Looking after your child’s teeth
Step one: Visiting the Dentist
Bring your child with you when you visit Smile Essential for a dental check up. This will help him or her get used to the surroundings at the practice, and also get to know the dentists. There is no need for a young child to be examined or sit in the dental chair at first, but our welcoming and considerate dentists will decide when the time is right. The most important thing is that we can build a great and relaxed relationship with yourself and also the child.
There is no need to ‘prepare’ your child for a visit to Smile Essential. It should be a casual visit, just like going to the shops.
Step two: Tooth Brushing
As soon as your baby has tooth, brush it gently with a soft baby brush and smear of toothpaste made for children. Try to do this twice a day. Our dentists will give you advice on the different brands available – this is important if you live in an area where fluoride is present in the water.
Your child will soon try brushing, and this should be encouraged even though they might chew the brush a little at first. It is necessary for an adult to assist tooth brushing for at least the first 6 years in a child’s life.
You will find it easier to assist if the child sits or stands facing away from you, or resting their head against you. Use one hand for the brush and the other to part the lips.
Step Three: Taking care with your child’s diet
It is important that children develop good eating habits. This will do more to protect their general health as well as dental health in later life. A poor diet can affect the teeth in two ways, it can increase dental decay and it can lead to erosion (dissolving away) of the tooth surface. Whilst it is a fact that some children are difficult or ‘faddy’ eaters a few general rules will help.
Dental decay forms when acids are produced in plaque on the teeth. In order to reduce decay the teeth should be brushed thoroughly to remove plaque; food and drink that produces acid should be restricted to mealtimes as far as possible. If acidic fruit or fruit drinks have been consumed do not brush the teeth straight away, leave it for an hour or so. It is best to avoid eating and drinking for one hour before going to bed.
If you have any questions about your child’s dental care. Please get in touch
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