Children's dental care
Kids dentist, child's first dental visit
Check-ups, prevention and treatment for baby teeth and new adult teeth.
Ask on WhatsApp whether this treatment is done at the clinic, and its fee.
What it is
Children's dental care covers check-ups, prevention and treatment for baby teeth and for the new adult teeth as they come in.
Baby teeth matter. Children use them to chew and speak, and they hold space for the adult teeth. Some baby teeth stay until about age 12.
When it is needed
- A first dental visit when the first tooth appears, or by the first birthday.
- Brown or black spots or holes on the teeth.
- A child who avoids chewing on one side or complains of toothache.
- Swelling or a pimple on the gum near a tooth.
- A fall or knock that chips, loosens or knocks out a tooth (see the dental pain page).
- Adult teeth coming in behind baby teeth that have not fallen out.
What happens, step by step
- At the first visit, a young child can sit on a parent's lap.
- The dentist checks the teeth, gums and bite, and how the teeth are coming in.
- Advice for the family on brushing, food and drinks, and fluoride.
- Fluoride varnish may be painted on the teeth to help prevent decay, and sealants may be suggested for the chewing surfaces of new adult back teeth.
- If treatment is needed, the dentist explains it to the parent and the child before starting.
At home
- Start brushing as soon as the first tooth appears, twice a day.
- Under 3 years, use a smear of fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice. From 3 to 6 years, a pea-sized amount.
- Brush your child's teeth for them until about age 7, then keep watching them brush.
- Do not put a baby to sleep with a bottle of milk, juice or sweet drink.
- Keep sweets, biscuits and sugary drinks to mealtimes.
- Teach children to spit out the toothpaste and not rinse straight away.
Fee
Common questions
Do baby teeth need treatment if they will fall out anyway?
Yes. Decay in baby teeth can cause pain and infection, make eating difficult and affect the adult teeth growing underneath.
When do adult teeth come in?
The first adult back teeth usually come in around age 6, behind the baby teeth. Most baby teeth are replaced between about 6 and 12 years of age.
My child is scared of the dentist. What can I do?
Talk about the visit calmly and simply, avoid words like "hurt" or "injection", and bring your child for a check-up before there is a problem, so the first visit is not for pain.
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. A dentist needs to examine you to advise on your own teeth.