Start Healthy Habits Early!

DR JESSICA KHONG of Royce Dental Surgery’s new Royce Orthodontic & Paediatric Dental Centre in i12 Katong shares what you can do to help your kids develop good dental habits right from the start.

See a dentist early

Bring your child for their first dental visit no later than the age of one, or within six months of the first tooth erupting – whichever is earlier. At your child’s first visit, the dentist will: • do a quick check of your child’s dental

and soft tissue development; and • find out more about your child’s dental and diet habits, and give tailored advice to set your child on the right path to a set of good teeth.

Seeing a dentist early on before any major dental treatment is needed can also help eliminate any negative connotations with the dentist. Your child can see that dental visits can be fun, relaxed and stress-free – and full of presents and rewards! This will help build your children’s confidence in the clinic and make them feel comfortable returning time and again.

Make brushing a fun routine

The recommended brushing time for both adults and kids is two minutes, twice a day. To help make that two minutes more fun, play your child’s favourite music, change up toothpaste flavours, create a rewards chart – whatever it takes! You can even read books and watch videos about brushing teeth to get your child excited.

And, since children mimic what you do, brushing together is a great way to show them how important it is to have a consistent dental routine.

Royce Orthodontic & Paediatric Dental Centre is located in i12 Katong, #03-10/11. For more information, call 6980 7187 or visit roycedental.com.sg.