As dental professionals, we believe in preventative dental care and encourage our patients to bring their children to the practice from an early age. Regular check-ups from a young age will ensure children won’t suffer from untreated dental decay with devastating effects to their growing dentition. There are a number of preventative treatments that our team can provide for children.
Fluoride applications are a safe and effective way to safeguard your growing child’s teeth from developing decay. The fluoride is painted onto the surface of the child’s teeth and this helps to mineralise the teeth. Fissure sealants are tooth coloured and applied to biting surfaces of children’s teeth to prevent decay.
Studies have shown that the younger the age that you bring your child to the dental practice, even if just for a check-up, the more likely they are to have a positive experience and grow up not to be afraid of the dentist. Our team will take special care of your child to make them feel safe and cared for.
Treating a child from an early age also allows the dentist to spot early signs of underbites, cross bites or overbites developing. As with most things, the sooner you can start to treat it, the quicker it can be resolved.
Prevention is always better than cure so call the practice today to make an appointment for your child.
Why is a regular dental check-up so important for children?
Did you know?…
- A child’s first adult molars come through at around the age of six. These teeth can be fissure sealed to help protect them from decay.
- At each check-up we will provide help and advice with diet and brushing.
- The earlier any decay can be detected, the easier it is to treat.
- We will check the position of new teeth emerging and give advice on whether Orthodontic treatment (braces) might be necessary.
- Regular examinations at a young age reduces the fear factor for children.
Further helpful, interesting information about dental care, games and fun facts for children can be found on the following websites:
Aquafresh website at www.aquafresh.co.uk
Colgate Kids website at www.colgate.com and
Oral-B website at www.oralb.com
Some helpful advice
Diet and your teeth
What causes tooth decay?
The most important cause of tooth decay is sugar in the diet. Every time sugar is put in the mouth, bacteria in plaque attack the tooth surface by producing acid, which starts to dissolve the tooth. Every attack lasts for around 20 minutes until your saliva neutralizes the acid. Someone with poor oral hygiene would be at more risk of having tooth decay because of the plaque and food deposits on their teeth.
Where is sugar found?
Sugar is not only found in biscuits, sweets, and cakes, it is found in a whole variety of food including some crisps, tomato ketchup, baked beans, tinned sweet corn, tinned soups, soft drinks, fizzy drinks and fruit juice (which not only contain a high sugar content but are very erosive to the teeth). Some foods, such as fruit, contain natural sugars. There is also a high sugar content found in syrup-based medicines.
But I Don’t Eat Sweets.
Does your diet have a high sugar content?
Always check the labels, the nearer the ingredient is to the beginning of the list the greater the proportion in the food. Sometimes manufacturers use words such as ‘sucrose’, ‘glucose’, ‘fructose’ and ‘invert sugar’. All of these words are used to describe sugar and can all damage your teeth.
How to reduce the risk of tooth decay
- Cut out or cut down the sugar content in your diet. Try to buy sugar-free, low sugar or diet products.
- Limit your sugar intake to meal times only. It is a fact that the more frequently you have sugar, the more increased your risk of tooth decay is.
- For low sugar snacks during the day try: – fresh fruit, crispy vegetables, natural yoghurt with added fruit, sugar-free crisps, savoury sandwiches, cheese, pizza slices and hard-boiled eggs.
- Buy sugar-free medicines for children.
- Chew sugar-free gum.
- Have sweeteners in tea or coffee instead of sugar.
- Buy sugar-free mints instead of boiled sweets.
- Drink milk, water or sugar-free squash instead of fizzy drinks and fruit juice.
- Buy sugar-free ice pops or make your own ice-lollies with sugar-free squash.
Good tooth brushing
Brushing our teeth is the first step to keeping them clean and preventing decay and gum problems. Always choose a nylon toothbrush which is small enough to reach the very back teeth. Your dentist or hygienist will advise whether to choose a soft or a medium textured bristle. Make sure that you change your brush every six to eight weeks and never use a hard bristled brush as this may damage your gums and teeth. When cleaning your teeth use a dry toothbrush as its effectiveness is reduced if it is wet. Brush every morning and evening using the technique in the pictures.
