Dentistry for Children

Why should I take my child to a Pediatric dentist?

Your child’s first set of teeth are called primary teeth or milk teeth. Strong and healthy primary teeth are crucial in your child’s overall well-being, in terms of helping him/her chew food properly, speak clearly and look aesthetically pleasing. 

A paediatric dentist will be able to provide valuable advice on cultivating good oral habits and how to properly brush and even floss your child’s teeth. They will also do professional dental cleaning and thorough checks with the aim of preventing any problems before they occur, such as assessing for decay or pointing out any abnormalities to take note of. The paediatric dentist can evaluate your child’s unfavourable oral habits before it is too late, and customize oral healthcare programmes designed to help your child with improving and maintaining optimal oral hygiene. 

They also provide important advice to parents on how to clean their infant’s teeth with specially designed toothbrushes or nutritional tips like limiting sugary liquids, especially before bedtime.

When should I start taking my child to the dentist?

The ideal age to begin taking your child to the dentist is when they are between 6 and 12 months old, after the first couple of teeth appears. From this time onwards, good oral hygiene and regular dental appointments play an important role in maintaining good oral health and help anticipate and prevent problems, instead of having to treat them when such problems arise. As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure!

Why is it important to take my child to the dentist early? 

If you bring your child in early enough and frequently, your child will gradually learn that a dental visit is nothing to be afraid of. 

Many a times, dental fear and anxiety may be initiated from a poor first or past dental experience when young. If not addressed, this may further be translated into adulthood.

A paediatric dentist is specially trained to acclimatize young children to simple steps such as sitting comfortably in the dental chair by himself/herself for a dental check-up with a mouth mirror, as well as teeth cleaning. Before you know it, your child will be enjoying himself/herself at the visit so much that he/she cannot wait for the next routine visit!

How often should my child see the dentist?

While there is no fixed rule per se, it is generally recommended that your child visits the dentist every 6 months. Your dentist will be able to suggest a schedule of visits for your child based on their dental condition and behaviour in the dental clinic setting. 

Bringing your child for regular dental check-ups can help to prevent serious diseases, save overall time and money, as well as help your child maintain good oral health which will plays a part in eating and speaking and confidence. 

As children grow, their teeth and jaws are ever changing. A paediatric dentist is also specially trained to account for such complex developmental processes, and cater to the needs of their growing mouths.

Together, we work hand-in-hand to watch (and intervene where necessary) your child grow and develop, eventually blossoming into a fine young adult!

What should I DO as a parent wanting to bring my child to a dentist? 

• Come with an open mind, treating a child is totally different from treating an adult
• Bring along your child’s own toothbrush and toothpaste
• Be a role model for your child in terms of dental hygiene and diet
• Accompany your child for the first visit instead of letting any other relatives take them 
• Let the dentist and dental staff know about any special or medical needs when making your first appointment

What should I NOT DO as a parent wanting to bring my child to a dentist? 

• Do not use adult terminology such as “pain”, “drill”, “needle”, “injection” when talking to your child
• Do not bribe your child into going to the dentist or turn a dental visit into a punishment 
• Do not tell your child scary stories about dental visits as this will instil fear and deter them from wanting to visit the dentist. 

What services does a childrens’ dentist provide?

Dr Nicole provides a whole range of paediatric dental services, including but not limited to:

Preventive services

• Oral health education
• Fluoride application
• Remineralising therapies
• Fissure sealants

Therapeutic services

• Scaling and prophylaxis
• Fillings, nerve treatment, stainless steel crowns, extractions
• Interceptive orthodontics
• Treatment under general anaesthesia
• Management of children with special medical and developmental healthcare needs
• Management of acute dental infections
• Management of children with cleft lip and palate or other craniofacial conditions

Dental Trauma Management for Children

• Emergency management of fractured or displaced primary or permanent teeth
• Long-term follow-up care and management of traumatized teeth