Kids Dentistry
About Royce Kids
At Royce Kids, we strive to make every dental visit a pleasant experience for our patients, while ensuring that a thorough examination and consultation is done.
A Paediatric dentist is focused on providing dental care to children, from birth onwards.
Paediatric dentists spend extra years specialising in the treatment of a child’s jaws and teeth and on managing a child’s behaviour during dental visits. They work very closely with parents, to guide children’s dental growth and development, treat dental issues, and to help them avoid future dental problems.
When should I bring my kid to their first dental checkup?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that all children should have their first dental visit at no later than one year of age.
We encourage parents to bring their child for their first dental checkup before any major dental treatment is needed. This will eliminate any negative association when visiting the dentist.
During the check, our dentist will do a full examination of your child’s dental development, soft tissue development (tongue ties and lip ties) and oral hygiene. During the visit, our dentist will provide advice to prevent decay and demonstrate the proper tooth brushing technique.
Our dental team is professionally trained to assist parents and their children during the first dental checkup, in ensuring a smooth and comfortable experience for both parent and child.
Why do I need to bring my children to visit the dentist from a young age?
Early visits to the dentist are crucial for establishing a positive relationship with dental care and reducing dental anxiety from an early age. Children under six are often prone to poor oral hygiene and teeth decay due to their limited familiarity with proper oral care practices. They may struggle with holding their toothbrush correctly or employing improper brushing techniques, leading to inadequate cleaning. Consequently, harmful bacteria can quickly accumulate around their teeth, resulting in tooth decay.
Early and regular visits to the dentist play a pivotal role in monitoring oral health, addressing concerns proactively, and providing preventive measures. The significance lies in maintaining the health of your child’s baby teeth, which serve as the foundation for the growth of healthy permanent adult teeth. Baby teeth need to remain intact until your child’s teenage years. Neglecting their care may lead to premature loss, which could potentially result in teeth misalignment and affect facial development.
How often should I bring my child to visit the dentist?
It’s recommended to bring your child for a dental visit every six months. Regular visits help in monitoring oral health and detecting any issues in their early stages. However, your dentist may suggest a different frequency based on your child’s specific needs.
The timeline of your child’s oral health development may look something like this, but it differs for every child:
- Toddlers – Primary teeth emerge, progressing from front to back of the mouth.
- Pre-schoolers – The eruption of permanent teeth applies pressure on primary teeth roots, leading to gradual root dissolution and loosening. This results in primary teeth naturally giving way to permanent teeth through a process known as exfoliation.
- School-age children – Exfoliation continues from ages 6 to 12 as permanent teeth replace primary teeth. By ages 12-13, only permanent teeth remain.
Therefore, regular dental visits and understanding your child’s oral development stages are vital for ensuring lifelong healthy smiles.
Receive guidance and advice by speaking to our dentists today.
Our Services
At Royce Kids, we provide a wide range of dental services for your children.
- First Dental Assessment (from newborn onwards)
- Assessment and treatment (release) of lip and tongue ties
- Treatment of Decayed Teeth (including fillings, extractions, pulp treatment and root canal treatment)
- Treatment of Dental Anomalies
- Treatment of Dental Infections
- Management of Dental Injuries
- Oral Hygiene Education
- Decay Prevention including Polishing, Fissure Sealants and Fluoride Treatment
- Orthodontic Assessment including Assessment of Jaw Growth and Development
- Early Interceptive Orthodontics (including space maintainers, removable orthodontic appliances, and fixed orthodontic appliances)
- Behaviour Management including Inhalation Sedation (laughing gas) and General Anaesthesia
- Dentistry for Special Needs Children
Preparing Your Children for the Dentist
Getting your children ready for their dental visit is essential to ensure a positive experience. You can start by explaining the role of a dentist in a friendly and age-appropriate manner. Make use of graphic storybooks to help depict what they can expect during their dental appointment. It is also advisable to use positive language and avoid mentioning any discomfort to prevent your child from associating negativity with dentist visits. Do encourage your child to ask questions and express their feelings along the way.
Our dental professionals are skilled and experienced in interacting with kids and establishing a comfortable rapport with them before their treatment in a new environment. Our clinic is also designed to be child-friendly, providing a reassuring atmosphere for both you and your child.
What can I do for my child after dental treatment?
After dental treatment, we will work with parents to ensure your child follows any post-treatment instructions provided. This includes maintaining good oral hygiene practices and using proper brushing and flossing techniques to reduce the risk of your child developing tooth decay.
Parents can also monitor their child’s comfort and promptly address any concerns. Offering soft or cool foods during the first few hours can help alleviate discomfort, if any. Giving tons of positive praise to your child for their cooperation will contribute to a more positive experience for them as well.
Our Paediatric Centre
We have a dedicated children’s waiting area in the clinic to keep them occupied while waiting for their appointment. This allows both parents and children to be at ease before seeing the dentist. The treatment room is decked out with colourful decals and ceiling TV monitors that will keep your children happy and comfortable throughout their first dental visit.
About our Dentist
Dr Jessica Khong – Dr Jessica Khong currently practises at our clinic at Katong i12 Mall.
Dr Jessica Khong
BDS (Singapore), MDS (Paediatric Dentistry)
Dr Khong loves children and spends most of her time taking care of kids’ teeth and oral conditions. She previously worked at public institutions such as National Dental Centre Singapore and Health Promotion Board. Though she has been treating children for many years, nothing prepares her better for her role as a kids dentist than being a mother of 2 herself.
Having a toddler and baby, she no longer has time for hobbies, though she is trying to pick up tennis and yoga again.
Subsidies
All our clinics are approved healthcare institutions under the Baby Bonus Scheme. You would be able to use the funds from the Child Development Account (CDA) for your child’s dental treatments. Please speak to our clinic staff to find out more.
FAQ
At Royce Dental, our clinics are designed with adorable animal decals that create a welcoming and comfortable environment for children. The decorative decals continue into our treatment rooms for children, where a mounted television playing their favourite cartoons is available to keep them engaged during their dental procedures.
Our clinic is also well-prepared with balloons, storybooks, soft toys, and stickers to keep your child entertained while they wait, during their treatment, and after their appointment.
During the checkup, our dentist will conduct a thorough examination of your child’s dental development and recommend any necessary treatments based on their dental condition. If everything looks good, a simple dental cleaning will be done for your child before the dental visit is completed.
Regularly observing your child’s oral health is key to monitoring their dental growth. Check for straight teeth without crowding or misalignment. Establish good oral hygiene habits early, including proper brushing and flossing techniques. If you notice signs of tooth decay, such as pain, sensitivity, or discoloured spots on teeth surfaces, schedule an appointment with your dentist promptly.
Maintaining a balanced diet and minimising sugary snacks and drinks is also essential. Don’t forget regular dental checkups with your kids dentist every six months as well, to detect issues early if any, and provide guidance to foster healthy teeth and gums.
Small Smiles, Big Facts
The difference between a kids dentist and a general dentist lies in their specialisation. Kids dentists undergo extensive training beyond basic dental degrees to provide the best possible oral health care for infants and children.
Children and adults have different dental needs. Children are still in the developmental stages of oral growth and require specific guidance for behaviour, growth, development, and preventive measures to prevent potential future dental issues.
Moreover, children often react differently from adults. They are more prone to experiencing fear and anxiety related to the dental environment, sounds of equipment, or negative associations from parental experiences. Opting for a kids dentist ensures a more reassuring experience for your child, as these professionals possess the skills and experience to manage children’s behaviour and cultivate a positive environment.
Have you noticed your baby showing signs of discomfort lately? This could be an indication that teething has begun.
Some babies might appear irritable throughout the day, while others could refuse to eat or experience excessive drooling, which may lead to rashes around their mouth. While some babies display all the classic signs of teething, others may not show any symptoms at all.
Contrary to a common misconception, teething itself usually doesn’t cause fever or diarrhoea. These symptoms often arise from babies encountering bacteria or viruses through objects they put in their mouths – which can also be a sign of teething!
Other signs of teething may also include biting, increased crying, and teething rashes, in addition to irritability, drooling, and feeding refusal.
Typically, a baby’s lower teeth are the first to emerge, and teething generally starts around 6 months of age.
It’s a good idea to consider helping your child transition away from thumb-sucking and pacifier use habits, especially if they persist as your child gets older. Prolonged thumb sucking or pacifier use has the potential to affect the alignment of your child’s teeth and the development of their jaws.
However, most children naturally outgrow these habits as they mature. Yet, if you notice that these habits continue beyond the age of three, it’s advisable to consult your kids’ dentist. They can offer personalised guidance based on your child’s specific situation, ensuring their oral health development stays on the right track.
If your child’s permanent tooth is knocked out, remain calm and handle the tooth by the crown, avoiding touching the root.
Rinse the tooth but refrain from scrubbing it or using soap.
Attempt to reinsert the tooth into the socket if possible, ensuring it’s facing the correct way. Have your child gently bite on a gauze or cloth to hold it in place.
If reinsertion isn’t feasible, place the tooth in a cup of milk to keep it moist and cold.
Seek immediate dental care, as the best chance of saving the tooth is within the first hour.
If your child’s tooth is broken or chipped:
Rinse their mouth with warm water to clean the area. Preserve any tooth fragments.
If there’s bleeding, apply gentle pressure with clean gauze or a cloth. Reduce swelling with a cold compress.
Contact your dentist as soon as possible for further guidance and treatment.
Book your appointment
Our simple to use, online appointment process makes it easy for you to book for any one of our services and doctors.
