely to develop decay than any other tooth surface.

Fissure sealants are protective coatings applied directly to these grooves. The procedure requires no drilling or injections and takes only a few minutes per tooth. Research shows that even after five years of normal wear, a sealed tooth carries half the decay risk of an unsealed one.

The ideal time to apply fissure sealants is immediately after each permanent molar erupts — around age 6 for the first molars, and again at age 12 for the second molars. Children generally cannot brush these teeth effectively until around age 8 to 10, which leaves a real window of vulnerability. Fissure sealants close that window during the years when cavities are most likely to form.

Fluoride for children's teeth

Fluoride is the most evidence-based preventive tool in dentistry. It strengthens enamel mineral structure to resist acid attack, inhibits the bacteria that produce acid in dental plaque, and promotes remineralisation of early decay before it becomes a cavity.

Your child should use a small smear of fluoride toothpaste from the time their first tooth appears, moving to a pea-sized amount from around age 3. Children's toothpastes contain fluoride concentrations appropriate for their age and are safe if swallowed in small amounts.

Professional fluoride treatments at dental visits provide an additional layer of protection, and are particularly useful for children with a history of decay, enamel defects or dry mouth. The team at Smile Solutions will assess your child's individual risk and recommend a fluoride programme suited to their needs.

Thumb sucking and dummy habits

Thumb sucking and dummy use are normal self-soothing behaviours in infancy. Most children stop naturally by age 2 to 4. If these habits continue past age 5, they can start to affect how the bite develops and how the dental arches form.

Prolonged thumb or dummy habits can contribute to an open bite (where the front teeth don't meet when the back teeth are together), a narrowed upper arch, and protrusion of the upper front teeth.

Dr Kia Pajouhesh, principal dentist and founder of Smile Solutions, puts it plainly: "Many parents are surprised to learn that early orthodontic assessment at age 6 or 7 is appropriate — not because treatment necessarily happens at that age, but because identifying habits and growth patterns early opens up treatment options that simply are not available once growth is complete."

If your child has a persistent dummy or thumb habit, an early conversation with their paediatric dentist will help you understand when and how to address it, and whether any monitoring of the developing bite is warranted.

Children's dental anxiety: creating positive experiences

Dental anxiety in children is common and understandable — but with the right approach, it's also manageable. At Smile Solutions, supporting your child's emotional comfort is a core part of every appointment.

Dr Hinckfuss describes the approach: "We use a 'tell, show, do' model — we tell the child what we are going to do, show them the instrument and how it works, and then do the procedure. At any point, if a child signals distress or simply wants a break, we stop. Control and predictability are the two most powerful tools for building a child's confidence in the dental chair."

Practical strategies for parents include starting regular visits before a problem develops, so your child's first experience isn't associated with pain or urgency. Bringing your child to your own check-up first so they can watch from the sideline also helps. Avoid words like "needle," "drill" or "hurt" — the team uses child-friendly language throughout. Your child is welcome to bring a favourite toy or comfort object, and setting up dentist role-play at home with stuffed toys can take the mystery out of the visit. Dr Hinckfuss' team can even provide gloves and masks for props.

Treatment rooms feature TV screens playing child-friendly content, and there's a prize box after every visit.

Happy gas (nitrous oxide). For children who are cooperative but genuinely anxious, nitrous oxide is a safe and clinically well-established option. It provides mild sedation, reduces discomfort and anxiety, takes effect within minutes, and wears off completely within minutes of stopping. Happy gas has an excellent safety record in paediatric dentistry.

General anaesthesia. For young children with complex treatment needs, or children with special needs who cannot tolerate awake treatment, general anaesthesia in a private hospital is available. This allows comprehensive care to be completed safely in a single session. Smile Solutions coordinates with specialist paediatric anaesthetists at Melbourne private hospitals to ensure the highest standard of care.

Mouth breathing in children

Mouth breathing is a common but frequently underappreciated issue in children. Habitual mouth breathing — rather than nasal breathing — can contribute to altered facial development and narrowed dental arches, dry mouth and increased cavity risk, poor sleep quality and daytime fatigue, and behavioural and concentration difficulties linked to disrupted sleep.

Orofacial myologist Monica Cain, who works with both children and adults at Smile Solutions, explains: "Mouth breathing in children is often the first sign of an airway issue that needs investigation. Whether the cause is enlarged tonsils and adenoids, a nasal septum deviation or habitual patterns, the impact on a child's developing face and sleep quality can be significant. Early assessment and myofunctional therapy can make a real difference."

Myofunctional therapy is a programme of oral and facial muscle exercises designed to retrain breathing, swallowing and tongue position — the foundational functions that shape a child's developing face. The team works alongside other specialists where needed to deliver genuinely comprehensive care.

Early orthodontic assessment

The Australian Society of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic assessment by age 7. At this age, a specialist orthodontist can identify developing problems — crowding, crossbites, skeletal imbalances — and determine whether early intervention will produce a better outcome than waiting for all permanent teeth to erupt.

Early assessment doesn't always mean early treatment. It means early awareness and careful planning. For some children, a simple appliance at age 8 or 9 can create space and guide jaw growth in a way that significantly reduces the complexity and duration of later orthodontic treatment.

Complimentary orthodontic consultations are available at Smile Solutions with a team of experienced specialist orthodontists.

Wisdom teeth: what parents should know about timing

Most parents assume wisdom teeth are something to deal with at university or in the mid-20s. Dr Kia Pajouhesh, who has more than 30 years of clinical experience, takes a different view: when wisdom teeth are indicated for removal, the ideal age is 16 to 17.

The reasons are both clinical and practical. At 16 to 17, wisdom tooth roots are still short and not yet close to the inferior alveolar nerve — a nerve relationship that can cause temporary or permanent altered sensation in older patients. The jaw bone is less dense and heals more readily. Recovery from a straightforward extraction at this age takes three to five days, with most teenagers back to normal by the end of that window. And your child is still at home with you to provide what they need: soft foods, cold packs, rest and reassurance.

Year 10 or Year 11 is also the practical sweet spot — before the pressure of Year 12 exams, before university and early-career schedules fill up, and while your child is still on your family's private health insurance. Earlier extractions are simpler, attract lower surgical fees, and the hospital cover component of your private health insurance applies during what is typically the most straightforward window for the procedure.

The first step is an OPG radiograph in mid-adolescence. If the wisdom teeth don't have adequate space to erupt into a functional position, the clinical recommendation is clear: act early.

For a comprehensive guide to wisdom teeth timing — including the full clinical rationale, what the OPG reveals, and whether extraction is right for your child — see our dedicated article: When Is the Best Age to Have Wisdom Teeth Removed? Expert Advice from Dr Kia Pajouhesh. Call 13 13 96 to arrange an assessment.

Child Dental Benefits Schedule

The Australian Government's Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) provides up to $1,095.60 over two consecutive calendar years for basic dental services for eligible children aged 0 to 17. This is the 2026 benefit cap.

Eligibility. Your child is eligible if they are covered by Medicare, aged 0 to 17 at any point in the calendar year, and your family receives a relevant Australian Government payment such as Family Tax Benefit Part A. Once assessed as eligible, your child retains eligibility for the full calendar year.

How the two-year period works. The $1,095.60 cap applies across two consecutive calendar years from the year of first use. The full cap can be used in the first year if needed, and any unused balance carries to the second year. Unused balance at the end of the two-year period does not roll over.

What's covered. CDBS benefits apply to examinations, x-rays, cleans, fissure sealants, fillings, extractions, and some endodontic treatment. Orthodontic treatment and cosmetic dental work are not covered.

Billing at Smile Solutions. Smile Solutions charges standard practice fees for CDBS patients, with patients claiming their Medicare rebate directly. To check your child's eligibility or current cap balance, contact Services Australia on 132 150. The team at Smile Solutions is happy to advise on your child's CDBS entitlements and ensure all eligible services are correctly itemised.

Paediatric dental packages at Smile Solutions

Smile Solutions offers age-appropriate paediatric packages designed to provide comprehensive, personalised care:

• Pixie Package (ages 1–3): $135 — check-up, examination, dietary advice
• Gnome Package (ages 4–7): $170 — check-up, x-rays, clean, fluoride, dietary and hygiene advice
• Unicorn Package (ages 8–17): $225 — comprehensive check-up, x-rays, scale and clean, fluoride, fissure sealant assessment, oral hygiene instruction

Payment plans are available through Payright, Humm and MyDentaPlan.

Frequently asked questions

At what age should my child first see a dentist? By their first birthday, or when their first tooth appears — whichever comes first. Starting early establishes a positive relationship with dental care, allows for early detection of developmental concerns, and gives you practical guidance on home care for your baby's teeth and gums.

My child has chalky-looking patches on their teeth. What is this? This is likely Molar Incisor Hypomineralisation (MIH) — a developmental condition affecting the mineral quality of one or more first permanent molars and sometimes the front incisors. Affected teeth have weakened enamel that is more susceptible to decay and sensitivity. MIH requires careful monitoring and often additional protective treatments such as fissure sealants and high-fluoride applications. Dr Susan Hinckfuss has significant clinical experience managing MIH in children and will develop a treatment plan tailored to your child's needs.

My child knocked out a baby tooth. What should I do? First, find the tooth and check that it hasn't been inhaled — if you can't locate it, seek medical attention promptly. Once found, do not attempt to replant a baby tooth (unlike adult teeth), as this risks damaging the developing permanent tooth beneath. Store the tooth in milk or saline and see a children's dentist as soon as possible to assess the socket and check for any other injuries.

What if my child knocks out a permanent tooth? Time is critical. Pick up the tooth by the crown, not the root, and do not clean it. If possible, gently reposition it in the socket and bite down gently to hold it in place. If replanting isn't possible, store the tooth in milk and seek emergency dental care within 30 minutes. Call Smile Solutions immediately on 13 13 96.

Are dental x-rays safe for children? Yes. Modern digital x-rays use very low doses of radiation. The diagnostic benefit of detecting decay between teeth or monitoring root development far outweighs the minimal radiation exposure involved. Smile Solutions uses digital x-ray technology that minimises radiation while delivering high-quality diagnostic images.

Should my child wear a mouthguard for sport? Any child who plays contact or collision sports should wear a custom-fitted mouthguard. Custom mouthguards made by a dental professional offer significantly better protection than over-the-counter boil-and-bite versions, which often fit poorly and get removed by children because they're uncomfortable.

When should I ask about my teenager's wisdom teeth? Around age 14 to 15 is the right time to raise it with your dentist. An OPG radiograph at this age will show the developing wisdom teeth and the space available for them. If extraction is likely to be needed, acting at 16 to 17 is the clinical recommendation — roots are shorter, bone is less dense, recovery is faster, and the procedure is simpler than the equivalent surgery at 22 or 25.

Book your child's appointment

Smile Solutions is located in the Manchester Unity Building in Melbourne's CBD. The children's dentistry team, led by specialist paediatric dentist Dr Susan Hinckfuss, offers comprehensive care from infancy through the teenage years.

Call 13 13 96 to book your child's appointment, or visit www.smilesolutions.com.au for more information. Smile Solutions is open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays.