Caring For Your Children’s Teeth

Our Burton family dentist discusses the importance of early dental care

As adults, we are generally able to take responsibility for our own oral health. If we ignore basic cleaning and regular dental appointments, then we really only have ourselves to blame if we wake up in the middle of the night with severe toothache.

Children though, do not have this awareness, and, as parents, it is our responsibility to encourage good cleaning habits and generally encourage them to take good care of their teeth.

With an estimated 160 children having to have rotting teeth removed in hospital each day (1), we are sure that patients of Mike Allen’s Dental Practice who are also parents, would not wish to see their children in that situation.

Start them young

Generally speaking, we advise patients to visit our Burton family dentist from around one year of age. Although it is highly unlikely that they will have any problems at this time, early exposure to a dental environment has been shown to reduce the likelihood of dental phobia as they grow older.  Getting them accustomed to regular visits is a good way to ensure that any problems that do arise, can be treated in as non invasive a manner as possible.

Naturally, as parents, you also have the responsibility to ensure that they clean their teeth well at home. This is not always easy, as any parent will tell you, and children sometimes seem keener to eat the toothpaste than to brush their teeth! Persistence though, and supervising their brushing will soon get them into a habit that will help to protect their teeth and gums and hopefully will soon become something that they do without a second thought.

Hygienist

Finally, can we suggest that you bring your children to see our dental hygienist too. This is an excellent way to help them avoid gum disease and other dental problems. There are a number of benefits to seeing the hygienist for young children. Not only will they give their teeth a professional clean, removing any hardened bacteria that may lead to gum disease, but they also perform an important educational role.

As many parents will know, our children often pay more attention to what their teachers at school tell them than they do to us after a certain age. The same often applies with any person perceived as having a similar role. The hygienists at Mike Allen’s Dental Practice are experienced in dealing with children and can explain in appropriate terms, the importance of having healthy teeth and gums, and how to keep them clean. Many parents have reported an improvement in their child’s teeth cleaning habits following these visits.

Of course, looking after our children’s teeth does not mean neglecting our own, and, as well as providing general dental care for the whole family, we also offer a wide range of cosmetic dental treatments for mums and dads who not only want healthy teeth, but also the best looking teeth that they can have.

For more information about children’s or cosmetic dentistry, please call our Burton practice on 01283 845345.

1.    http://www.webmd.boots.com/oral-health/news/20170111/160-children-a-day-having-teeth-out-in-hospital