Children’s dentist Amsterdam

When should your child visit the dentist for the first time?

It is important that your son or daughter is accustomed to the dentist before undergoing treatment. We therefore recommend taking your child with you to your regular check-ups from the age of two. This will allow them to familiarise themselves with the situation and learn that the dentist is nothing to be afraid of.

Once they are comfortable, the dentist may ask them to sit in the chair. If possible, they will gently look in their mouth and count their teeth.

Regular check-ups at the paediatric dentist

After the introductory visit, regular check-ups will be recommended. During the first check-up, an X-ray is usually taken to help draw up a treatment plan. The paediatric dentist will also provide advice on brushing teeth, explain how food and drink can affect dental health, and recommend which foods your child should avoid. This is done in a playful and simple way so that your child understands.

Preventive treatments for children

Good oral hygiene is important in preventing cavities. As well as brushing properly and avoiding sugary drinks and foods, the paediatric dentist offers two preventive treatments: tooth sealing and fluoride treatment.

Sealing teeth

This involves sealing the teeth to prevent cavities at a young age. This involves the paediatric dentist placing a thin layer of synthetic resin or fluoride-containing cement on top of the molars. This stops bacteria and food debris from getting stuck in the deep grooves of the molars. The paediatric dentist will recommend sealing the teeth in the following situations:

The enamel is not strong enough

We often see this on newly erupted teeth. To prevent cavities, an extra layer of synthetic resin is applied to the enamel.

The molars have very deep grooves.

Permanent teeth can also have deep grooves and pits on their chewing surfaces. These grooves can act as breeding grounds for bacteria as food debris often gets stuck in them. Even thorough brushing is not enough to prevent this. The grooves are too deep to clean properly with a toothbrush.

This increases your child’s risk of developing cavities

If they do not brush properly or eat frequently throughout the day, the paediatric dentist may determine that they have an increased risk of cavities. To prevent tooth decay, the teeth can be sealed.

Fluoride treatment

Fluoride makes teeth less sensitive to bacteria. Therefore, to prevent your child from getting cavities, it is important to brush their teeth with fluoride toothpaste. However, too much fluoride can be harmful to teeth. The Ivoren Kruis (Dutch Dental Association) has therefore drawn up the following recommendations for children in different age categories:

• Children aged 0–1: when the first tooth appears, brush it once a day with special fluoride-containing toddler toothpaste.
• Children aged 2–4: brush their teeth twice a day with fluoride-containing toddler toothpaste.
• Children aged five years and over should brush their teeth twice a day with adult fluoride toothpaste.

In most cases, thorough brushing with fluoride toothpaste is sufficient to prevent tooth decay. However, if your child suffers from cavities despite maintaining good oral hygiene, the paediatric dentist may recommend a fluoride treatment. This treatment strengthens the teeth and makes them less susceptible to cavities. Easily make an appointment online or register your child as a new patient.