Child dentist: a specialist in paediatric care
Good oral hygiene is essential to your child's growth, and it's at an early age that good practices need to be learned. Children's dentists and pediatricians are here to support you at every stage of your child's dental development.
These specialists are in the best position to monitor the child both preventively and curatively.
What is a paediatric dentist?
A paediatric dentist, also known as a "pedodontist", is a dentist who specialises in the care of children. His role is to provide care with pedagogy, reassurance and explanation. He also has a mission of prevention and teaching oral hygiene from a very young age.
His aim is to reassure your child by explaining the care he will be giving in simple, age-appropriate words. Under no circumstances will he use complicated terms or medical jargon. The dentist will reassure the patient, but above all avoid frightening him or her.
The role of the paedodontist is also to create a relationship of trust with the parents and an optimal follow-up of the dental care.
What is the first visit with a child dentist like?
First of all, the paedodontist will gather all the information he needs about the child and his profile. In order to establish a relationship of trust, the dentist begins by introducing himself and showing the child around the practice. The child will then be able to ask all the questions he or she has in mind.
The child is then invited to the chair so that the paediatric dentist can make the first checks. At this first appointment, no treatment is performed unless the paediatrician feels it is necessary and the child is ready and confident. If there are no problems, the very first X-rays are usually taken at around 5 or 6 years of age.
During the first visit, the child dentist will talk to you about the child's eating habits. It is important to remember that snacking has an impact on the development of cavities.
Throughout the appointments, the pedodontist will discuss the importance of regular and appropriate brushing. As a reminder, it is essential to brush your teeth at least twice a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste adapted to the child's age.
The dentist can also, if necessary, explain to the child how to brush his or her teeth properly, using playful techniques and simple tips.
In all cases, regular monitoring should be established to ensure your child's oral health.
How do you prepare your child for a first date?
Visiting the dentist is an unknown experience for your child, and can be perceived as a source of anxiety. That's why it's so important to prepare your child before the appointment. We recommend that you explain to your child what's going to happen without going into too much detail, using appropriate vocabulary.
For example, you can tell her that a man in a white coat is going to look in her mouth to check that her teeth are growing properly. He uses small instruments and a lamp to get a good look. Do not use negative words or phrases, such as "sting" or "pain". If you are anxious yourself, your stress could also destabilise the child.
Children's dentist: specialised dental care
A children's dental practice provides age-appropriate dental care for children and adolescents. It is important to create a unique environment where the child feels reassured and comfortable.
Children's dental care generally offers comprehensive check-ups, preventive services for children and adolescents including cleanings and digital x-rays. Orthodontic care, cavity treatment, dental staining and management of childhood anxiety.
Dental solutions are offered such as ceramic pedodontic crowns, white composite fillings, extractions and space maintainers. But also appliances to correct dislocated, billed or completely lost teeth.
Dental care specifically adapted to your children
Going to a paediatric dentist for your child's dental care is the best thing to do. He or she will be able to diagnose your child perfectly. This way, he or she will be able to suggest a dental treatment that is perfectly adapted to your child's needs.
At the end of each session, a medicine containing fluoride is applied to your child's teeth. This strengthens the tooth enamel locally and reduces the risk of cavities by about 35%. However, for two hours after the treatment, your child will not be allowed to eat or drink.
MEOPA, more popularly known as laughing gas, is a drug frequently used in paediatric emergencies to relax the child and allow for the best possible care.
This is a gas that the child breathes in through a mask placed over his nose and mouth. The child (awake) answers our questions. He feels relaxed and is a little disconnected from reality. The use of MEOPA has good results and often avoids general anaesthesia.
When it comes todental hygiene, it's vital that your child knows how to brush properly. The dentist will give your child all the oral hygiene instructions he needs in a fun way, with a plaque detector and a real electric toothbrush.
A dentist who listens to your child
The paediatric dentist will be able to answer all your questions, and you can ask him or her for real advice, particularly on your child's oral hygiene.
The dentist is a good listener and will be able to communicate easily with your child, if necessary.
If your child is too shy to talk, he or she will be able to answer questions perfectly well if you tell them about your child's concerns. In any case, you will be dealing with someone who really listens, which is not insignificant.
As you can see, the paediatric dentist will be perfectly able to inform you about the different treatments that you will have to give your child. The dentist will also listen to your child and will be able to give him/her all the advice he/she needs to have a good oral hygiene.
Fear of the dentist in children: how is it managed?
Without the presence of a true alliance between parent-child and dentist, it is difficult to establish a bond of trust with the child.
First, it is important to announce the dental visit as an opportunity for your child to take care of their oral health in a normal way.
To ensure that your teenager has a positive experience on their first visit, it is important to be selective in your choice of vocabulary. It is essential to avoid using words that might frighten them.
The presence of the parents is essential to help the dentist build a good relationship with them. Once your child and/or teenager is familiar with the office environment, the paedodontist will be able to establish a trusting relationship and obtain the child's cooperation more easily.
Specialist dental practices generally provide dental care in a non-traumatic way in a safe and reassuring environment.
Specialists for children at the Centre Dentaire Chêne-Bourg
The paediatric dentistry department at the Centre Dentaire Chêne-Bourg is dedicated exclusively to children, from birth to adolescence. Our dentists will accompany you over the long term in order to treat the dental care of the whole family.
An area reserved for children
The Chêne-Bourg Dental Centre has a fully equipped waiting room, as well as treatment rooms reserved for children.
The environment of the centre creates a friendly, relaxed and fun atmosphere, making the visit of the little ones a happy experience.
It is important to us that children have fun coming to the dentist, while receiving quality care using the latest technology.
A team of dentists trained in child care
The Centre Dentaire Chêne-Bourg has highly specialised, gentle and sensitive dentists. They are able to provide dental care for your children.
Our team consists of complementary and competent dentists, periodontists, orthodontists and dental hygienists. In addition, we have dentists trained in the care of children's teeth.
The treatments provided meet the current quality requirements taught in the dental faculties of Swiss universities.
Our specialists will advise you on how to care for your child's teeth. They will also give you various suggestions on how to deal with any problems that may arise from an early age.
The Chêne-Bourg Dental Centre attaches great importance to accompanying and instilling confidence in the child from the moment of arrival in order to guarantee an impeccable quality of care.
Discover also the Centre Dentaire Lancy and the Centre Dentaire Champel
