Taking your child to the dentist? Start on time!
From the age of two, getting children used to visiting the dentist is essential. You can do this by taking your children to your own appointments as early as possible. This also helps prevent any fear that children might have of the dentist. If you take your children with you on time and regularly, the dentist can closely monitor their dental development. In addition, our dental hygienists or prevention assistants can easily teach children how to keep their teeth clean and healthy in the best way possible. The sooner children become adept at this, the more they will benefit from it in the long run!
It’s important to note that your health insurer’s basic package fully covers standard dental treatments for children up to the age of 18. This means you don’t have to worry about any financial contributions. However, it’s worth mentioning that from 2023, some insurers have set a price ceiling.
During their visit, children will receive a dental cleaning from our dental hygienists and easy-to-follow brushing instructions, tips, and advice. As a bonus, a welcome gift is waiting for each child, making their dental visit a positive and rewarding experience!
The milk teeth
Although baby teeth will eventually disappear, teaching young children proper oral and dental care is still important. This is because baby teeth play an important role in the development of the permanent teeth that will replace them. Proper care keeps baby teeth in good condition to prevent cavities, gum disease, and other problems.
Dental changes in children 6 years and older
From the age of six, your child will notice that his or her new, permanent molars are emerging. These molars are very porous at first. The enamel on the new teeth does not yet provide the most optimal protection. This makes these teeth extremely vulnerable to acid attacks and bacteria, which can cause unpleasant complaints. For example, the risk of cavities, resulting in tooth decay, is quite high with new teeth. You can reduce this risk by encouraging good oral hygiene in your child and taking your child to the dentist twice a year for check-ups.
A visit to the prevention assistant
The prevention assistant is present on Saturdays to support the dentist. The tasks of the prevention assistant focus on removing tartar, polishing the teeth, applying fluoride and checking the condition of the gums. In addition, our prevention assistant can clearly explain what you and your child can do to ensure that your child’s teeth remain healthy and clean. The brushing instructions for your child are a joy to listen to! As soon as the prevention assistant is ready, your child can go straight to the dentist for the standard check-up. That saves an extra visit to the practice!
Prevent tooth erosion
What is dental erosion? You can think of dental erosion as a form of wear and tear of the tooth enamel. This wear and tear is often caused by consuming juices, fruit, sweets and sugary drinks. Although such snacks and drinks will not always taste sour, the acid they contain does damage your tooth enamel. If you have eaten or drunk something, it is important to wait at least half an hour before brushing your teeth. If you don’t do this, you won’t give your saliva enough time to neutralize the acids in these foods. The teeth are then unable to withstand the acid attack from the juice or sweet that you or your child enjoyed just before, with all the consequences that entails.
The layer of tooth enamel becomes less thick due to the acid in foods. This will eventually make your teeth appear yellower. This is because the dentin underneath the tooth enamel is yellow in color. Not only does the tooth enamel become thinner, it can also partially break down, after which points can form in the cusps of the molars.
In the category ‘bad for your teeth’, dental erosion, together with cavities, is at the top. In fact, while we can still fill cavities, dental erosion is an irreversible problem. Unfortunately, the damaged enamel cannot be repaired or supplemented. That is why it is important not to consume foods more than 7 times a day. This limits the times when tooth enamel can be damaged by an acid attack. Dental erosion occurs gradually, so you will not notice it quickly. If dental erosion is noticeable, your teeth have usually already suffered a lot of damage. Fortunately, your dentist knows how to recognize dental erosion well and in a timely manner. You will then receive advice on how best to deal with this.
Prevent cavities
Cavities, also called caries, are number 1 on the list of known dental problems. Unfortunately, cavities are increasingly common in young children. This is largely due to the increase in the amount of sugar in our diets. Sugars are converted into acid in the mouth, followed by an acid attack on the tooth enamel. The acid attacks the tooth enamel that surrounds the teeth and molars. This makes the tooth enamel extra vulnerable, resulting in not only dental erosion, but also cavities. In addition to limiting the number of eating moments in a day, brushing your teeth is a necessary action that reduces the risk of such complaints. Removing plaque with brushing makes it harder for the bacteria that live between the teeth and along the gum line to convert sugars into harmful acids.
Teeth and molars that have recently emerged have not yet hardened sufficiently and are therefore very porous and vulnerable. If cavities are discovered and filled too late, inflammation can occur in the nerve of a molar or tooth. Anyone who visits the dental practice every six months knows that fortunately the dentist can identify and treat cavities (even in the early stages) in time.