Children’s Exam and Cleaning

Here at Smile Hub Dental Clinic in Bayside Medical Centre, we are a child friendly clinic who strive to protect children’s teeth from the very start. Children will start to develop their baby teeth at around 6 months old. We recommend booking your child in for their first dental appointment at the age of 2 or 3. Usually this visit is just to get them used to the coming to the dentist and what exactly is done while in the chair. Children should then come for their regular check up every 6 months to prevent the chances of needing any treatment such as a filling. Your best dentist for children’s exam and cleaning in Dublin.

A regular children’s check-up appointment will involve a full examination and a scale and polish cleaning if needed. One of our friendly and caring dentists will examine the child’s mouth and teeth to asses oral hygiene and find any changes such as decay or tooth loss etc. Before starting the exam, the dentist will explain all of the instruments we use and show them to the child so that they feel comfortable in the chair. If our dentist feels it is necessary, they may ty to take intraoral x-rays to rule out any other problems that cannot be seen from the examination. Our dentist will then go through the best ways to keep good oral hygiene. Once the examination is complete and the child is okay to continue our dentist will do a scale and polish cleaning. A handscaler or or ultrasonic scaler will be used to remove calculus and staining in the teeth. The dentist will then use a flavoured paste and polish the teeth with a soft brush to make them smooth and shiny. It is important that this is done every six months to prevent any dental problems and to reduce the chances of the child developing a fear of the dentist.

Child’s First Dental Visit

At Smile Hub Dental Clinic in Bayside Medical Centre, Sutton we believe that early attention maximises prevention and minimises the need for dental interventions.

At Smile Hub Dental Clinic, we make every child’s first visit to the dentist an enjoyable and positive one. It is best if parents refrain from using any words around your child which may cause unnecessary fear such as needle, drill or pain. At Smile Hub Dental Clinic our dental team use pleasant words that convey the same message but are not frightening to our paediatric patients.

If your child is happy to jump on the dental chair we can “count” their teeth but if not, we can look at your child’s teeth whilst they sit on their parent’s knee on a normal chair. At the first visit we will educate you and your child with regards to optimum fluoride use, brushing and diet. We will take x-rays and photographs if necessary, for baseline information to formulate your child’s individualised dental care plan.

During your child’s first visit we will assess their coping abilities and determine how best to approach treatment to ensure that your child manages well at the dentist. All our dentists in Smile Hub Dental Clinic have a caring and gentle approach with children to help your child cope with treatment if needed. Many children are nervous and at Smile Hub Dental Clinic we provide ‘Happy Air’ Inhalation sedation for any children who require a little help with getting their dental needs attended to. All these options will be discussed in detail with you before any treatment plan is decided upon.

At the end of the initial consultation, we aim to provide an individualised treatment plan for your child which will include the number of required visits and associated costs. If you attend Smile Hub Dental Clinic with your child with a dental emergency then your dentist will address the dental problem with immediate treatment at the initial consultation appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will my baby start getting their teeth?

Teething varies amongst babies but in general lower front teeth appear between the age of 6-8 months.

What is early childhood caries or decay?

Baby bottle decay is caused by frequent exposures by infants to liquids that contain sugar such as milk(including breast milk), formula, fruit juice or other sweetened drinks. Rapid tooth decay can occur if a baby is put to bed or for a nap with a bottle of anything other than water. Sweetened drinks swish around children’s teeth and bacteria can produce acid attacks on your child’s enamel. If a bottle is given as a comforter at night time it should only include water. If your child cannot fall asleep without their bottle then gradually dilute their drinks over a period of 2-3 weeks.

It is important to wipe the baby’s gums and teeth with a damp washcloth or gauze pad to remove plaque after feeding. The best way to do this is to sit down and place your child’s head in your lap so that you can see your child’s mouth easily.

Your Child's First Dental Visit

At Smile Hub Dental Clinic, Bayside Medical Centre, Bayside Shopping Centre, Sutton, Dublin 13 we recommend that you bring your child for a dental check up every 6 months as soon as they have their first tooth.

At Smile Hub Dental Clinic we ensure that your child has a pleasant and happy first visit to the dentist.

At your child’s first visit we instruct parents on how to clean their child’s teeth. We advise on the best use of fluoride products and how to plan healthy eating habits to minimise your child’s exposure to sugar. Your dentist in Smile Hub Dental Clinic will also be able to give you tailored advice in relation to feeding practices which can cause tooth decay in your child’s baby teeth. Your dentist will also be able to give you advice in relation to soother and digit sucking habits to avoid future dental problems. If any early dental disease is detected during your child’s dental exam then minimal interventions can be planned to avoid the progression of dental disease.

At Smile Hub Dental Clinic we perform a comprehensive dental examination for all our paediatric patients. If necessary we will advise x-rays and then discuss any findings. All treatment options are always discussed in detail with parents including any alternatives and all associated costs provided before any required treatment begins.

If your child requires dental treatment our dentists use age-appropriate language to provide their dental treatment and make your child’s treatment journey as pleasant as possible. At Smile Hub Dental Clinic we provide inhalation sedation for all nervous children. This is a safe mix of nitrous oxide and oxygen gas which relaxes your child and allows them to communicate with us throughout treatment. Inhalation sedation, if required also reduces any discomfort which your child may experience during their dental treatment.

How often should a child have a dental check up?

It is recommended that children come for dental check-ups every six months. This is to get them used to coming to the dentist and having exams so they do not develop any fear of the dentist. It is also to ensure that there are no early signs of cavities and if there is there can be intervention to stop them. If your child is more at risk of dental problems, they might need to come more regularly to monitor their oral health.

How often are radiographs recommended to be taken in a child with a high risk of decay?

X-rays are taken to spot any cavities or other dental problems in children’s teeth. Children are more likely to develop cavities or tooth decay because their teeth are not as strong as adults. This is why it is recommended to take x rays every two years unless there is a specific problem. If a child is has a higher risk of developing cavities they may get x rays more frequently.