Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and supervise brushing in children under six years. Your child and the dentist Children can get used to regular trips to the dentist by accompanying you on your check-up visits to begin with. Your dentist may encourage them to sit in the special chair and hold a mirror to watch how he or she looks at their teeth. Similarly, seeing you have your teeth scaled and polished will give them an introduction to how some of the equipment works, though it s probably best to avoid having your children accompany you when you need lengthy treatment, at least if they are very young. By presenting the dentist as a friendly, unthreatening person, you will do much to help your children accept their own dental visits later.
Children can benefit from having their teeth polished.
The hygienist can also apply fluoride gels and solutions to help prevent decay. The permanent back teeth may also benefit from having the fissures sealed. This is done by applying a special plastic coating to the biting surface of the teeth soon after they erupt into the mouth. Sealants make the tooth surface smoother and easier to clean, and stop decay starting in the difficult to clean areas. If your child knocks out a tooth If you child knocks out a permanent tooth, it may be possible for the dentist to re-implant it.