kinderzahnheilkunde

As a family dental practice in München-Oberföhring, we treat patients of all ages under one roof — from school-age children and teenagers to parents and grandparents. This is not a compromise but a genuine mark of quality: when children see the same dentist as their parents, they experience a dental visit as a normal, natural part of family life — not as a frightening exception. Children's dentistry in München does not have to mean seeking out a dedicated pediatric dental practice; very often, the continuity of a familiar practice is the single biggest factor in keeping children relaxed. Kids dentist München English-speaking families trust — that's us.

Our practice is tailored to school-age children from six years of age and teenagers. At this stage the first permanent teeth begin to emerge, the mixed dentition phase sets in — and with it the decisive period for lifelong oral health. We take as much time as your child needs: no time pressure, no rushing, no stress. Our team is experienced in working with children and meets every young patient with patience, humour, and genuine interest. If your child arrives feeling anxious, that is no problem for us — we know tried-and-tested techniques for building trust, one step at a time.

Many families wonder whether they should visit a specialised pediatric dental practice or stay with their usual family dentist. Our answer: familiarity with the dentist, the team, and the surroundings is often more valuable to a child than a purely paediatric specialist environment. Your child sees that Mum and Dad are treated here too — and that builds trust. When your child eventually grows up, there is no need to change practices. This continuity is an often-underestimated factor in fostering a positive attitude towards dental health throughout life. We are proud to be your family dentist in München — for every generation.

Your child's dental development follows clearly defined stages — and each stage places different demands on oral care and dental supervision. At around six years of age, the first permanent teeth erupt: the so-called six-year molars, the large back teeth that appear behind the baby teeth without any milk tooth falling out first. Many parents notice these teeth only late — which makes regular dental visits from this point all the more important.

From six to around twelve years, children are in the so-called mixed dentition phase: baby teeth and permanent teeth coexist in the mouth. This phase is particularly fascinating — and particularly important — from a dental perspective. The new permanent molars have deep fissures (grooves) and are not yet fully mineralised when they erupt, making them especially susceptible to decay. Furthermore, the arrangement of the teeth changes constantly, which complicates home oral hygiene. Parents should pay close attention during this phase to ensure that the permanent teeth are brushed thoroughly — and that their child still receives support with this.

From around twelve years of age, all permanent teeth (with the exception of the wisdom teeth) are present. The focus now shifts to consolidating the hygiene habits acquired during childhood and inspiring teenagers to take ownership of their own dental care. What parents should keep in mind at every stage: at least two dental visits per year are recommended for children — and more frequently in cases of elevated cavity risk. Regular check-ups allow us to detect problems early, before costly or complex treatments become necessary.

The first visit to our practice lays the foundation for your child's lifelong positive relationship with dentistry. That is why we set aside extra time for this appointment. At the initial meet-and-greet, treatment is not the focus — becoming familiar is. We show your child the treatment rooms, explain in a playful way what each instrument does, and give the child the opportunity to become curious at their own pace — without pressure, without rushing.

We use the well-established Tell-Show-Do technique: first we explain in age-appropriate language what we are going to do (Tell). Then we demonstrate it — for example on a fingernail or a model (Show). Only then do we carry out the actual procedure (Do). This method removes children's fear of the unknown and gives them the feeling of understanding and being in control of the situation. You as a parent also play an important role: please do not tell your child anything frightening about the dentist beforehand — no horror stories, no warnings about injections. Instead, speak with curiosity and positivity: "We're going to take a look at your teeth." That is quite enough.

Feel free to bring your child's favourite toy or stuffed animal — a familiar object can work wonders in new situations. Allow plenty of time, and try to come when your child is well rested and not hungry. Should an urgent treatment prove necessary at the first visit, we will discuss this with you in advance and proceed only as far as the child is comfortable. Our goal: your child leaves our practice with a smile — and is happy to come back next time.

Individual Prophylaxis (IP) is the cornerstone of statutory children's dental prevention in Germany. Children and teenagers between 6 and 17 years of age are entitled to this comprehensive preventive programme — twice per year, fully covered by the statutory health insurance (GKV). In our practice we carry out all IP services carefully and in a child-friendly manner. Find out more about our general prophylaxis services.

Fissure sealing is one of the most effective preventive measures in children's dentistry. Newly erupted permanent molars are particularly vulnerable: their enamel is not yet fully mineralised, and their deep chewing-surface grooves — known as fissures — can barely be cleaned thoroughly with a toothbrush. Studies show that more than 80 per cent of all cavities in children and teenagers develop precisely on these chewing surfaces.

The procedure is simple and completely painless: the chewing surface is first thoroughly cleaned and dried. It is then briefly etched with a special gel (acid etching) to ensure optimum adhesion. We then apply the low-viscosity sealant resin, which flows into all the fissures, and cure it with a blue-light lamp. The entire process takes only a few minutes per tooth and requires neither drilling nor anaesthesia.

A well-applied fissure sealant lasts 5 to 10 years — often longer. We check the sealants at every routine visit and renew them as needed. Statutory health insurance covers the cost of sealing permanent molars 6 and 7 in full. For premolars (the small back teeth), we also recommend sealing in cases of elevated cavity risk — a small co-payment applies here. Further information is available on our tooth sealant page.

Tooth decay is the most common chronic illness in childhood — and yet it is almost 100 per cent preventable. Early signs that parents should know: white, chalky spots on the teeth (demineralisation), brown or black discolouration, and complaints of toothache when eating sweets or drinking something cold. The earlier we detect decay, the less invasively it can be treated — sometimes, when caught at the initial stage, intensive fluoride treatment is sufficient without any drilling.

Children are more susceptible to tooth decay than adults for several reasons: their enamel is thinner and less resistant, the fissures on their chewing surfaces are deeper, and their oral hygiene — understandably — is not yet as reliable as in adults. Add to this frequent snacks and sugary drinks that continuously feed caries bacteria. We are happy to advise you and your child on individual risk factors and help establish a low-decay daily routine.

When treatment becomes necessary, we use exclusively tooth-coloured composite fillings for children — no amalgam. Composite is aesthetic, conservative of tooth structure, and biocompatible. We work as gently and child-appropriately as possible: small amounts of local anaesthetic, short sessions, and frequent breaks. More about our approach to cavity treatment is available on the corresponding page.

Dental anxiety in children is widespread — and entirely understandable. New sounds, unfamiliar smells, unknown people approaching one's mouth: this can be overwhelming for a child. In our practice we address this anxiety exclusively with established behaviour-management techniques — no sedation, no laughing gas. Our goal is not to bypass the fear, but to build genuine trust together with your child.

Our most important tool is the Tell-Show-Do technique: we explain every step in advance in child-appropriate language, then demonstrate it in a harmless way (for example on a model or on the child's own fingernail), and only then carry it out. Your child always knows what is coming next — the unknown, which feeds anxiety, is dismantled step by step. With anxious children we deliberately keep appointments short: several small sessions are far better than one long one that overwhelms the child. Breaks are taken along the way — whenever the child wishes.

Positive reinforcement is another key element: we consistently praise what the child has done well and emphasise progress. After the appointment there is a small token of bravery — not a sweet of course, but a sticker or a small toy from our trophy box. You as a parent are also a decisive factor: stay calm, positive, and relaxed — children are very sensitive to their parents' mood. You are welcome to stay in the room during treatment if that reassures your child. Together we will find the right approach for your child.

Sugar is the main enemy of healthy children's teeth — but not just the obvious sugar in gummy bears or chocolate. Hidden sugar is the real problem in everyday family life: fruit juices and smoothies often contain more sugar per glass than a cola. Dried fruit — frequently considered a healthy snack by parents — sticks to the teeth and delivers concentrated sugar for hours. Ketchup, breakfast cereals, fruit yoghurts, and ready-made sauces are further sugar sources that many families underestimate. Our recommendation: read the labels, and wherever possible switch to products with no added sugar.

Even more important than the quantity of sugar, however, is the frequency of intake. Every time caries bacteria receive sugar, they produce acid — which then attacks the enamel. The mouth needs approximately 30–45 minutes after each meal to neutralise the pH level. Someone who snacks on something sweet every two hours keeps their teeth under permanent acid attack. The recommendation: three main meals, a maximum of one to two small snacks — and in between, drink only water or unsweetened tea.

Tooth-friendly alternatives for children's daily life: raw vegetables (carrots, cucumber, bell pepper), cheese (which raises the pH in the mouth), nuts, and of course water as the primary drink. For teenagers in particular, sports drinks and energy drinks are a major issue: these products contain not only a great deal of sugar but also acids (phosphoric acid, citric acid) that directly attack the enamel — even when marketed as "sugar-free". We are happy to advise your children and teenagers on this topic in an age-appropriate way — not with prohibitions, but with clear information.

Sports-related dental injuries among children and teenagers are alarmingly common — and most would be preventable with a simple mouthguard. Contact sports such as martial arts, wrestling, hockey, or rugby already require a mouthguard in many clubs as a matter of obligation. But even in sports without direct body contact — cycling, inline skating, skateboarding, horse riding, climbing, and even football — a mouthguard effectively protects against dental injuries caused by falls or unexpected collisions. A permanent tooth lost in a sports accident is a loss with consequences that last a lifetime.

We fabricate individually fitted sports mouthguards in our practice. We take an impression of your child's teeth and have a mouthguard custom-made in the laboratory. An individually fitted mouthguard fits perfectly, barely impairs breathing, and is therefore actually worn — this is its decisive advantage over the inexpensive boil-and-bite products from sports shops, which children often discard after a short time because they press, deform, or restrict speech too much. For growing children we recommend a check-up and renewal if necessary every one to two years.

The cost of an individually fabricated sports mouthguard is typically 50 to 100 EUR. This service is not a Kassenleistung and is not usually reimbursed by the GKV — however, some private supplementary insurance policies cover part of the cost. Please speak to us: we will advise you on the options and are happy to provide a personalised quote for your child.

A major advantage of children's dentistry in Germany: statutory health insurers cover a broad range of preventive and treatment services for children and teenagers between 6 and 17 years of age in full. There is no co-payment for the most important measures — provided treatment is carried out by a contracted dentist (Kassenzahnarzt). Here is an overview:

An important tip: keep the Bonusheft (dental prevention booklet) up to date for your child. When the twice-yearly check-up appointments are consistently documented, children receive higher subsidies from the health insurer towards dental prosthetics as adults. The Bonusheft is worthwhile — and we are happy to remind you to bring it along.