✔ 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
A child’s teeth change a lot in the first eighteen years. The first tooth usually appears around six months. By age three, most children have all twenty milk teeth. From around age six, these start to fall out and permanent teeth take their place. By the early teens, most permanent teeth are in.
At each stage, children face different dental risks. Babies can get decay from night time feeding. Preschoolers may develop cavities from sweets and juice. School children often chip teeth during play. Teenagers may need braces or struggle to keep up with brushing.
A pediatric dentist in Nungambakkam can guide your family through each of these stages. Regular visits help catch problems early, keep treatment simple and teach children that the dentist is someone who helps, not someone to fear.
This guide explains what a pediatric dentist does, what care your child needs at each age, common problems in children’s teeth, how to prepare your child for a visit and how to choose the right dentist. It also introduces the pediatric dental team at Rayen Dental Care Centre.
Who is a Pediatric Dentist?
A pediatric dentist, also called a pedodontist, is a dentist who has completed extra training in caring for children.
In India, all dentists first study the five year Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) course. A pediatric dentist then completes a three year Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) in Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry. During this training, they learn how children’s teeth and jaws grow, how to help children feel calm during treatment, how to treat milk teeth and how to prevent decay from an early age.
So when you visit a pediatric dentist in Nungambakkam, your child is seen by a dentist whose daily work is caring for young patients. They are used to crying babies, curious toddlers, nervous school children and busy teenagers.
Your Child’s Dental Care, Age by Age
Birth to 2 Years
- Before the first tooth: Wipe your baby’s gums with a soft, clean, damp cloth after feeds.
- First tooth: Usually appears between six and ten months. Start brushing with a soft baby brush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice.
- First dental visit: Book it when the first tooth appears, or by the first birthday.
- Teething: Sore gums, drooling and fussiness are common. A clean, chilled teething ring can help. Avoid gels that numb the gums unless your dentist or doctor advises them.
- Night feeding: Avoid letting your baby fall asleep with milk or juice in the mouth, as this can cause early decay.
3 to 5 Years
- All milk teeth are in: Most children have twenty milk teeth by age three.
- Toothpaste: Use a pea sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
- Brushing help: Children cannot clean their teeth well on their own yet, so parents should brush for them or help them.
- Sugar: Biscuits, chocolates, sweets and packed juice are common causes of decay at this age.
- Habits: Thumb sucking and pacifier use should usually stop by around age four.
- Checkups: Every six months, with fluoride varnish if advised.
6 to 12 Years
- Mixed teeth: Milk teeth begin to fall out and the first permanent molars come in behind the milk teeth, often without parents noticing.
- Sealants: These protective coatings are often placed on the new permanent molars to prevent decay in the deep grooves.
- Bite checks: This is a good age to check for crowding, crossbite or other bite problems, as some can be guided while the jaw is still growing.
- Injuries: Falls during play and sports are common. A mouthguard can protect teeth during contact sports.
13 to 18 Years
- Permanent teeth: Most are in by age thirteen, except the wisdom teeth.
- Braces and aligners: Many teenagers start orthodontic treatment at this stage.
- Gum care: Hormone changes can make gums more likely to bleed and swell.
- Diet and habits: Soft drinks, energy drinks, frequent snacking and skipped brushing raise the risk of decay.
- Wisdom teeth: The dentist may start watching their position on X-rays.
Common Dental Problems in Children
- Tooth decay: The most common long term health problem in children. It often starts as a chalky white spot on the tooth, then turns brown or black as it grows into a cavity.
- Early childhood caries: Severe decay in babies and toddlers, often linked to night time bottle feeding or frequent sweet drinks.
- Gum inflammation: Red, puffy gums that bleed during brushing, usually because plaque has not been cleaned away properly.
- Bite and alignment problems: Crowding, gaps, overbite, underbite and crossbite. Some of these can be guided early with simple appliances.
- Dental injuries: Chipped, cracked, pushed in or knocked out teeth after falls, sports or accidents.
- Oral habits: Thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, nail biting and mouth breathing can change how the teeth and jaws grow if they continue for too long.
- Delayed or early tooth loss: A milk tooth lost too early due to decay can allow neighbouring teeth to drift into the space. This can block the permanent tooth from coming in properly.
- Sensitivity: Pain with cold or sweet food can be a sign of early decay or worn enamel.
When to Book a Visit
Take your child to the dentist if you notice:
- Pain or sensitivity in a tooth
- White, brown or black spots on the teeth
- Bleeding or swollen gums
- A small pimple or swelling on the gum, which may mean an infection
- Swelling of the face
- Difficulty chewing or biting
- Teeth that are very late to come in or are coming in the wrong place
- Thumb sucking or tongue thrusting after age four
- Mouth breathing, loud snoring or restless sleep
- Any injury to the teeth or mouth
Swelling of the face, especially with fever, and dental injuries need urgent care.
Treatments for Children
- Checkups and cleaning: The dentist checks how the teeth are growing, looks for early decay and gently cleans away plaque and tartar.
- Fluoride varnish: A protective layer painted on the teeth to make the enamel stronger.
- Sealants: A thin coating on the chewing surfaces of back teeth to keep out food and germs.
- Tooth coloured fillings: Used to repair cavities in milk teeth and permanent teeth.
- Pulp treatment: When decay reaches the inner part of a milk tooth, the infected tissue is removed and the tooth is treated so it can stay until it falls out naturally.
- Crowns for milk teeth: Used to cover and protect badly decayed or broken milk teeth.
- Space maintainers: Small appliances that hold space open when a milk tooth is lost too early.
- Habit correction: Guidance and, when needed, appliances to help children stop thumb sucking or tongue thrusting.
- Early bite guidance: Appliances that guide jaw growth and tooth position in growing children.
- Myofunctional therapy: Exercises that train the tongue, lips and face muscles to work correctly, which can support better breathing and swallowing.
- Emergency care: 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 on Tank Bund Road has five dentists with MDS training in pediatric dentistry. They are supported by two specialists in oral medicine and radiology and two general dentists. For families looking for a pediatric dentist in Nungambakkam, this means your child is seen by a dentist trained in children’s care, and parents can have their own dental care at the same clinic.
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 leads the clinic and has spent his career in children’s dentistry. He studied at Madras Dental College and Meenakshi Ammal Dental College. Before setting up his practice, he worked as a pedodontist and general dentist at Dr. Vijayalakshmi Acharya’s clinic, Best Hospital, and the Ministry of Defence facility in Avadi.
He has a special interest in conscious sedation, a method that helps nervous children relax during treatment. He has published papers on this subject in national and international journals and conducts training programmes and dental camps.
In his daily work, Dr. Rayen looks closely at how a child’s jaws are developing. He watches for habits such as mouth breathing, thumb sucking and tongue thrusting, which can affect jaw shape over time. When these are found early, growth can often be guided with simple appliances.
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 in children’s dentistry. His work includes treating cavities and infected milk teeth, placing fillings and crowns, and fitting space maintainers when a milk tooth is lost too early.
He keeps treatment calm and step by step. Before he begins, he tells the child what will happen and lets them see and touch some of the tools. This helps the child feel in control and less afraid. He also spends time with parents on home care, including brushing routines and cutting down on sugary snacks.
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 in children’s dentistry. She sees patients from infancy to the teenage years and changes her approach to suit each stage.
With babies and toddlers, much of her work is guiding parents on cleaning, feeding and teething. With school children, the focus moves to sealants, fillings and watching how the permanent teeth come in. With teenagers, she helps with gum care, decay prevention and bite concerns. She is patient with first time visitors and takes time to make the visit a positive one.
Dr. Anunitha R
- Qualifications: MDS
- Designation: Pediatric Dentist
- Area of work: Pediatric Dentistry
Dr. Anunitha R holds an MDS in pediatric dentistry and focuses on prevention. At each checkup, she looks for early warning signs such as white spots on the teeth and early crowding, so that problems can be managed before they need bigger treatment.
She talks to children in simple, friendly language and involves parents in every decision. This helps children feel safe and helps parents understand how to support their child’s teeth 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. Her work covers preventive care, such as fluoride varnish and sealants, as well as restorative care, such as fillings and crowns for decayed milk teeth.
She pays special attention to a child’s first few visits, knowing that a good start can shape how a child feels about the dentist for years. She builds trust slowly, so that each visit feels a little easier than the last.
Diagnostic Support
Dr. Bhavithra Augusthian (BDS, MDS, 7+ years) is an Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologist. She reads dental X-rays and scans to find problems that cannot be seen during a normal check, such as decay between teeth, infection near the roots, missing or extra teeth and delays in tooth development.
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 soft tissue conditions in the mouth.
General Dentistry for Parents
Dr. Nida Fathima (BDS, 7+ years) and Dr. Chandramouly are general dentists who care for adult patients. Parents can book their own checkups and treatment at the same clinic as their children.
Making Visits Comfortable for Children
Many children feel uneasy about the dentist. The team uses several methods to help:
- Tell, show, do: The dentist explains each step, shows the tool and then uses it, so nothing comes as a surprise.
- Audio visual distraction: Screens above the dental chair play content that keeps the child’s mind off the procedure.
- Praise and encouragement: Children are praised for sitting well, which builds confidence for next time.
- Parents nearby: Parents can stay with young children during the visit.
- Nitrous oxide sedation: For very anxious children or longer treatments, mild sedation with nitrous oxide, often called laughing gas, may be used. The child breathes it through a small nose mask, stays awake and feels calmer. The effect wears off soon after. The dentist checks the child’s medical history before using it.
A pediatric dentist in Nungambakkam who offers these comfort measures can make a real difference for a child who is afraid of dental visits.
Preparing Your Child for the First Visit
A little preparation at home can help the first visit go smoothly.
- Talk about it simply: Tell your child the dentist will count their teeth and check that they are healthy. Avoid words like “hurt”, “pain” or “injection”.
- Read or play: Picture books about visiting the dentist, or pretend play where your child checks a toy’s teeth, can make the idea familiar.
- Pick a good time: Book a morning slot or a time when your child is usually rested and not hungry.
- Stay calm: Children notice how parents feel. If you are relaxed, your child is more likely to be relaxed too.
- Bring what you need: Carry any past dental records, a list of medicines and details of any health conditions.
- Do not use the dentist as a threat: Saying “if you eat sweets, the dentist will give you an injection” makes children fear the dentist.
Common Myths About Children’s Teeth
“Milk teeth will fall out, so they do not need treatment.”
Milk teeth hold space for permanent teeth and help children chew and speak. Decayed milk teeth can cause pain and infection and may harm the permanent teeth growing below.
“Children do not need to see a dentist until all their teeth are in.”
The first visit should happen when the first tooth appears or by the first birthday. Early decay can start very soon after teeth come in.
“Fruit juice is a healthy drink for teeth.”
Packed and fresh juices contain natural sugar and acid. Frequent sipping can cause decay. Whole fruit and plain water are better choices.
“Bleeding gums in children are normal.”
Healthy gums do not bleed. Bleeding is usually a sign of plaque build up and needs better brushing and a dental check.
“Thumb sucking will stop on its own.”
Many children do stop by age three or four. If it continues longer, it can affect the teeth and jaw, and a dentist can help.
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. For parents, this means the clinic’s hygiene, sterilisation and safety processes are checked against national standards by an outside body.
How to Choose a Pediatric Dentist in Nungambakkam
- Check the qualification: Look for an MDS in Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry and registration with the State Dental Council.
- Ask about anxious children: Find out how the clinic helps nervous children, such as distraction or sedation.
- Look at hygiene: Ask how instruments are sterilised. NABH accreditation shows these processes are reviewed.
- Expect clear explanations: The dentist should explain your child’s condition and the treatment options in simple words.
- Ask for a cost estimate: You should know the expected cost before treatment begins.
- Check emergency access: Children’s dental injuries happen without warning, so ask whether the clinic can see your child quickly.
- Think about location: A clinic near home or school makes regular checkups easier. Nungambakkam is well connected to nearby areas such as Chetpet, Kodambakkam, T. Nagar, Egmore and Anna Nagar.
Home Care Tips for Parents
- Brush your child’s teeth twice a day, morning and night.
- Help with brushing until your child can do it well, usually around age seven or eight.
- Use the right amount of fluoride toothpaste for your child’s age.
- Start flossing once two teeth touch each other.
- Offer water instead of sweet drinks between meals.
- Keep sweets for mealtimes rather than all through the day.
- Do not put your child to bed with a bottle of milk or juice.
- Use a mouthguard for contact sports.
- Keep up with checkups every six months.
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
Conclusion
Every stage of childhood brings new dental needs, from the first tooth to the teenage years. Early visits, 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 Nungambakkam, 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 has a team of pediatric dentists, NABH accreditation that covers pedodontics and preventive dentistry, and comfort options for anxious children. A first visit is a simple way to have your child’s teeth checked and to get guidance for each stage of their growth.
