Children's dentistry

Children's dentistry at Laurus Dent plus: the first visit around the first birthday is a get-to-know visit without treatment, then every six months. Children's hygiene 40–55 EUR, filling of a baby tooth 50–60 EUR, pulpotomy 80–100 EUR, extraction of a baby tooth 40 EUR. Local anaesthesia, breaks and praise. Treatment in English. Book: +371 22428688.

When a child should first see the dentist

The first visit is when the first milk teeth are in, around the first birthday, and certainly before the age of three. It is a get-to-know visit: the child sits in the chair, the dentist counts the teeth and shows the mirror, and parents learn how to brush and what to give to drink. After that, every six months. A child who first meets a dentist when something already hurts is far more afraid than one who has been here "just to look".

How a visit with a child works

1. Getting acquainted, no rush. At the first visit we do not treat unless there is pain: we look, count the teeth, let the child hold the instruments. A parent stays alongside.
2. Tell, show, do. Every step is first shown on a finger or a toy, then on the tooth. The child knows what comes next and is not afraid.
3. Breaks and anaesthesia. If treatment is needed, the gum is numbed with a gel before the injection, which the child barely feels. We work with breaks and keep visits under 30–40 minutes.
4. Praise at the end. Even if only an examination was possible. Next time more will be.

We do not offer sedation or general anaesthesia: we work with local anaesthesia and patience. If a child can only be treated under general anaesthesia, we say so honestly at the consultation and suggest where it can be done.

What we treat and what it costs

Children's hygiene – 40–55 EUR

Removal of plaque and staining, polishing, and teaching the child to brush so it works. Recommended every six months from the time the child brushes alone; necessary when there is plaque at the gums or white spots appear. Details: dental hygiene.

Filling of a baby tooth – 50–60 EUR

Milk teeth need treating even though they will fall out: decay reaches the nerve 2–3 times faster than in a permanent tooth, it hurts, and it can damage the permanent tooth forming underneath. We fill with light-cured composite or fluoride-releasing glass ionomer, in one visit, with anaesthesia if the cavity is deep.

Pulpotomy of a baby tooth – 80–100 EUR

If decay has reached the nerve we do not extract straight away: the inflamed part of the nerve in the crown is removed, the root part kept and the tooth sealed. The tooth serves until it falls out naturally and holds the space for the permanent one.

Extraction of a baby tooth – 40 EUR

We extract when the tooth is damaged beyond repair, when there is infection at the root, or when a milk tooth will not fall out and blocks the permanent tooth. Quick, with anaesthesia, with praise at the end.

Bottle decay and other common childhood problems

Bottle decay affects toddlers who fall asleep with a bottle or drink sweet drinks often: the front milk teeth develop white spots, then turn brown. Caught early it is arrested with hygiene and fluoride, no drilling. Stomatitis, painful blisters and ulcers in the mouth with a temperature, is usually a viral infection that passes in 7–10 days; the dentist tells it apart from a tooth problem and advises on easing the pain. Losing milk teeth: they fall out between about 5–6 and 12, front teeth first; if a permanent tooth is erupting while the milk tooth still holds, come in, as it sometimes needs removing. Bite and alignment: we do not offer orthodontics; if we see a child needs an orthodontist, we say so in good time.

How to prepare your child

• Talk about the visit as something ordinary; avoid "it will hurt", "don't be scared" and "drill".
• Come in the morning or after a nap, not before bedtime and not right after a meal.
• Play dentist at home: count the teddy's teeth, shine a torch.
• Do not promise a reward for "being brave"; it signals something bad is coming. A surprise treat afterwards is fine.
• If you fear the dentist yourself, let the other parent bring the child.

Why bring your child to Laurus Dent plus

• Prices are known before the visit and match the price list: hygiene 40–55 EUR, filling 50–60 EUR, pulpotomy 80–100 EUR, extraction 40 EUR.
• A first visit without treatment when there is no pain: the child gets acquainted, parents get a plan.
• Local anaesthesia with numbing gel before the injection, breaks, visits under 40 minutes.
• We speak to the child in English, Latvian, Russian or Ukrainian, whichever feels safe.
• Central Riga, Lastādijas iela 12-k-1, with parking; Monday to Friday 8–20, so after kindergarten works.

See also: cavity treatment · dental hygiene · what tooth decay is · your child's first dental visit · all prices.