Early paediatric dental visit: the foundation of your child's oral health

Your child's first dental appointment is a fundamental step in ensuring the healthy development of their teeth and preventing oral problems from an early age.

The leading international oral health organisations recommend that the first appointment takes place as soon as the first primary tooth erupts, or by 12 months of age at the latest.

At Clínica Dr. Paulo Cardozo, in Benavente, the early paediatric dental appointment is conducted in a welcoming and safe environment, with the aim of assessing the child's oral development, guiding parents on daily care, and establishing a regular monitoring routine that accompanies your child's growth.

If your child has not yet had their first dental appointment, or if you would like to begin regular dental care, book your assessment appointment.

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Technology Supporting Paediatric Dentistry Appointments

At Clínica Dr. Paulo Cardozo, routine paediatric dentistry appointments are complemented by digital imaging examinations adapted to the child's age, which allow the development of the dentition to be monitored safely and with clinical rigour.

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Follow-up with orthopantomography

Follow-up with orthopantomography

The digital panoramic X-ray captures a full panoramic image of the child's entire dental arch in a single exposure, using very low radiation doses. This examination is particularly useful for assessing the presence and position of developing permanent teeth and identifying possible developmental anomalies.

Diagnosis with Periapical Radiograph

Diagnosis with Periapical Radiograph

The digital periapical radiograph is used when a specific tooth, its root, or the surrounding bone requires more detailed assessment. In paediatric dentistry, it is indicated for diagnosing hidden caries, periapical lesions, or evaluating the condition of a primary tooth before its natural exfoliation.

Caries Detection with Bitewing Radiographs

Caries Detection with Bitewing Radiographs

Bitewing radiographs are the examination of choice for detecting caries between the teeth, particularly at the contact points of the deciduous molars. This examination is simple, quick, and essential for identifying carious lesions at an early stage, when conservative intervention is still possible.

Dra. Daniela Cardozo
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“An early dental visit is the most important investment parents can make in their children's oral health. By starting care early, we can prevent problems, guide good habits, and build a relationship of trust between the child and the dentist that lasts a lifetime.”

Dra. Daniela Cardozo

Dentist

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What is an early dental visit and why should your child see a dentist early?

What is an early dental visit and why should your child see a dentist early?

The early paediatric dental appointment is a child's first dental visit, recommended by the leading oral health reference bodies, including the AAPD (American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry) and the EAPD (European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry) — ideally as soon as the first primary tooth erupts, or by 12 months of age at the latest.

This appointment is primarily preventive and educational in nature.

The dentist assesses the development of the child's oral cavity, checks the eruption of the primary teeth, identifies possible risk factors for tooth decay, and provides guidance to parents on oral hygiene, diet, and habits such as dummy use or thumb-sucking.

Routine appointments should take place every six months from the first visit onwards, in order to monitor the growth and development of the child's dentition.

At each appointment, the dentist assesses the health of the teeth and gums, monitors the eruption of the permanent teeth, and reinforces prevention guidance tailored to each stage of development.

Scientific evidence shows that children who begin dental care early have a lower incidence of tooth decay and a reduced need for restorative treatments throughout childhood.

At Clínica Dr. Paulo Cardozo, the early appointment is the first step in an ongoing prevention programme.

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What our patients say

I took my son to his first appointment at the age of one and he adapted very well. He now goes to the dentist every six months without any worry.

Mariana Lemos

The team explained everything to us about our son's brushing technique and diet. We feel so much more confident about his daily care at home.

Ricardo Franco

My daughter used to be afraid of the dentist, but after her first routine appointments, she started going enthusiastically. Their approach with children is excellent.

Cláudia Simão

4 Steps to Your Child's Dental Appointment

4 Steps to Your Child's Dental Appointment

Paediatric dentistry appointments at Clínica Dr. Paulo Cardozo follow a structured protocol that monitors the child's development, from the first appointment through to the permanent dentition.

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First Appointment and Initial Assessment

At the first appointment, the dentist carries out a clinical examination tailored to the child's age, assesses the eruption of the primary teeth, checks the development of the oral cavity, and identifies caries risk factors. Parents receive guidance on oral hygiene, diet, and oral habits.

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Personalised Prevention Plan

Based on the initial assessment, an individualised prevention plan is drawn up for the child, which may include oral hygiene recommendations, guidance on fluoride use, and scheduling of six-monthly follow-up appointments.

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Routine appointments and monitoring

At six-monthly routine appointments, the dentist assesses the health of the teeth and gums, monitors the eruption of permanent teeth, performs imaging when indicated and applies preventive measures such as fissure sealants or topical fluoride application.

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Transition to the Permanent Dentition

As the child grows, routine appointments adapt to the needs of each stage: monitoring the change of teeth, early orthodontic assessment, and reinforcing oral hygiene habits in preparation for adolescence.

Everything you need to know about early and routine dental visits

Everything you need to know about early and routine dental visits

Children's oral health begins long before the first teeth appear.

The early appointment is the ideal moment for parents to receive guidance on how to care for their child's mouth from the first months of life, and for the dentist to assess the development of the oral cavity.

Tooth decay is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in childhood and can affect primary teeth as soon as they erupt.

Early detection of risk factors — such as dietary habits, brushing frequency, and fluoride exposure — allows prevention strategies to be implemented before problems become established.

Routine six-monthly check-ups are essential for monitoring the child's development.

At each appointment, the dentist checks the condition of the teeth and gums, monitors the eruption of the permanent teeth, and assesses the need for preventive interventions, such as the application of fissure sealants on the first permanent molars.

International oral health organisations recommend that all children have a dental appointment by 12 months of age and regular follow-up appointments every six months.

This frequency may be adjusted according to each child's individual risk.

At Clínica Dr. Paulo Cardozo, paediatric dental care is continuous and adapted to each stage of your child's development.

If you wish to begin dental monitoring for your child, book your appointment.

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Main Problems Detected at Early and Routine Appointments

Routine paediatric dentistry appointments allow early identification and intervention for the most common oral problems in childhood.

At Clínica Dr. Paulo Cardozo, each child is assessed individually. Find out about the most frequent problems.

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Early Childhood Caries

Early Childhood Caries

Early childhood caries is one of the most common chronic diseases in children and can affect primary teeth shortly after eruption.

It is frequently associated with inadequate dietary and oral hygiene habits.

Routine appointments allow the first signs of decay to be detected — often invisible to the naked eye — and enable conservative intervention before the disease progresses.

At Clínica Dr. Paulo Cardozo, the assessment includes a clinical examination and, where indicated, bitewing X-rays to detect decay between the teeth.

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Dental Eruption Anomalies

Changes in Tooth Eruption

Delayed or displaced eruption of primary or permanent teeth may indicate developmental anomalies that benefit from early monitoring.

At routine appointments, the dentist monitors the sequence and timing of dental eruption and requests imaging examinations, such as panoramic X-ray (OPG), when it is necessary to assess the position of permanent teeth still forming.

At Clínica Dr. Paulo Cardozo, regular monitoring allows timely intervention.

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Harmful Oral Habits

Harmful Oral Habits

Prolonged thumb-sucking or dummy use beyond the age of 3 can cause changes in jaw development and tooth position, with possible effects on the bite and facial aesthetics.

Routine appointments allow these habits to be identified and parents to be guided on strategies for gradually stopping them.

At Clínica Dr. Paulo Cardozo, monitoring includes an assessment of the impact of oral habits on the child's dental development.

Discover Clínica Médica Dentária Dr. Paulo Cardozo

At Clínica Dr. Paulo Cardozo in Benavente, early appointments and regular paediatric dental care are carried out in a child-friendly environment, using digital imaging diagnostics and a family-centred preventive approach.

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Book your appointment

If you wish to begin dental monitoring for your child or book a routine appointment, book your appointment at Clínica Dr. Paulo Cardozo and receive a prevention plan adapted to your child's age and needs.

  • Clínica Dr. Paulo Cardozo

    R. Vasco da Gama 6,

    2130-197 Benavente, Portugal

  • Telephone: +351 263 516 773

    Mobile: +351 919 366 534

    geral@clinicapaulocardozo.pt

Frequently asked questionsabout early and routine consultations

Clinical Rigour and International Standards

The clinical team at Clínica Dr. Paulo Cardozo guides its paediatric dentistry practice in accordance with the guidelines of the leading oral health reference bodies, including the FDI World Dental Federation, the Ordem dos Médicos Dentistas (OMD), the World Health Organization — Oral Health, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), and the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry (EAPD).

The continuous training and professional development of the clinical staff at Clínica Médica Dentária Dr. Paulo Cardozo, together with the integration of international recommendations into their practice, ensures that every procedure is carried out with safety and medical responsibility.

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