Pediatric Dentistry

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend that the first dental visit take place after the first tooth comes through (usually between 6 months and 1 year of age).

The primary role of a pediatric dentist is to protect your children from tooth decay. The aim of this first visit at an early age is to show you what you can do to prevent your baby's teeth from decaying, and to monitor their dental health by inviting you back for check-ups at regular intervals.

Before treatment, what you should avoid doing matters even more than what you should do.

• Avoid telling your child things like “don't be scared, it won't hurt at all” before treatment. Phrases like these can plant the idea in a child's subconscious that it might hurt.
• Don't reward your child with a gift after a dental appointment. Rewards can make your child perceive the visit as something difficult.
• It is better not to talk to your child about your own good or bad past experiences in the dentist's chair.
• Avoid frightening statements such as telling your child that if they don't go to the dentist their teeth will decay more and they may later need an injection and have the tooth pulled. All of the procedures you use to scare them may one day be treatments your child actually needs.
• Don't promise your child that the dentist will do nothing more than look at their teeth. Let your child and the pediatric dentist decide together what will be done at the first appointment.

At the first dental visit, the pediatric dentist examines all of your child's teeth using a small mirror and a light, and shares any existing problems and treatment options with you. Parents also receive guidance on nutrition and preventive care, which are among the most important topics. At this first visit, pedodontists help your child get used to the dentist through a painless experience, often using games and play. This approach helps prevent and overcome fear of the dentist.

• We prefer that you, as the child's parents, bring your child to treatment appointments yourselves.
• Unless told otherwise, please make sure your child has eaten before the appointment.
• Children who are very cooperative during dental treatment can suddenly become uncooperative once they get tired or bored. This can also have a negative effect on their future appointments.
• For this reason, please do not pressure your child or the dentist to carry out more procedures in one visit.
• While your child is being treated, avoid asking questions such as “Does it hurt? Are you tired?” that could undermine their motivation.