Bite and alignment
How upper and lower teeth meet, spacing, and crowding as adult teeth come through. We say what is normal for their age and what is worth watching until the next visit.
See your visit journeyTreatments
We watch teeth, bite, jaws, and growing habits over time so small shifts are picked up before they become bigger concerns. At Fresh Smile in Dandenong this means clearer timing, steady monitoring, and referral only when a specialist look would actually help.
In this care
This care looks at bite, jaw growth, and daily habits, then sets out what to watch as your child keeps growing. The plan can change over time because growth rarely follows one fixed pattern.
How upper and lower teeth meet, spacing, and crowding as adult teeth come through. We say what is normal for their age and what is worth watching until the next visit.
See your visit journeyWe watch how jaws are developing and whether habits like thumb sucking, dummy use, or mouth breathing are affecting shape. The plan can change as they grow.
See your visit journeyClear next steps at home, honest timing for orthodontics if needed, and a referral when a specialist should look. We stay their dental home for exams and prevention.
Read FAQsFor parents
Children's growth and development checks in Dandenong watch bite, spacing, and habits as adult teeth come through. Fresh Smile explains what can wait, what to try at home, and when an orthodontist should look. Parents stay close, and we do not start braces here, so the plan stays honest about timing rather than rushed into treatment.
We look at how upper and lower teeth meet, crowding as adult teeth erupt, and whether dummy, thumb, mouth breathing, or grinding is changing jaw shape. Photos or X-rays are used only when they explain something we cannot see clearly.
This is usually part of a check up, not a separate mystery appointment. Book extra time if you already have a specific bite or habit worry.
We do not place braces here. We monitor growth and refer to an orthodontist when specialist care would help. Many children are watched for years before anything is needed, and that waiting is often the correct plan.
If we refer, we stay their dental home for exams, cleans, and prevention. The specialist looks after alignment. You should not feel passed on and forgotten.
Thumb sucking, prolonged dummy use, and mouth breathing can change how the jaws grow. We talk about age, how often it happens, and gentle ways to reduce the habit. We do not shame a child in the chair.
If a habit needs more support than we can give in a dental visit, we say so and suggest who should look next. Early honest timing is better than waiting until the bite is locked in.
Book sooner if teeth are very crowded, the bite feels wrong, a tooth is stuck, or a habit is getting worse rather than fading. Also book if a teacher or GP has mentioned mouth breathing or speech related to the teeth.
CDBS may cover the exam part of growth checks when the child is eligible. Eligibility is set by Services Australia. Call 03 8909 9337 if you want fees or CDBS talked through before you book.
Most of this work happens at a regular check up on David Street, unless you already have a specific bite or habit worry and we allow extra time. We watch crowding, how the jaws meet, thumb or dummy habits, and mouth breathing. Photos or X-rays are used only when they explain something we cannot see clearly.
If a specialist look would help, we refer and stay their dental home for exams and prevention. You should not feel talked into early braces because a tooth looks a little crooked this month. Book sooner if a tooth seems stuck, the bite feels wrong, or a teacher or GP has mentioned mouth breathing.
The process
Growth monitoring at Fresh Smile happens over a series of visits rather than in one isolated appointment. This is the usual path families follow when we are watching teeth, bite, and habits from school age through the teen years.
Online or by phone. Regular check ups are the best time to watch growth, or book if you have a specific concern.
We check teeth coming through, bite, and jaw shape. Photos or X rays only when they help explain what we see.
Thumb sucking, mouth breathing, and grinding can affect growth. We discuss what to watch and what to try at home.
You hear whether to wait, refer to an orthodontist, or come back sooner. We book the next visit before you leave when we can.
Honest answers
Quiet answers about braces, timing, habits, and whether anything really needs action right now for a growing smile in Dandenong. Many children only need steady monitoring, and knowing that can take a lot of pressure out of the decision.
Often yes, and that is fine. Many children are watched for years before anything is needed. We explain timing rather than rush into treatment.
Some crowding is normal as adult teeth come through. We watch whether it settles or needs a referral later.
Habits affect jaw shape over time. We talk about age, frequency, and gentle ways to reduce the habit before it becomes a bigger issue.
When bite or growth needs a specialist look, we explain why and suggest an orthodontist or other clinician. We stay part of the picture as their dental home.
Book a growth check
Book online or call the clinic if you have noticed crowding, thumb sucking, mouth breathing, or bite changes. We will explain what we are watching, what can wait, and when a referral would actually help.
Book appointmentBefore you book
Quiet answers about crooked teeth, orthodontics, X-rays, thumb sucking, and how often growth should be checked. The aim is steady guidance from a family dentist, not pressure to act too soon.
Some crowding is normal as adult teeth erupt. Book if teeth are very crowded, bite feels wrong, or a habit is affecting shape. We watch at regular visits either way.
We monitor growth and refer to an orthodontist when specialist care is needed. We stay as their dental home and can coordinate with the specialist over time.
Only when they help us see what is happening under the gums or between teeth. We explain why before we take them and use the lowest dose appropriate for their age.
Persistent habits can change jaw shape over time. We talk about age, how often it happens, and gentle strategies. We refer if specialist help would help.
Usually at regular six monthly check ups. If adult teeth are coming through quickly or we are watching a habit, we may ask you back sooner.
Growth checks are often part of a regular exam visit. Eligibility for CDBS is set by Services Australia. Call 03 8909 9337 if you want fees or rebates talked through.
Yes. You stay in the room. Growth talk is for the parent as much as the child, because habits and next steps sit at home.
We keep the language kind so a child is not shamed for a thumb or dummy habit in the chair.
Book sooner if teeth are very crowded, the bite feels wrong, a tooth seems stuck, or a habit is getting worse rather than fading.
Also book if a teacher or GP has mentioned mouth breathing or speech related to the teeth. Call 03 8909 9337 and we can help you choose the right slot.
All treatments
Book ongoing monitoring from school age through the teen years so changes in bite, spacing, or habits are noticed at the right time. We explain what to keep watching and refer only when a specialist should properly step in.
.webp)
Small changes in bite or spacing are easier to guide when we notice them early and keep watching over time.
.webp)
Thumb sucking, grinding, and mouth breathing can affect jaw shape, so we talk through what is worth trying at home.
.webp)
Knowing their history makes it easier to decide when to keep watching, when to refer, and what the next step should be.
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
