(IV) Health & prevention — No. 13
Paediatric Dentistry
First impressions last a lifetime.
Protecting children's teeth from infancy to adolescence, and building a relationship with the dentist based on trust.
At a glance
- First visit
- At the first tooth, or by age 1
- Check-ups
- Every 6 months
- Duration
- Usually 20–40 min
- Approach
- Playful, step by step
Durations and visit counts are typical values; they vary from person to person and become clear after an examination.
A child’s first meeting with a dentist can shape their whole relationship with oral health. So the aim of the first visits is not treatment but acquaintance: sitting in the chair, seeing the instruments, asking questions.
Milk teeth are temporary but they matter. They hold the space for chewing, for speech and for the permanent teeth growing beneath them. A milk tooth lost too early can affect how the permanent teeth line up.
Preventive care — sealants, fluoride and good eating habits — is at its most effective in childhood.
Who it is for
- Babies with their first tooth
- Children of check-up age
- Children with decay, pain or a knock to the teeth
- Children who feel anxious about the dentist
Options
- 01
Fissure sealants
Sealing the grooves of the molars to protect them from decay.
- 02
Fluoride
A protective application that strengthens the enamel.
- 03
Treatment of milk teeth
Fillings, root treatment of milk teeth and crowns.
- 04
Space maintainers
Holding the place of a milk tooth lost early, for the permanent tooth to come.
The process
Getting to know each other
We meet the child and the family; the examination is playful and step by step.
Assessment
Teeth, jaw growth and habits are examined.
Protection
Sealants and fluoride are applied if needed.
Guidance for the family
Advice on brushing, diet and habits is shared.
—The Dent BB approach
With children our first aim is trust. We treat at the pace a child is ready for, in words the child understands.
Honest expectations
- Some children need a few visits to settle; rushing can increase anxiety.
- Preventive care lowers the risk of decay but does not replace daily brushing.
- Additional methods can be considered for severe anxiety or extensive treatment.
Aftercare
- Start brushing as soon as the first tooth appears, with an age-appropriate amount of fluoride toothpaste
- Avoid falling asleep with a bottle
- Limit sugary snacks
- A check-up every six months
Frequently asked
When should my child first see a dentist?
When the first tooth appears, or by the first birthday at the latest.
Do milk teeth really need treatment?
Yes. Untreated decay can cause pain and infection, and affect the permanent teeth beneath.
My child is very afraid — what can we do?
We start with get-to-know-you visits. At home, never presenting the dentist as a punishment or something to fear helps a great deal.
Is fluoride safe?
Used in age-appropriate amounts and as advised by the dentist, it is safe and lowers the risk of decay.
This page is for information. A diagnosis and a treatment plan require an examination.