Pediatric Dentistry
Many parents have the misconception that their children do not need to visit a pediatric dentist in Singapore since their kids’ baby teeth will fall out eventually. However, your child’s dental care is an essential aspect of their overall health.
If you want your child to grow up with a healthy smile on their face, we recommend finding a pediatric dentist that your child feels comfortable with during their visits. In fact, the Singapore Dental Association recommends that parents bring children to a dentist for their first visit soon after the first baby tooth comes in.
At Thomson Dental Centre, we love seeing children at our practice, and we look forward to seeing kids’ faces light up with smiles. Our pediatric dentists will do their best to help patients feel happy and positive about their visits. We offer extensive dental services for kids of all ages – from infants and toddlers to young children, tweens, and teens.
Developing bright, healthy smiles for every child!
Our pediatric dentists understand that dental visits can be scary for some kids. That is why we work hard to make each dental visit fun and child-orientated, ensuring every child feels comfortable at all times during their visit. We want their experience to be positive so that they enjoy looking after their smiles for life.
When shall I make my appointment?
We recommend scheduling an appointment with our pediatric dentists as soon as your child’s first teeth erupt after the age of one. Rest assured that our team of pediatric dentists will strive to provide excellent service and ensure your child feels as comfortable as possible throughout the visit. We recommend making a morning appointment for your child, as children are generally more cooperative in the morning.
What you can expect during the first dental visit
During your child’s first dental visit, we aim to help them feel comfortable with their pediatric dentist. This is achieved by using the best, most up-to-the-minute dental technologies available to put your child’s safety and comfort above all. The first visit usually lasts around 30 to 45 minutes. Depending on your child’s age, our pediatric dentist will conduct a thorough examination of their teeth and gums to ensure everything is developing correctly. If necessary, our pediatric dentist may also provide gentle cleaning of your child’s teeth.
How to prepare your child for their first dental visit
During your child’s first dental visit, our pediatric dentist will conduct an assessment of your child’s teeth to see if they are developing properly. Our dentist will also look out for signs of hidden decay, cavities, or other issues. If your child has an overgrowth of bacteria on their teeth, we may need to polish their teeth. Subsequently, the dentist will educate you on how to take care of your child’s teeth and gums properly. Feel free to consult our pediatric dentists if you have questions about your child’s oral health.
As you go about preparing your child for their first dental visit, let us share a couple of dos and don’ts to keep in mind to ensure a more seamless first visit for your child.
Dos:
- Do make the first appointment sound positive.
- Do try and help your child understand that having their teeth and gums checked is good for them.
Don’ts:
- Don’t use dental visits as punishments.
- Don’t let your child listen to scary stories about visiting the dentist.
- Don’t bribe your child into going to the dentist for their first visit. Bribes may appear to children as ways of making them do something that may hurt or disadvantage them.
It is vital to set a positive precedent for dental appointments during your child’s early years to help them cultivate positive, lifelong oral hygiene habits.