Dentistry for children is about far more than small fillings. The aim at Parkway Dental is to prevent problems, catch changes early while they are simple to manage, and — just as importantly — build a child’s confidence so that dental visits feel ordinary rather than frightening.
When to start
Current guidance is that a child should see a dentist by their first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth appearing. That first visit is largely about familiarisation, checking development, and giving parents practical advice on brushing, feeding and habits such as thumb sucking.
Starting early means a child’s first experience is a friendly, painless one, rather than an emergency visit when something hurts. That difference shapes attitudes for years.
Why baby teeth matter
Baby teeth are often dismissed because they fall out anyway. In fact they guide the permanent teeth into position, and losing one early can allow neighbouring teeth to drift into the space so the adult tooth erupts crowded or impacted. They are also essential for chewing, speech development and confidence — and decay in a baby tooth can cause infection that affects the developing adult tooth beneath.
Preventive care
Routine visits include examination, cleaning, and fluoride application to strengthen enamel. Fissure sealants — thin protective coatings placed in the deep grooves of newly erupted molars — are highly effective at preventing decay in exactly the places children find hardest to clean.
We also monitor jaw growth, bite development and the eruption sequence, so that orthodontic problems can be identified at the age when intervention is simplest.
Practical advice for parents
Brush twice daily with an age-appropriate fluoride toothpaste, and supervise or assist until around age seven or eight — younger children lack the dexterity to clean effectively. Limit sugary snacks and drinks between meals; frequency of sugar exposure matters more than total quantity. Avoid putting a child to bed with a bottle of anything other than water.
Speak positively about visits and avoid words like “hurt” or “needle” even reassuringly, since they plant the idea. Booking your own appointment alongside theirs often helps a nervous child settle.