Helping your child feel at ease during a dental appointment and in the practice itself is important for their future oral health. Regular appointments show them there is nothing to be worried about and help us form the foundations of a good brushing routine and healthy lifestyle.
We recommend that you start bringing your child with you to your dental check-ups from around six months of age. Even if they have no teeth at this stage, we can begin to familiarise them with the dental environment and give you tips and advice for effective tooth care.
In most cases, we carry out your child’s check-up at the same time as your own. It helps if they can see you confident and relaxed in the dental chair! We invite them to sit in the chair and ask older children about their teeth and if anything is hurting.
We examine your child’s teeth, tailoring our care depending on their age. For very young children, we simply take a look inside their mouths to check everything is developing properly. As your child gets older, we use small instruments to take a closer look at their teeth and oral health.
To finish, we explain anything we’ve found and let you know if any further treatment is required. We also give you and your child some tips to help you keep their teeth and gums healthy at home.
You should start dental care as soon as the first teeth appear by gently wiping the teeth and gums with a clean flannel. As more teeth emerge, you can transition to using a soft baby toothbrush with a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste.
It is generally recommended that children have a check-up every six months to monitor the development of their teeth and jaws. Regular visits help children feel comfortable in the dental chair and allow us to spot any potential issues early.
We recommend talking positively about the dentist and reading books or watching videos about dental visits beforehand. Our team is specially trained to work with children, using gentle language and a calm pace to make the experience stress-free.
Fissure sealants are clear plastic coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of the back permanent teeth, usually around age six or seven. They act as a protective barrier by filling in narrow grooves, stopping bacteria from entering and preventing decay.
Children should brush for at least two minutes, twice a day, ensuring the final brush is right before bedtime. To make this more engaging, try using a child-friendly timer or a fun two-minute song to keep them motivated.
The most frequent issues we see are deep pits in the back teeth, known as fissures, which can easily trap bacteria and lead to decay. We can protect teeth from decay by using quick and comfortable fissure sealants, which are applied to the chewing surfaces and stop bacteria from entering. Regular check-ups allow us to track your child’s dental development and refer them for orthodontic care at the ideal time to improve both function and appearance.
