Children's dental care in Sector 93, Gurgaon

By the first birthday, or when the first teeth appear, whichever comes first. The first visit is mostly a short check and a chance to ask about brushing, teething, feeding and fluoride. Early visits also help your child get used to the clinic before any treatment is needed.

Usually, yes. Some milk back teeth stay until age 10 to 12. An untreated cavity can cause pain, swelling and infection, and losing a milk tooth early can let nearby teeth drift into its space and cause crowding later. Small cavities can often be treated with a simple filling, and very early decay, seen as chalky white spots, can sometimes be repaired with fluoride and better brushing. Deeper cavities may need nerve treatment of the milk tooth or, sometimes, removal.

Thumb sucking is normal in young children, and most stop on their own between ages 2 and 4. If it continues beyond about age 3 or 4, and especially once the adult front teeth come in, it can push the front teeth forward or stop them from meeting properly. Scolding rarely helps. Praise for thumb-free days, gentle reminders and keeping hands busy tend to work better, and Dr. Arti can talk to your child about it too.

Fluoride varnish is recommended for most young children. It is quickly painted on the teeth and helps strengthen enamel and prevent cavities. It is usually applied about twice a year, and more often for children at higher risk of cavities. Sealants are thin coatings on the deep grooves of the back teeth, usually placed soon after the adult molars come in, around ages 6 to 7 and again around 11 to 14. Dr. Arti checks your child's teeth and advises which of these suits them.

Keep the talk simple and positive before the visit, and avoid words like injection or pain. Please do not use the dentist as a threat to make a child behave. Choose a time when your child is rested, not hungry or sleepy. Short, calm visits help nervous children build trust.

Stay calm and find the tooth if you can. If it is a milk tooth, do not try to put it back, as this can damage the adult tooth growing underneath. If it is an adult tooth, hold it by the white crown, not the root. If it is dirty, rinse it briefly in milk or under cold running water for no more than 10 seconds. Try to put it back in the socket and have your child bite gently on a clean cloth. If it will not go back in easily, or you are not sure whether it is a milk or adult tooth, keep it in a small cup of milk and come to the clinic straight away. If the clinic is closed, go to the nearest hospital emergency department. Even if you cannot find the tooth, see a dentist as soon as possible.