The Kenya Dental Association and international pediatric dental organizations recommend scheduling your child's first dental visit by their first birthday or within six months after their first tooth appears—whichever comes first. This might seem early, but these initial visits are crucial for preventing problems before they start. Early visits allow us to check development, provide preventive guidance specific to your child, identify potential issues like tongue ties that might affect feeding or speech, and help your child become comfortable with dental visits from the beginning. Research shows children who start dental visits by age one have significantly fewer dental problems and lower treatment costs throughout childhood.

Some children may become tearful during dental visits, especially younger children or during first visits, and this is completely normal. Our team is specially trained to handle these situations with patience and understanding. We use positive distraction techniques like storytelling, letting children hold special toys, or watching ceiling-mounted TVs with child-friendly content. We never force treatment on an upset child but instead take time to build trust gradually. Many parents are surprised by how quickly their initially apprehensive children adapt to the dental environment with our gentle approach. Even if there are tears at first, most children leave with smiles and excitement about their next visit.

Yes, modern dental X-rays are very safe for children when used appropriately. At Karen Dental Clinic, we take several precautions to minimize radiation exposure: we use digital X-ray technology that reduces radiation by up to 90% compared to traditional film, carefully shield your child's body with protective aprons, and only take X-rays when clinically necessary based on your child's specific needs and risk factors—not on a fixed schedule. The radiation dose from a digital dental X-ray is less than what your child receives from natural environmental sources in a single day. The diagnostic benefits of appropriately prescribed X-rays far outweigh the minimal risks, allowing us to detect problems invisible to the naked eye before they become serious.

Oral hygiene should begin before teeth even appear. For infants, gently wipe gums with a clean, damp washcloth after feedings. Once the first tooth emerges, brush twice daily using an infant-sized toothbrush with a smear of fluoride toothpaste (size of a rice grain). For children 3-6 years old, use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Position your child comfortably—sitting in your lap with their head cradled in your arm often works well for young children. Use gentle circular motions, cleaning all surfaces of each tooth and along the gumline. Make it fun with songs or stories, and let them have a turn after you've cleaned thoroughly. We demonstrate age-appropriate techniques during visits and can address specific challenges your family is experiencing with home care.