Oral CareYour child's first dental visit: timing and preparation
When to schedule the first appointment, how to prepare at home, and which phrases to avoid — a practical guide for families.
1 min read
Oral & Dental Health Clinic
For every smile, at every age —
a clinic built on patience and continuity
At our clinic in Caddebostan, every treatment — from general dentistry to paediatric dentistry — is followed from start to finish by the same team. Before any procedure, we talk through what will be done and why, together and in plain language.
Dentist-led clinic in Caddebostan, IstanbulWritten treatment plan and timeline before we start
A day at the clinic
How a day is planned
Appointments are placed according to the time each treatment needs — nothing is squeezed into the queue.
- Written treatment plan and timeline before we start
- We try to make room the same day for toothache
- Planned on digital radiographs and intraoral scans
Example day plan09:00–19:00
- 09:00Dental Implant Treatment60 minutesPlanned
- 11:00Zirconia Crowns60 minutesPlanned
- 13:00Porcelain Veneers75 minutesPlanned
- 15:00Root Canal Treatment60 minutesPlanned
- 17:00Teeth Whitening45 minutesPlanned
An illustrative day plan. Times come from the clinic's working hours and treatment names from this site's content; it contains no real appointment records.
- 11+
- Years in clinical practice
- 6
- Treatment categories
- 4+
- Continuing education events a year
T.C. Sağlık BakanlığıMarmara Üniversitesi Diş Hekimliği FakültesiTürk Dişhekimleri Birliğiİstanbul Dişhekimleri Odası
Where to start
Tell us the problem, we'll point to the treatment
You do not need to know which treatment you need. Pick whichever line below sounds closest to your situation — the relevant treatments and what to expect are explained there.
My tooth hurts
It might be sensitivity to hot and cold, a throbbing ache, or pain when you bite down. The first step is working out where it's coming from — decay, the nerve, or the gum.
See related treatmentsI'm missing a tooth
A gap left by an extraction or a lost tooth can be a concern. Bone volume is assessed first, and implant, bridge and denture options are then discussed together.
See related treatmentsI don't like the way my smile looks
It could be colour, shape, uneven length or gaps between teeth. Gum health and decay are checked first, then whitening, bonding, veneers or zirconia are considered.
See related treatmentsMy teeth don't line up well
This can show up as crowding, a bite that's off, or a jaw mismatch. Once measurements are taken, clear aligner and brace options are discussed together.
See related treatmentsMy gums bleed when I brush
You might notice bleeding while brushing, bad breath, or gums pulling back. Scaling is planned, with periodontal treatment added if it's needed.
See related treatmentsI'd like a check-up for my child
This covers the first examination, decay in baby teeth, fissure sealants and fluoride application. Children's appointments are paced so nothing feels frightening.
See related treatments
Treatments
What we treat at the clinic
Every treatment begins with an examination, radiographic assessment and a conversation about the alternatives. Each page below sets out the procedure, how long it takes and what to watch for afterwards.
Implants & Oral SurgeryDental Implant Treatment
A titanium screw fixed into the jawbone in place of a missing tooth root, topped with a crown, bridge or denture to restore chewing function.
60 minutesDetails
Cosmetic DentistryZirconia Crowns
Metal-free crowns built on a zirconia core that transmit light much like a natural tooth, used to restore teeth with significant loss of structure.
60 minutesDetails
Cosmetic DentistryPorcelain Veneers
Thin porcelain shells bonded to the visible face of the front teeth to correct colour, shape and small gaps.
75 minutesDetails
General DentistryRoot Canal Treatment
Removing infected nerve tissue from inside the tooth and sealing the canal so the tooth can be kept instead of extracted.
60 minutesDetails
Cosmetic DentistryTeeth Whitening
In-clinic and take-home whitening carried out under dental supervision, without removing or harming enamel.
45 minutesDetails
OrthodonticsClear Aligner Treatment
Orthodontic tooth movement achieved with a series of custom-made clear aligners, without any brackets.
45 minutesDetails
Oral care
The brushing game: 32 teeth in 40 seconds
Move the brush over the teeth and clear the plaque off all of them before time runs out. The back teeth carry thicker plaque — exactly as they do in real life.
Twice daily, two minutes each time
Cut brushing short and some tooth surfaces never get reached. Two minutes is the minimum time needed to work around to every surface.
Don't skip the spaces between teeth
A toothbrush reaches only about two thirds of the tooth surface. The remaining gaps need floss or an interdental brush — that's exactly where most decay starts.
It's the angle that matters, not the force
Pressing hard damages enamel and gums. Hold the brush at roughly a 45-degree angle to the gum line and move it in small circular motions.
A check-up twice a year
Decay caught early is finished in a single visit; left unattended, it can progress to needing root canal treatment. A check-up is always shorter and easier than the treatment that follows neglect.
The game is for fun and does not replace an examination or treatment. Real brushing is twice a day, two minutes each time.
Book a check-upDigital dentistry
We measure rather than estimate
A digital workflow is not a showcase. It narrows the margin for error, shortens treatment and lets us show you what will be done before it is done.
- 1Panoramic radiography, done digitally
- 2A scan instead of an impression
- 3Seeing the new smile on screen together
- 4Guided implant placement
Radiographic imaging is performed only when clinically necessary and at the lowest reasonably achievable dose.
- 1
Panoramic radiography, done digitally
Both jaws are imaged with a low radiation dose; decay, impacted teeth and bone level are all assessed together in a single image.
- 2
A scan instead of an impression
Digital scanning replaces traditional impression putty. It's more comfortable for patients with a pronounced gag reflex and gives the laboratory data accurate to the micron.
- 3
Seeing the new smile on screen together
For aesthetic treatments, the proposed tooth length and shape are reviewed together on screen before any work begins.
- 4
Guided implant placement
Implant angle and depth are worked out in advance from tomography data, so placement follows that plan during the procedure.
The process
Your treatment in four steps
- 01
First we listen, then we look
We hear your concern, examine the mouth, and where needed take radiographs to build a clear picture of where things stand.
- 02
We talk through the options together
Treatment options, how long each takes and its pros and cons are explained; the final decision is made together.
- 03
On treatment days
Appointments are scheduled to suit you; pain control and comfort remain the priority throughout the procedure.
- 04
We stay with you after treatment
Once treatment is complete, a follow-up appointment and an oral care routine tailored to you are worked out together.
Patient safety
Sterilisation: unseen, and the most important work we do
Every instrument used in the clinic follows a traceable route. We describe that chain here, because it is what a patient should know without having to ask.
- 1
First step: disinfection
As soon as instruments leave the treatment room, they go straight into a disinfectant solution.
- 2
Second step: ultrasonic cleaning
Residue too small to see is removed mechanically in an ultrasonic bath.
- 3
Third step: pouching and sterilisation
Each instrument is individually pouched and sterilised in a 134 °C steam autoclave.
- 4
Final step: checking the indicator
Each pouch's sterilisation indicator is checked before use, and the pouch is opened in front of you.
Our dentists
Know who is treating you
Two dentists work at the clinic and each carries out treatment personally. Knowing who does what beforehand is the shortest route to a relaxed first appointment.
Dentist — FounderDt. Şahabettin Tuna
A graduate of Marmara University's Faculty of Dentistry, he regularly attends training in implantology and aesthetic restorative dentistry both in Türkiye and abroad, and begins every treatment with digital planning and a preventive mindset.
Details
Paediatric DentistUzm. Dt. Duygu Tuna
Graduated from Marmara University's Faculty of Dentistry and completed her specialty in paediatric dentistry. Alongside treating decay in baby teeth and preventive care, she focuses on helping children feel at ease with the dental chair rather than afraid of it.
Details
The clinic
View allInside our clinic
Our clinic in Caddebostan has a dedicated sterilisation unit, digital imaging equipment and separate treatment rooms.
Frequently asked
See all questionsQuestions you may have
If something else is on your mind, just write to us.
How long is the first visit and what does it involve?
A first visit usually runs 30 to 40 minutes. We start by listening to your concern, then examine the mouth and, if needed, take a panoramic X-ray. Together we go over the findings, your treatment options and roughly how long each would take. Provided there's no acute pain, starting treatment on the same day isn't required — you're free to take your time reviewing the plan before deciding.
Is treatment likely to hurt?
We work under local anaesthetic so that you don't feel any pain. A numbing gel is applied to the area before the injection, and the injection itself is given gently and slowly. Before starting, we confirm the numbness has taken effect and add more if needed. If anything feels uncomfortable partway through, just raise a hand and we'll pause immediately.
Is it safe to have dental work done during pregnancy?
Yes. Leaving a dental infection untreated is riskier than treating it. The most comfortable time is the second trimester (weeks 14–27), while emergencies are dealt with at any stage of pregnancy. X-rays are taken only when truly necessary and always with a lead apron. Please let us know before your appointment that you're pregnant, how far along you are, and any medication you're taking.
I'm on blood thinners — can I still have a tooth pulled?
In most cases yes — but never stop your medication on your own. Discontinuing an anticoagulant can lead to consequences far more serious than the risk of bleeding. Bring the name and dose of your medication, plus your latest INR reading if you have one, to the appointment; where necessary we'll liaise with your physician and plan the procedure accordingly.
Do dental X-rays pose a health risk?
The radiation dose from digital dental films is extremely low — a single panoramic image is roughly in line with the natural background radiation you'd absorb during a few hours of flying. Even so, we only take an X-ray when it's clinically justified, and always at the lowest dose that will do the job. That principle is followed even more carefully during pregnancy, with children, and in cases that would otherwise call for frequent imaging.
How often do I need a dental check-up?
For an adult with no complaints, a check-up every six months is generally enough. If you have a history of gum disease, smoke, are prone to decay, or are wearing braces, aligners or implants, that interval can drop to as little as three months. A check-up isn't about waiting until something hurts — it's about spotting problems while they're still minor.
Knowledge base
View allFrom the dentist's desk
Current writing on treatments, oral care and common misconceptions.
Oral Care
Examination first, decisions after
Book an appointment: we will assess where things stand and talk through the options and how long each takes.
0 533 400 88 62Your request is confirmed the same day.
Where to start
Tell us the problem, we'll point to the treatment
You do not need to know which treatment you need. Pick whichever line below sounds closest to your situation — the relevant treatments and what to expect are explained there.
- WhatsApp → Appointment
- Phone → Plan
- Check-up → Reminder
WhatsApp → AppointmentLive
Any openings tomorrow afternoon?
15:30 is free tomorrow. Shall we hold it for you?
Yes, please.
Request receivedSuitable time foundAppointment created
An illustration of the booking flow; it contains no real patient correspondence.