One age group that is particularly important to us is
children

 

 

 

 

If you treat children in an age-appropriate manner and get them used to going to the dentist early enough, dental phobia cannot develop in the first place. We actively involve your child in the treatment. With us, every patient has control over what is happening at all times. This means that no one is subject to pressure or forced to do something against their will.

You should schedule your child’s first check-up to be about six months after their first tooth appears. We even recommend taking your child with you to your check-ups. It is during the examinations that an initial bond is established. The trust that develops is particularly important when it comes to preventing a patient from discontinuing treatment later on in life. We do not like to do extensive dental work during the very first appointment, unless expressly desired by the child. We try to make the visit to the dentist as pleasant as possible and to make this encounter a positive one. All instruments and equipment are explained in detail and the dentist gets down to the child’ eye level to discuss subsequent treatments.

Treatment options for children are very limited, so regular prophylaxis and preventive check-ups are mandatory. The intervals of the visits are determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on the child’s degree of cooperation and their oral hygiene habits. Our toothbrushing training teaches techniques to make brushing teeth easier and to establish a daily routine. We will also explain how to recognise the onset of caries during follow-up visits and how to brush your child's teeth in a manner that is pain-free. Introduce the daily use of dental floss and interdental brushes from an early age and be the best role model for good oral hygiene yourself. It is very important that parents cooperate by brushing and checking their child’s teeth.

For adults, we normally perform regular biennial X-ray examinations. This is useful to detect a change in the teeth early on and also to plan for prompt treatment. We do not want to deprive children of this opportunity for check-ups and early treatment. Small dental X-rays targeting specific areas of the mouth are carried out if there is suspicion of caries, in cases of very poor oral hygiene or existing, non-removable discolourations and initial caries. We do not perform full-mouth X-rays during routine check-ups due to the higher radiation exposure. Small discolourations can quickly develop into larger caries within a few weeks, as the caries bacteria spread much faster on the soft milk teeth. This leads to severe pain that a child has difficulty describing. Children do not recognise this new pain when it first occurs and do not know where it comes from. Parents might notice a change in the child's behaviour. Often, due to a lack of awareness, the child is examined to determine the cause of the behaviour, and the actual problem in the mouth is overlooked. By the time swelling becomes visible in the oral cavity, it is already too late. The tooth needs root canal treatment or has to be extracted. This carries a high risk of trauma later on. In addition, we are faced with a decision that we have to make with the parents.

The first option is root canal treatment for children (pulpotomy). The chances of success are not so good and trepanated teeth are a constant strain on the child's immune system. However, the natural milk tooth remains a placeholder for the permanent teeth and a smooth change of teeth can take place. The second option is to extract the tooth (tooth extraction). The treated child is usually immediately free of symptoms and a cyst can be removed directly. There is no inflammatory tissue in the body. The problem, however, is that teeth constantly move and shift. A missing baby tooth can cause a space problem for the permanent teeth later on, making a space maintainer necessary. If this is dispensed with, orthodontic treatment may be appropriate once the teeth have completely changed.

So please remember...regular check-ups are better than after-care!

When your child comes to see us, we would like to request the following in advance. Please do not try to overprepare your child for their appointment. When parents exhibit unusual behaviour, the child can end up feeling agitated. Promises and gifts also put pressure on your child to perform rather than motivate them. Both sides end up having expectations, which are associated with possible negative feelings. Avoid negative phrases/terms, such as: "This won't hurt at all." This immediately gives rise to the question: "What is going hurt/why will it hurt?” This often results in feelings of fear or insecurity. Please be assured that we will always explain every step of the treatment and try to find child-friendly wording and paraphrasing. Please also relax with us during the children's treatment and enjoy a coffee or water while you watch or read something.

The instruments that look particularly "menacing" will be placed behind the child's head and not be shown. We provide sufficient distraction and needed breaks at all times. If you notice that your child seems to be particularly anxious, come to the practice a little earlier. There is something for everyone in the play area to alleviate stress before the treatment.

After each positive treatment, your child can choose a small gift from our treasure chest.

Information for pregnant women: Caries bacteria are not present in the oral cavity from birth. They are only transmitted later through contact with foreign saliva. This means that if you can avoid dummies, spoons, etc. coming into contact with foreign saliva, you can prevent the development of caries at an early stage. At least you can delay it for a longer time.

Information for new parents: We have noticed that many parents give their children water with fruit, fruit juices or soft drinks, and that many children will no longer drink regular still water or tap water. Please try to offer such drinks only with meals. Teeth need regeneration phases between meals so that the enamel can recover after acid exposure (remineralisation). If drinks containing sugar with fruit acid/acid continue to be offered to children, their risk for caries increases enormously.

When should the soother/pacifier be taken away? It is generally recommended that you wean your child off the soother/pacifier between their second and third year of life. This will prevent your child's teeth from becoming misaligned later on, such as an open bite. You know best how to wean your child off the dummy because only you know your child well enough. A lot of advice and tips can be found online. It has been shown that most children cope better with a slow weaning. So gradually reduce use or maybe even set a date for your child to prepare for. We have also heard stories of the "dummy fairy" or of "poor children" who need a dummy. The main thing is that the method you choose is adapted to your parenting style and your child.

We look forward to your visit with us.