Dentists for children's teeth

Regular dental check-ups matter for healthy children's teeth. Children can be introduced to a visit to the dentist very well when a check-up of their own is due. As a first step a children's book that describes an appointment at the dentist in a child-friendly way is also suitable. Your own attitude matters greatly to how a visit goes: the more relaxed, the better

Corresponding to the well-known check-ups at the paediatrician, there are early-detection examinations at the dentist. These involve dental monitoring of oral health in children up to the age of six. The first examination should take place within the first year of life. Further examinations take place up to the completion of the sixth year

The early-detection examinations cover the following services:

• a thorough examination to establish diseases of the teeth, mouth and jaw, including advice (inspection of the mouth)
• advice on diet and oral hygiene for parents and guardians, with the aim of reducing germs through lower consumption of sugary food and drink and improved oral hygiene
• recommendation and, where appropriate, prescription of suitable fluoridation agents to harden the enamel

Quite apart from these additional health-care services, you should accustom your child to coming to the dental practice for a check-up twice a year as a matter of course – prevention is simply better. For children and young people between the ages of six and 18, individual prevention is offered in order to prevent disease of the teeth. Among other things, individual prevention includes drawing up the oral hygiene assessment, which should be preceded by a thorough examination for diseases of the teeth, mouth and jaw

The oral hygiene assessment covers the appraisal of the patient's oral hygiene and the condition of their gums, as well as the identification and appraisal of deposits, often by staining the teeth. On the basis of the examination it has to be decided, for each patient and each set of findings, whether and which further preventive measures are indicated. The recording of the oral hygiene assessment is followed by an explanation of the causes of caries, bleeding gums and dental disease and of how to avoid them; advice on a tooth-friendly diet is given at the same time. As an accompanying measure, local fluoridation to harden the enamel with varnish, gel or similar may be indicated, as described above