From first baby teeth to teenage braces — everything Makati parents need to know about keeping their children's teeth healthy.
When to Start Your Child's Dental Journey
The first dental visit should happen within 6 months of the first tooth appearing or by the child's first birthday — whichever comes first. Early visits establish a dental home and allow the pediatric dentist to monitor development.
Makati pediatric dentists use child-friendly approaches to make visits positive. Tell-show-do techniques, child-appropriate language, and reward systems help children feel comfortable. Avoiding traumatic early experiences prevents dental anxiety later in life.
Baby teeth matter. They guide permanent teeth into position, help with speech development, and enable proper chewing. Cavities in baby teeth can spread to permanent teeth and cause pain and infection if untreated.
Common Pediatric Treatments in Makati
Dental sealants are thin protective coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of molars. They prevent food and bacteria from settling in grooves where brushing cannot reach. Sealants cost PHP 500–1,500 per tooth in Makati and last 5–10 years.
Fluoride treatments strengthen developing enamel and reverse early cavities. Professional fluoride applications every 6 months reduce childhood tooth decay by 30–40%. This preventive investment saves significant treatment costs later.
Space maintainers preserve the gap when baby teeth are lost prematurely. Without them, adjacent teeth drift into the space, blocking the permanent tooth from erupting properly. Early orthodontic evaluations at age 7 identify developmental issues before they become complex.
Helping Children Develop Healthy Habits
Supervise brushing until age 6–7 to ensure thorough cleaning. Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste for children over 3. Make brushing a family activity to model good habits.
Limit sugary snacks and drinks. Frequency of sugar exposure matters more than total amount. Constant sipping of juice or milk between meals bathes teeth in sugar, accelerating decay.
Sports mouthguards protect against dental trauma. Custom-fitted mouthguards from Makati dental clinics provide better protection and comfort than over-the-counter versions, encouraging consistent use during sports activities.
Key Takeaways
- First dental visit by age 1 to establish healthy habits early
- Dental sealants and fluoride reduce childhood cavities by 30-40%
- Baby teeth guide permanent teeth — cavities in baby teeth affect adult teeth
- Space maintainers prevent orthodontic problems from early tooth loss
- Custom sports mouthguards from Makati clinics protect active children