Pediatric Dentistry

About our pediatric dentistry

Tomie
Hashimoto

For parents who are thinking about or
concerned about their children's treatment

In my private life , I am the mother of one girl and two boys, including twins , and with my experience raising children, I not only treat cavities, but also give advice on teeth alignment and cavity prevention, nutritional guidance about snacks, parenting consultations, treatment plans that take into account your child's personality, and I also treat children who are afraid of dentists and could not receive treatment at other clinics .

Please feel free to contact us first

Pediatric Dentistry

Are children's teeth more susceptible to cavities than adult teeth ?

Children's teeth, even if they are the same permanent teeth as adults, have a weaker remineralization ability and thinner enamel and dentin, making them more susceptible to cavities. Also, when baby teeth develop cavities, they are less likely to feel pain and the cavities progress quickly, so they are often discovered at a fairly advanced stage.

We often see cases like this among children who visit our clinic. In order to prevent cavities and protect the health of your child's precious teeth, extra care is required.

For your child's healthy growth

Preventive measures that can be taken at home include daily brushing of teeth and having parents brush their teeth as a finishing touch. And just like with adult teeth, it is important to visit the dentist regularly to receive professional care in order to protect the oral health of children.
At our clinic, we recommend regular checkups about once every 3 to 4 months.

In addition, when treating minors (under 20 years old), we must explain the treatment to the guardian and obtain their consent. Please be sure to visit the clinic with your guardian. If this is difficult, please make sure to contact the guardian.

Our efforts and
requests to parents

To make your child feel safe when visiting the hospital

We are keenly aware that many people, both children and adults, have negative images of dental clinics, such as "painful" and "scary."
At the same time, both our dentists and staff share the desire that "children should feel comfortable visiting our clinic" and that "we want them to grow up healthy, ideally without cavities."

At our clinic, we provide treatment with the utmost consideration in order to eliminate any anxiety or fear that children may have regarding treatment. And what is essential here is the cooperation of the parents.
Our dentists and staff will do their utmost to ensure that children can receive treatment with peace of mind, so we appreciate your cooperation.

Our hospital's efforts to provide you with peace of mind
when receiving treatment

1. There are treatment rooms where parents can accompany their children.Some children are worried about being separated from their parents.
   Our clinic has private treatment rooms where parents can be present, and all treatment units are separated by partitions, so children can relax and receive treatment without worrying about other patients.
2. On your first visit, we will begin by getting you used to the environment.For children visiting us for the first time, we will not start treatment immediately unless it is an emergency. We will first have them practice sitting on the treatment table and touching the instruments to help them get used to the dental clinic and the atmosphere.
3. Aiming for less painful treatmentWe use ultra-fine needles, electric anesthesia machines, and topical anesthesia to provide treatment that is as painless as possible. We take various measures to minimize the pain of injections, such as returning the anesthetic liquid to room temperature.
4. We will also explain in detail the equipment used for treatment.Since children cannot actually see the inside of their mouths, it is easy for them to feel scared. Before treatment, we will carefully and clearly explain how to use the equipment we will use, while showing it to your child.
5. As a practice before treatment, the device is placed in your mouth.In order to deepen your understanding that "treatment is not something to be afraid of," after the explanation is finished, you will actually place the equipment in your mouth and experience how the treatment proceeds.
6. We provide treatment while talking to you.During the treatment, we will explain the current situation to ease your child's anxiety. If your child shows signs of reluctance, we will not force them and will continue the treatment at their own pace.
7. Prevent crying and increase successful dental experiencesOur goal is to prevent crying as much as possible while treating patients, and to have them go home with a smile at the end. By doing so, we can help them overcome their fear of going to the dentist, and support them in overcoming their childhood weaknesses and habits when they become adults, so that they can grow into people who can take care of their own dental health.
8. We use laughing gas inhalation sedation (laughing gas anesthesia)If you wish, we can also provide treatment using nitrous oxide anesthesia. Nitrous oxide anesthesia is a method that allows you to receive treatment in a relaxed state by inhaling an anesthetic gas that is harmless to the human body. Since the risk of side effects is very low, it can be used by everyone from small children to the elderly.

- A request to parents - To prevent
children from disliking the dentist

1. Don't use dental treatment as a threatWhen scolding your child, do not use dental treatment as a punishment, such as "I'll take you to the dentist if you don't listen" or "I'll take you to the dentist if you're a bad child" as this will make the dentist think of you as scary.
2. Refrain from lyingWhen your child comes to the clinic, please do not say things that are not true, such as "We won't be doing treatment today" or "It won't hurt at all." Once treatment actually starts, your child may feel that they have been deceived and may show strong resistance to coming to the clinic again. If you have said such things, please inform the staff before treatment.
3. Do not allow patients to suddenly come to the hospitalIf you bring your child to the dentist suddenly without telling them anything in advance, thinking that they might dislike going to the dentist, your child who is not mentally prepared will be overly tense and will develop a fear of the dentist. Tell your child that you are going to the dentist a few days before the visit so that they can prepare themselves mentally.
4. Parents, please relax firstChildren are sensitive to the atmosphere when adults are nervous or anxious. Parents should first try to relax their children and tell them, "There's nothing to be afraid of at the dentist."
5. Don't get angry if your child refuses treatmentSome children cry because they are scared of the atmosphere of the dental clinic or the sounds made during treatment. There may be times when you have to interrupt the treatment, but please do not get angry. Also, please refrain from forcibly taking your child home because you feel sorry for them.
6. Once the treatment is over, give lots of praise.After the treatment is over, please praise your child a lot, such as "You did a great job," "You're strong," or "You did a great job." This will motivate them to try harder at the next treatment. Also, please refrain from using negative words such as "That must have hurt."

Treatment menu
to protect your child from cavities

Fluoride application

This is preventive care in which high-concentration fluoride is applied to teeth. Fluoride has the effect of strengthening tooth structure such as enamel and dentin, and also acts on cavity-causing bacteria to suppress the production of "acid," which causes cavities. Regular application of fluoride can reduce the risk of cavities.

Sealants

The grooves of the back teeth are difficult to reach with a toothbrush, and are prone to plaque accumulation. Sealants are a preventive care for cavities that physically fills these grooves with dental plastic, making it difficult for dirt and bacteria to penetrate deep into the grooves. In addition, sealants contain fluoride, which helps the teeth absorb fluoride and strengthen them.

Sealants can chip or peel off over time, so it's important to check regularly to make sure they're still in place. Also, sealants don't necessarily prevent cavities, so be sure to brush your teeth thoroughly.

Brushing instruction (tooth brushing instruction)

Proper brushing of teeth every day is important to maintain oral health. Our dentists and dental hygienists will gently advise you on the correct way to brush your child's teeth according to their age and oral condition. We will also teach parents the key points of finishing brushing.