Children's dentistry: prevention and treatment, from the first tooth
We look after children's teeth from the first tooth through adolescence, with an emphasis on prevention: short, regular visits in which the child gets used to the surgery before any treatment is needed.
- Emphasis on prevention
- Programmes by age
- Short, unhurried visits
- Orthodontist and surgeon in the same clinic
For children we offer three prevention programmes, by age: S.M.I.L.E. Bebe (0–3 years), S.M.I.L.E. Kids (3–12 years) and S.M.I.L.E. Young (teenagers). Each session combines a check-up, cleaning suited to the child's age and advice for parents, and the frequency of visits is set according to the child's risk of decay.
When more than prevention is needed, the same clinic has an orthodontist, to assess the bite, and an oral surgeon, for a short lingual frenum or for extractions that cannot be avoided.
The first dental visit: when and how
The first visit is recommended when the first tooth appears or, at the latest, around the age of one. No treatment is carried out at this age: the dentist looks at the teeth and gums, checks the tongue and lip frenum and shows you how to clean your baby's teeth.
Its purpose is also to build familiarity. A child who comes for check-ups from an early age walks into the surgery without fear, and a small cavity is spotted in good time, when treatment is simple.
Why baby teeth matter, even though they fall out anyway
Baby teeth hold the place for the permanent teeth and help with chewing and speech. Some of them stay in the mouth until the age of 10–12. A baby tooth lost too early lets the neighbouring teeth tilt into the empty space, and the permanent tooth no longer has room to come through properly.
The enamel of baby teeth is thinner, so decay reaches the nerve quickly. Untreated decay can lead to pain, an abscess and, sometimes, damage to the developing permanent tooth underneath.
Prevention: sealants, fluoride and habits
The chewing surface of permanent molars has deep grooves in which plaque collects and the toothbrush struggles to reach. Sealing fills these grooves with a thin material, without anaesthetic and without drilling. It is usually done soon after the permanent molars come through, around the age of 6 and then 12.
Fluoride treatment in the surgery strengthens the enamel, while at home habits matter more than products.
- Brushing twice a day, with fluoride toothpaste in the amount suited to the child's age
- A parent helps with brushing until the child can manage alone, usually around 7-8 years old
- No bottle of milk or juice at bedtime
- Sweets with meals, not as snacks through the day
- Water instead of juice between meals
When treatment is needed
Small cavities are treated simply, while those that have come close to the nerve need more extensive treatment. When a baby tooth can no longer be kept, it is removed, and the dentist will tell you whether something is needed to hold the space for the permanent tooth.
A tooth that has been knocked or broken in a fall should be seen the same day, even if it does not hurt. If a permanent tooth has come out completely, keep it in milk and come in straight away: the sooner it reaches the dentist, the greater the chance that it can be put back.
Early orthodontics and the tongue frenum
A first orthodontic assessment is useful around the age of 7, when the first permanent teeth have come through. In some children the growth of the jaws can be corrected early, with a removable appliance or a palatal expander, which may simplify later treatment.
A short lingual frenum can make breastfeeding harder in an infant and the pronunciation of certain sounds harder in a child. Not every frenum that looks short needs to be cut; the decision is made according to how much it limits function, and the procedure, when necessary, is done with a laser.
How to prepare your child for the dentist
- Talk about the visit simply and calmly, without promising that "it won't hurt" and without using it as a threat
- Book the visit for a time when your child is rested, not just before a nap
- Let the dentist explain, in terms the child understands, what is going to happen
- Come for regular check-ups, so that the dentist becomes a routine rather than an emergency
What it includes
- ✓First visit and regular check-ups
- ✓S.M.I.L.E. Bebe (0–3 years), Kids (3–12 years), Young (teenagers)
- ✓Sealing the grooves on the molars
- ✓Fluoride treatment
- ✓Extraction of baby teeth, when they cannot be kept
- ✓Early orthodontic assessment
- ✓Laser frenectomy
Children's dentistry prices
Indicative fees for children's dentistry at Smile by Ada, Bucharest. The final price is confirmed at your consultation and depends on the complexity of your case.
- 250 lei≈ €45
Baby tooth extraction
- 500 lei≈ €95
S.M.I.L.E. Baby (0–3 years)
- 500 lei≈ €95
S.M.I.L.E. Kids (3–12 years)
- 500 lei≈ €95
S.M.I.L.E. Young (teenagers)
- 150 lei≈ €30
Fissure sealing (per tooth)
Fees are charged in Romanian lei (RON). Euro amounts are approximate, at today's National Bank of Romania rate.
See all dental prices →The Smile by Ada team
Prevention and children's dentistry
For children, the first visit should not be one that hurts. We begin with short check-ups, so that the dentist becomes a familiar place rather than one the child is afraid of.
Frequently asked questions
At what age should I first take my child to the dentist?
When the first tooth appears or, at the latest, around the age of one. The first visit is a short check-up, without treatment, and you also receive advice on care.
Do baby teeth need treatment if they fall out anyway?
Yes. Baby teeth hold the place for the permanent ones, and untreated decay can lead to pain, an abscess and the tooth being lost too early, which affects how the permanent teeth come through.
What is sealing and at what age is it done?
Sealing covers the grooves on the molars with a thin material, so that plaque does not collect in them. It is done without anaesthetic, usually after the permanent molars have come through, around the age of 6 and 12.
How often should my child come for a check-up?
Usually every 6 months. For children at higher risk of decay, the dentist may recommend more frequent check-ups.
My child has knocked a tooth. What should I do?
Come to the clinic the same day, even if it does not hurt. If a permanent tooth has come out completely, hold it by the crown, not the root, put it in milk and come straight away.
My child is afraid of the dentist. What can we do?
We begin with short visits, without treatment, in which the child gets used to the surgery and the dentist. At home it helps to talk about the dentist calmly, without threats and without promises you cannot keep.