✔ Medically Reviewed
Reviewed by Dr. Roshan Rayen , BDS, MDS — Chief Dentist, Rayen Dental Care Centre, Chennai
Registration number 5051
25 years of postgraduate clinical experience in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics
Every parent wants their child to grow up healthy and happy. We pay close attention to food, sleep, school and play. But a child’s teeth often get attention only when something hurts. By then, a small problem may already have become a bigger one.
Milk teeth may fall out one day, but they do important work while they are there. They help children chew food well, speak clearly and smile with confidence. They also hold space for the permanent teeth growing underneath. When milk teeth decay or are lost too early, the permanent teeth can come in crooked or crowded.
The habits a child learns early, like brushing, eating patterns and feelings about the dentist, often stay for life. This is why choosing the right pediatric dentist in Chennai matters. A good children’s dentist treats problems gently, helps prevent new ones and makes dental visits feel safe instead of scary.
This guide explains what a pediatric dentist does, when your child should first see one, common dental problems in children, the treatments available, and what to look for when choosing a dentist for your child. It also introduces the pediatric dental team at Rayen Dental Care Centre in Nungambakkam.
Who is a Pediatric Dentist?
A pediatric dentist, also called a pedodontist, is a dentist who has advanced training in caring for the teeth of infants, children and teenagers.
In India, every dentist first completes a five year Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree. A pediatric dentist then completes a three year Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) in Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry. This extra training covers:
- How teeth and jaws grow from birth to the teenage years
- Child psychology and ways to help children stay calm during treatment
- Preventing tooth decay in children
- Treating milk teeth and young permanent teeth
- Spotting bite and jaw growth problems early
- Caring for children with special health or developmental needs
A pediatric dentist in Chennai sees children every day. They know how to speak to a nervous three year old, how to explain a filling to a curious eight year old, and how to guide a teenager through braces. They also guide parents on brushing, diet, fluoride and habits at home.
What Pediatric Dentists Focus On
- Infant oral care: Guidance on cleaning a baby’s gums, teething, the first tooth and avoiding night time bottle decay.
- Preventive care: Fluoride treatment, dental sealants and brushing guidance to stop cavities before they start.
- Behaviour guidance: Gentle methods that help children feel safe, such as “tell, show, do”, where the dentist explains a step, shows the tool and then uses it.
- Growth monitoring: Tracking how teeth come in and how the jaws grow, so that bite problems are caught early.
- Dental injuries: Prompt care for chipped, broken or knocked out teeth, which are common in active children.
- Children with special needs: Adjusted care for children with medical, developmental or behavioural conditions who need extra time and support.
- Care for milk teeth: Fillings, crowns and pulp treatment designed for milk teeth.
Why Children’s Dental Health Matters
Healthy milk teeth support:
- Eating: Children need healthy teeth to chew a range of foods, which supports good nutrition.
- Speech: Teeth help children form sounds correctly as they learn to speak.
- Space for permanent teeth: Milk teeth hold space and guide permanent teeth into place.
- Jaw and face growth: Healthy teeth and a good bite support normal jaw development.
- Confidence: Children with painful or decayed teeth may avoid smiling, eating or talking in front of others.
Tooth decay is one of the most common long term health problems in children. Untreated decay can cause pain, infection, missed school days and trouble sleeping. Regular checkups help catch problems early, when treatment is simple and quick.
When Should Your Child First See a Dentist?
Your child should have their first dental visit when the first tooth appears, or by their first birthday, whichever comes first.
The first visit is usually short and gentle. The dentist looks at your child’s mouth, checks how the teeth are coming in and looks for early signs of decay. Many babies are checked while sitting on the parent’s lap.
The visit is also a chance for parents to ask questions about teething, feeding, brushing, thumb sucking and fluoride. Starting early with a pediatric dentist in Chennai helps your child get used to dental visits before any problem comes up.
After the first visit, most children need a checkup every six months. Some children with a higher risk of decay may need more frequent visits.
Signs Your Child Needs to See a Dentist
Book a visit if you notice any of these:
- Tooth pain or sensitivity: Pain while eating, or crying when drinking something cold or sweet
- White, brown or black spots on the teeth: These can be early signs of decay
- Bleeding or swollen gums: Often a sign of plaque build up or poor brushing
- Swelling of the face or a pimple on the gum: This can mean a tooth infection and needs urgent care
- Delayed or unusual tooth eruption: Teeth coming in very late or in the wrong place
- Thumb sucking beyond age four: Long lasting habits can affect the bite
- Mouth breathing or loud snoring: This can be linked to jaw growth or airway problems
- A dental injury: Any knock to the teeth or mouth after a fall or sports injury
Common Dental Problems in Children
- Early childhood caries: Also called baby bottle tooth decay. It happens when a child falls asleep with milk, formula or juice in the mouth. The sugar feeds germs that make acid, which damages the teeth.
- Cavities in milk teeth: Many parents think milk teeth do not need treatment because they will fall out. But decayed milk teeth can cause pain and infection, and can harm the permanent teeth growing below.
- Teething discomfort: Sore, swollen gums, drooling and irritability are common when new teeth come in.
- Thumb sucking and pacifier habits: These are normal in babies. If they continue for too long, they can push teeth forward and change the shape of the jaw.
- Bite problems: Crowding, overbite, underbite and crossbite can often be spotted early and guided as the child grows.
- Tooth sensitivity: Often linked to early decay or weak enamel.
- Gum inflammation: Red, puffy gums that bleed during brushing, usually caused by plaque.
- Dental injuries: Children often chip or knock out teeth during play.
- Delayed or irregular eruption: Teeth may come in late, early or in the wrong position.
Pediatric Dental Treatments
- Routine checkups and cleaning: The dentist checks tooth growth, gum health and brushing, and gently removes plaque and tartar.
- Fluoride treatment: A fluoride varnish is painted on the teeth to strengthen the enamel and lower the risk of cavities.
- Dental sealants: A thin protective coating is placed on the chewing surfaces of back teeth, where food and germs tend to collect.
- Tooth coloured fillings: Cavities are cleaned and filled with materials that match the natural colour of the tooth.
- Pulp therapy: When decay reaches the inner part of a milk tooth, the infected tissue is removed and the tooth is treated. This helps save the tooth until it falls out naturally.
- Crowns for milk teeth: Badly broken or decayed milk teeth can be covered with a crown to protect them.
- Space maintainers: If a milk tooth is lost too early, a small appliance holds the space open so the permanent tooth can come in properly.
- Habit breaking appliances: These help children stop long lasting thumb sucking or tongue thrusting habits.
- Early orthodontic guidance: The dentist monitors jaw growth and tooth alignment. Some bite problems can be guided with simple appliances while the child is still growing.
- Emergency care: Prompt treatment for broken, chipped or knocked out teeth and for dental infections.
Meet the Pediatric Dental Team at Rayen Dental Care Centre
Rayen Dental Care Centre in Nungambakkam has five dentists with MDS training in pediatric dentistry, supported by two specialists in oral medicine and radiology. For parents looking for a pediatric dentist in Chennai, this means children are seen by dentists with specific training in children’s dental care, and diagnosis, X-rays and treatment can be done in one place.
Meet Our Expert Pediatric Dental Team
Dr. Roshan Rayen
- Qualifications: BDS, MDS, POS
- Experience: 25+ Years
- Designation: Pedodontist and Dental Surgeon, Director
- Area of work: Pediatric Dentistry, early bite guidance and sedation dentistry
Dr. Roshan Rayen is the Director of Rayen Dental Care Centre and a pedodontist with a long career in children’s dental care. He studied at Madras Dental College and Meenakshi Ammal Dental College. Before setting up his own practice, he worked as a pedodontist and general dentist at several healthcare centres, including Dr. Vijayalakshmi Acharya’s clinic, Best Hospital, and the Ministry of Defence facility in Avadi.
A key focus of his work is conscious sedation, which helps anxious children stay calm during treatment. He has published papers on conscious sedation in national and international journals. He also conducts dental camps and training programmes for dentists.
In his daily practice, Dr. Rayen pays close attention to how a child’s teeth and jaws are growing. Habits such as thumb sucking, mouth breathing and tongue thrusting can change the shape of the jaw over time. He works to spot these early and guide growth with simple appliances where suitable. He also places importance on making each child feel safe from the first visit, so that dental care becomes a normal part of growing up.
Dr. D. Manikandan
- Qualifications: BDS, MDS
- Experience: 7+ years
- Designation: Associate Pediatric Dentist
- Area of work: Pediatric Dentistry
Dr. D. Manikandan has more than seven years of experience and holds an MDS in pediatric dentistry. He treats dental problems in children and teenagers, with a strong focus on prevention and early care.
His work includes managing cavities, fluoride treatment, fillings, pulp treatment for infected milk teeth and space maintainers when a milk tooth is lost too early. He takes time to explain each step to the child in simple words before starting, which helps reduce fear and build cooperation.
Dr. Manikandan believes that prevention works best when parents and children work together. During visits, he guides families on brushing techniques, the right amount of toothpaste for the child’s age, and how sugary snacks and drinks affect teeth. The aim is to lower the chance of future problems, not just treat the one in front of him.
Dr. Chandrakantha Balaraman
- Qualifications: BDS, MDS
- Experience: 5+ years
- Designation: Associate Pediatric Dentist
- Area of work: Pediatric Dentistry
Dr. Chandrakantha Balaraman has more than five years of experience and holds an MDS in pediatric dentistry. She cares for children across all age groups, from infants having their first dental check to teenagers with cavities or alignment concerns.
Each age needs a different approach. For babies and toddlers, she focuses on early checks, teething guidance and helping parents prevent bottle related decay. For school age children, care often includes sealants, fillings and watching how the permanent teeth come in. For teenagers, the focus may move to gum care and bite concerns.
She adjusts how she speaks and how she works to suit each child’s age and comfort. With first time patients who feel nervous, she takes extra time so the child feels at ease. A calm early experience helps children feel more relaxed about dental care as they grow.
Dr. Anunitha R
- Qualifications: MDS
- Designation: Pediatric Dentist
- Area of work: Pediatric Dentistry
Dr. Anunitha R holds an MDS in pediatric dentistry. Her work centres on gentle, preventive care for children.
At regular checkups, she looks for early warning signs such as white spots on the enamel, which can turn into cavities if ignored. She also watches for signs of crowding or bite problems as the child grows. Finding these early often means simpler treatment, fewer visits and less discomfort.
When treatment is needed, she explains each step in a way the child can understand. Children who know what will happen next tend to feel less anxious and more willing to cooperate. She also involves parents in the process and guides them on supporting good habits at home.
Dr. Madhu Nandhini K
- Qualifications: MDS
- Designation: Pediatric Dentist
- Area of work: Pediatric Dentistry
Dr. Madhu Nandhini K holds an MDS in pediatric dentistry. She provides both preventive and restorative care for children.
Her preventive work includes checkups, cleaning, fluoride varnish, and sealants. Her restorative work includes tooth coloured fillings, crowns for badly decayed milk teeth, and treatment of infected teeth.
She focuses on making children comfortable from their very first visit. A child’s early dental experiences often shape how they feel about the dentist for years. By building trust step by step, she helps families stay regular with their child’s dental visits.
Diagnostic Support
Dr. Bhavithra Augusthian (BDS, MDS, 7+ years) is an Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologist. She reads X-rays and scans to help find problems that cannot be seen during a normal check, such as hidden decay, infection at the root, missing or extra teeth, and delays in tooth development. Her findings help the pediatric team plan treatment accurately.
Dr. Jebarani Jeevitha S (MDS) is an Oral and Maxillofacial Physician and Radiologist. She supports the team with detailed imaging of the jaws and face, which helps in assessing jaw growth, impacted teeth, and conditions of the soft tissues in the mouth.
Care for the Whole Family
The clinic’s general dentists, Dr. Nida Fathima and Dr. Chandramouly, care for adult patients. This allows parents and children to have their dental care at the same clinic.
Making Dental Visits Comfortable for Children
Many children feel nervous at the dentist. Rayen Dental Care Centre uses several methods to help them feel safe.
Tell, show, do: The dentist explains what will happen, shows the tool, and then uses it. Nothing comes as a surprise.
Audio visual distraction: Screens above the dental chair play content that keeps the child’s attention away from the procedure.
Positive reinforcement: Children are praised for good behaviour, which builds confidence for the next visit.
Parent involvement: Parents can stay with young children and are kept informed at every step.
Nitrous oxide sedation: For very anxious children, or for longer procedures, the clinic offers conscious sedation with nitrous oxide, often called laughing gas. The child breathes it through a small nose mask. It helps them feel calm and relaxed while staying awake. The effect wears off soon after the mask is removed. Sedation is used only after the dentist checks the child’s medical history and decides it is suitable.
Choosing a pediatric dentist in Chennai who offers these comfort measures can make a real difference for a child who fears dental visits.
Airway, Breathing and Jaw Growth
Some children breathe through their mouth, snore at night or sleep poorly. In some cases, this can be linked to a narrow upper jaw, tongue posture or enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Over time, mouth breathing can also affect how the face and jaws grow.
The pediatric team looks at teeth, jaws and breathing together. Depending on the child’s needs, care may include:
- Myofunctional therapy: Simple exercises that train the tongue, lips and face muscles to work correctly, which can support better breathing, swallowing and jaw growth
- Jaw expansion appliances: These gently widen a narrow upper jaw while the child is still growing
- Habit correction: Help with thumb sucking, tongue thrusting and mouth breathing
- Coordination with ENT doctors: When tonsils, adenoids or nasal blockage are involved, care is planned along with an ear, nose and throat specialist
Technology Used at the Clinic
The clinic uses the following equipment for diagnosis and treatment:
- Digital X-rays (RVG): Clear images of the teeth with lower radiation than older film X-rays
- 3D imaging: Detailed views of the jaws and teeth when a normal X-ray is not enough
- Intraoral scanner (Primescan): Takes a digital impression of the teeth, so many children can avoid the messy impression trays
- Laser dentistry: Used in certain soft tissue procedures. In suitable cases, it may help reduce bleeding and support healing.
- Dental microscope: Gives the dentist a magnified view for precise work
- CAD/CAM (CEREC): Allows some ceramic restorations to be designed and made in the clinic
- T-Scan 10 and BioEMG III: Tools that measure bite force and jaw muscle activity, used in assessing bite and jaw problems
NABH Accreditation
Rayen Dental Care Centre is accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH), a constituent board of the Quality Council of India. The clinic has been assessed under the NABH standards for Dental Health Service Providers.
- Certificate number: D-2025-0455
- Valid from: 13 March 2025
- Valid until: 12 March 2029
Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry is one of the clinical services covered under this accreditation, along with General Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral Medicine and Radiology, and Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics.
For parents, this means the clinic’s processes for hygiene, sterilisation and patient safety are reviewed by an outside body against national standards.
How to Choose a Pediatric Dentist in Chennai
These points can help you choose the right dentist for your child:
- Qualification: Check that the dentist has an MDS in Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry and is registered with the State Dental Council.
- Experience with children: Ask how often the dentist treats children of your child’s age.
- Approach to anxious children: Ask what the clinic does to help nervous children, such as distraction or sedation.
- Hygiene and safety: Ask how instruments are sterilised. NABH accreditation shows these processes are checked against national standards.
- Diagnostic tools: Digital X-rays help find problems early with less radiation.
- Clear explanations: The dentist should explain your child’s condition and options in simple words, along with the benefits and risks.
- Clear costs: You should receive a cost estimate before treatment begins.
- Emergency access: Children get dental injuries without warning, so check whether the clinic can see your child quickly.
- Location: A clinic close to home or school makes regular checkups easier.
How Often Should Children Visit the Dentist?
| Child | How Often |
| Babies (from the first tooth) | Every 6 months |
| Children with healthy teeth | Every 6 months |
| Children with a high risk of decay | Every 3 to 4 months, as advised |
| Children with braces or appliances | Every 4 to 6 weeks |
Regular checkups let the dentist track tooth eruption and jaw growth, apply fluoride, check brushing and find early decay before it causes pain.
Caring for Your Child’s Teeth at Home
- Start early: Wipe your baby’s gums with a soft, clean cloth even before the first tooth appears.
- Use the right amount of toothpaste: For children under three, use a smear the size of a grain of rice. For children aged three to six, use a pea sized amount.
- Brush twice a day: Help your child brush until they can do it well on their own, usually around age seven or eight.
- Floss once teeth touch: Start flossing when two teeth touch each other.
- Avoid bedtime bottles: Do not put your child to sleep with milk, formula or juice.
- Cut down on sugar: Limit sweets, biscuits, chocolates and sweet drinks, especially between meals.
- Offer healthy snacks: Fruits, vegetables, curd and nuts are better choices than packaged snacks.
- Use a mouthguard for sports: This helps protect teeth during contact sports.
- Keep regular checkups: Visit the dentist every six months, even when nothing hurts.
Dental Emergencies in Children
Call the clinic as soon as possible if your child has:
- A knocked out, broken or loose tooth after an injury
- Swelling of the face or gums
- Severe tooth pain
- Bleeding that does not stop
If a permanent tooth is knocked out, hold it by the crown, not the root. Rinse it gently if dirty, place it in milk and reach the clinic quickly. Do not try to put a knocked out milk tooth back in place.
How to Book an Appointment
- Call +91 90038 79676 or +91 72000 96075
- WhatsApp +91 90038 79676
- Email rayendental@gmail.com
- Online form on the Contact Us page
Address: Redbricks Leela Apartments, 30/1 Tank Bund Road, Nungambakkam (near Loyola College), Chennai 600 034
Before the visit, keep your child’s previous dental records, X-rays and a list of any medicines or health conditions ready.
Conclusion
A child’s dental health shapes how they eat, speak, sleep and feel about themselves. Early checkups, good habits at home and gentle treatment when needed help children grow up with healthy teeth and a positive attitude towards dental care.
When choosing a pediatric dentist in Chennai, look at the dentist’s training, their approach to nervous children, the clinic’s hygiene standards and how clearly they explain treatment to you.
Rayen Dental Care Centre in Nungambakkam has a team of pediatric dentists, NABH accreditation that covers pedodontics and preventive dentistry, and comfort options such as audio visual distraction and nitrous oxide sedation. A first visit is a simple way to have your child’s teeth checked and to get guidance on keeping their smile healthy as they grow.
