General dentistry

Treatment of children

General dentistry, also known as omnipractice, is practiced by all our dentists.

It comprises 3 categories:

Conservative treatment (cavity treatment): the least invasive and longest-lasting techniques for restoring tooth integrity
Endodontics (root treatment): when the dental nerve is damaged, root treatment requires great finesse and state-of-the-art equipment.
the pediatric dentistry (care of children): a specific, gentle approach to children’s care

Pediatric dentistry, also known as pedodontics, is the specialty of dentistry that focuses on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of dental pathologies in children.

At what age do teeth appear?

Baby teeth

The appearance of baby teeth can vary considerably from one child to the next. Milk incisors are usually the first to erupt at around 6 months, followed by milk canines and molars. Milk teeth are complete between 2 and 3 years of age. If your child experiences pain during the eruption of baby teeth, you can relieve it by gently rubbing the gums with your clean finger, or by letting him or her chew on a refrigerated soft plastic teething ring. Be careful! Teething does not make a baby sick or feverish. Don't underestimate a fever - consult your paediatrician if in doubt!

Permanent teeth

The first permanent teeth appear around the age of 6, growing in the back of the mouth behind the last milk teeth. The other permanent teeth then gradually replace the milk teeth. Complete permanent dentition is generally achieved by the age of 14. The basis for any treatment of children is the establishment of a relationship of trust. To achieve this, the dentist has additional communication skills and know-how: adapting to the child's character, a personalized relationship, gentle gestures, etc.

Preventive dentistry

Prevention starts at an early age…

At our Balexert dental center, we make dental prevention a point of honor. The first player in this prevention is you, the parents! You play a vital role in the health and hygiene of your child’s teeth, and this role begins at home, from birth:

avoid saliva exchanges: don’t check the temperature of the bottle by sucking the teat, test food with a different spoon, avoid kissing on the mouth. These precautions are designed to limit early colonization of the child’s oral cavity by cariogenic bacteria that adults carry, notably Streptococcus mutans.
avoid bottles (with contents other than water) at night as soon as possible

Prevention continues as soon as the first teeth appear:

brush teeth: introduce brushing as a ritual every evening after meals, then increase to 3 brushings a day as soon as possible
help young children: they are not capable of brushing their teeth properly. It’s up to parents to do it for them, or to help them up to the age of around 8
control diet: avoid excessive consumption of sugars, mainly outside mealtimes
give up thumb sucking or lolettes by age 4 at the latest

Taking care of children

At what age should you take your child to the dentist?

A first check-up at the age of 2 (when the baby teeth are established) is advisable to gain the child’s trust and enable the dentist to pass on to the child and his or her parents the essential preventive measures.

It’s better to have regular, innocuous check-ups than to wait until a dental emergency arises before consulting the dentist. Regular check-ups with your dentist will enable you to :

find out whether your brushing is sufficient
detect potential dental problems at an early stage

What problems are encountered with baby teeth?

Healthy milk teeth are essential for the development of permanent teeth, as well as for your child’s general health. The various pathologies of milk teeth must therefore be treated seriously.

Cavities

They are the main problem with baby teeth, and can occur as soon as the teeth appear and develop rapidly.

For younger children, there are multiple cavities affecting all teeth, known as baby bottle cavities. These occur in children who have a bottle of sweetened liquid (including cow’s milk) at all times or at bedtime, and who have inadequate oral hygiene.

In the particular case of prolonged breast-feeding without adequate hygiene, multiple early caries can also occur.

Trauma

Dental malposition

Our care for children

All children are welcome at the Centre Médico-Dentaire Balexert. Our team addresses the full range of pediatric dental pathologies and cares for your child in a relaxed atmosphere. To achieve this, we use a variety of methods: detailed explanations of the session, the provision of friendly demonstration cuddly toys, chairside cartoons during treatment and, in special cases, treatment under light sedation.

Lasting good oral health requires a good start between the dentist and your child. We implement a structured approach designed to limit potential stress for the child as much as possible. For example, unless there is a real dental emergency, the first check-up session is designed to establish the bond of trust between child and practitioner. However, these techniques require time, patience and sensitivity on the part of both the treatment team and the parents. To be fully successful, it’s vital that the child and parents work together (don’t worry about your child!), and we’re here to help. We try to involve parents in our care process as much as possible.

Don't leave yourself open to dental problems: teach your child good dental hygiene from an early age and get professional advice!

Your comfort

The use of dental dam

Armchair DVD screen

Care for this problem

Monoxide sedation

Practitioners who can help with this problem

Dr Daniela Lazzarotto Prudente

What is a pediatric dentist?

A pediatric dentist, or pedodontist, looks after a child’s oral health, from birth to late adolescence. Having undergone specific training, the pedodontist will monitor the growth and development of your child’s teeth, both preventively and curatively. His or her role is to provide pedagogical care, reassuring and explaining in simple, age-appropriate terms, so as to build a relationship of trust.

What is a child's first appointment like?

At the first appointment, the paedodontist will introduce himself, ask the child questions and answer them, with the aim of creating a climate of trust. The child will then sit in the dentist’s chair to have his or her teeth examined, using a mirror and a small instrument to check the condition of the teeth and see if any treatment is needed. He will also stress the importance of good brushing technique. In all cases, regular check-ups are essential to ensure your child’s dental health – at least once a year, if not more, depending on the dentist’s advice. Don’t wait until your child is in pain before making an appointment with the dentist: a cavity in its early stages doesn’t hurt, is easier to treat, less unpleasant for the child and has a better prognosis.

How do you reassure a child going to the dentist?

Before the first consultation or any dental treatment, you can reassure your child by explaining in simple terms what’s going to happen. This will help them to avoid over-dramatizing their first contact with the dentist. Don’t go into too much detail, and choose your vocabulary carefully. Don’t use negative words or phrases like “stings” or “pain”. You can tell her that a lady with a mask will look into her mouth with a mirror to check that her teeth are clean and healthy. She uses small instruments and a lamp to get a good look. And above all… if you don’t like the dentist or if you’re an anxious person, don’t pass on your own fear or stress.