Prevention and desensitisation

Why prevention matters for baby teeth

Prevention means taking measures to avoid dental disease. In my view, protecting health is more efficient and effective than restoring it. Teaching children to care carefully for their baby teeth and making brushing, flossing and tongue care a normal part of daily hygiene establishes good habits for permanent teeth. A child cannot understand being allowed to neglect baby teeth but then having to care meticulously for permanent teeth. We lay the foundations for “toothbrushing pros” through practice, instruction and checking, including parents brushing again afterwards, while children still have baby teeth.

Preventive care also indicates how a child will cooperate during necessary treatment. A preventive appointment before treatment is therefore essential. An experienced clinician can use the cooperation shown to identify an individual treatment approach.

A preventive appointment (from age three)

• Showing plaque with “detective dye” (a disclosing solution)
• Discussing the stained areas with parents and the child, depending on age
• Assessing fine motor skills as the child brushes their own teeth
• Reviewing the result, teaching the correct brushing technique and cleaning remaining problem areas
• Polishing by the preventive-care assistant, including demonstrations of aids such as dental floss
• Applying fluoride at the end (“elephant teeth”)

Desensitisation

By working away from the mouth, for example with hand puppets, we introduce children gradually to dental care. This playful familiarisation builds trust and positive impressions. The many new sounds, smells, instruments and procedures can overwhelm some children. Small steps help them become familiar with these experiences and reduce their worries. They often cooperate better during later treatment because they already know many of the instruments, sounds and people.