A child's first experience of the dentist shapes habits that last a lifetime. Our aim is for children to leave the chair without fear, and even with curiosity.
What is pediatric dentistry?
Pediatric dentistry looks after the oral and dental health of children aged 0 to 13. Children's teeth, jaws and behaviour differ from adults'; so both preventive care and treatment are planned around the child's age and development.
Why do milk teeth matter?
"They will fall out anyway" is a common but mistaken idea. Milk teeth:
- Let the child chew comfortably and eat a balanced diet.
- Play a part in speech development and pronouncing sounds correctly.
- Hold the space for, and guide, the permanent teeth coming up beneath them.
- Can cause pain and infection when decayed; infection can affect the permanent tooth bud below.
When a milk tooth is lost early, neighbouring teeth drift into the gap and the permanent tooth has no room to come through. This increases the need for orthodontic treatment later on.
Preventive care
Fissure sealants
The deep grooves on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth are places a brush cannot reach and where decay most often starts. A fissure sealant closes these grooves with a flowable filling material. It is painless and needs no anaesthetic.
Fluoride application
Fluoride varnish or gel applied to the teeth by the dentist strengthens the enamel against acids and helps stop early decay.
Oral care and diet advice
The child and family are shown the brushing technique and amount of toothpaste suited to the child's age, and which eating habits cause decay.
Treatments for children
- Fillings: Cleaning and filling decay in milk and permanent teeth
- Pulp treatment for milk teeth (pulpotomy): Saving milk teeth where decay has reached the nerve, without extraction
- Space maintainers: An appliance that holds the place of a milk tooth lost early until the permanent tooth comes through
- Extractions: Removing milk teeth that cannot be saved or that have not fallen out in time
- Trauma treatment: Treating teeth broken or knocked out by falls and knocks
What happens at the first visit?
- Getting acquaintedTime is given for the child to get to know the room, the chair and the instruments. Everything is first explained, then shown, then done.
- ExaminationThe teeth, gums and jaw development are checked. X-rays are taken if needed.
- Talking with the familyDiet, dummy and bottle use and habits such as thumb sucking are discussed, and advice for care at home is given.
- PlanPreventive care and any treatment needed are put in order. The first session starts with the simplest procedures possible.
When preparing your child for the visit, try not to use words like "don't be scared", "it won't hurt" or "needle". Saying "the dentist will count your teeth" is usually enough.
Frequently asked questions
When should I first take my child to the dentist?
A first visit is recommended after the first tooth comes through and by the age of one at the latest. This first visit is mostly about getting acquainted and advising the family.
Are milk teeth filled?
Yes. An untreated decayed milk tooth can cause pain and infection, and if lost early it can upset the alignment of the permanent teeth. So decay in milk teeth is filled too.
At what age are fissure sealants applied?
Usually when the first permanent molars come through, at around six. They can also be applied to the second molars, which come through at around twelve.
My child knocked a tooth out. What should I do?
If it is a permanent tooth, pick it up by the crown, not the root; if it is dirty rinse it briefly with water and do not scrub it. Put it back in place if you can; if not, keep it in milk or in the child's saliva and go to a dentist straight away. Milk teeth are not put back in, but an examination is still needed.
This page is for general information and is not a substitute for an examination. The right treatment for you is decided after your dentist's examination and any imaging needed.