Children’s Dentistry
Caring for children’s teeth in Watford
Children start to get their milk teeth or baby teeth when they are about 6 months old. You should book an appointment to see the children’s dentist when your child cuts their first tooth. This might seem early but will get your child used to being in a dental surgery and seeing a dentist so that they are not frightened as they get older.
You should also start to care for your child’s teeth as soon as they appear in the gums. Get a soft children’s dental toothbrush and gently help your child to brush the teeth and gums using a pea-sized blob of children’s dental toothpaste containing fluoride.
From this young age, children begin to learn the importance of caring for their teeth and you can help them avoid the build-up of plaque on teeth which can cause tooth decay and gum disease.
By the age of 3, most children will have all their baby teeth. Milk teeth are important because they hold the place for permanent teeth and help guide them into position. They play an important role in the development of speech and chewing. Encourage your child to brush their own teeth – but supervise them up until the age of about 7. At this age, children begin to lose their baby teeth and will have all their adult teeth by the age of 21.
At Dunstable Dental Practice, we understand how important it is to develop good habits with children’s dentistry. We encourage children from Chandler’s Cross, Moor Park, Rickmansworth, Watford, Bushey, and Hertfordshire to visit the dental practice and build a relationship with us.
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What children’s dental treatments are available in Watford?
Dental check-ups for children
At Dunstable Dental Practice, we encourage visits to the children’s dentist every 6 months. This enables us to keep an eye on how your child’s teeth are growing and ensure that their oral hygiene is the best it can be.
In this way, if any problems occur, we can quickly deal with them before they potentially become more complex.
Visiting the children’s dentist every six months also allows your child to become familiar with the dental practice in Dunstable and to get accustomed to the sights, sounds and smells. This means they are far less likely to be frightened of visiting the dentist as they get older.
Our friendly dental team are welcoming and enjoy helping to make children feel at ease.
Fillings for children
Cavities in children’s teeth need to be treated because they can cause pain, infections, can affect speech and eating and can lead to greater problems with oral care later.
First, the children’s dentist will ensure that your child’s tooth is clean and free from infection. The cavity is then filled using a composite material which helps to shape the tooth and give it protection.
Fissure sealants for children
Fissures are the grooves and pits that are found on teeth, typically found in the back of the mouth where chewing food occurs. Sometimes, toothbrushes cannot clean the fissures effectively allowing bacteria to thrive, resulting in tooth decay.
Fissure sealants are a type of coating that can be painted on to teeth to prevent food and bacteria settling into the grooves on teeth.
The process is completely painless and often used within children’s dentistry. Fissure sealants are an effective way to protect against tooth decay. Your child will need to have their fissure sealants regularly checked and maintained by the children’s dentist every six months to ensure that the seal has not broken or worn away.
Benefits of children’s dentistry in Watford
Patients from Rickmansworth, Moor Park, Bushey, Chandler’s Cross, Watford, and Hertfordshire are choosing children’s dentistry because:
- Regularly seeing and checking on children’s teeth will ensure that teeth remain healthy, and that long-term oral health is optimised
- Seeing the children’s dentist regularly, will ensure your child does not grow up with a fear of vising the dentist as an adult
- By regularly seeing the children’s dentist, you can ensure that any issues are dealt with quickly rather than developing into complicated problems
FAQ's for Children’s Dentistry
Is children’s dentistry covered by the NHS?
Yes, all general dentistry for children under the age of 18 is provided free of charge on the NHS. Cosmetic dental treatments for children are not covered by the NHS.
How can I help look after my child’s teeth?
By ensuring that your child brushes their teeth correctly twice a day using toothpaste that contains fluoride. Children, like adults, should brush for a minimum of two minutes in the morning and again in the evening. Sometimes a timer can help with this. You should take your child to the dentist every six months. Finally, you should restrict the amount of sugar that your child consumes as this can lead to tooth decay. Fizzy drinks are the worst culprit and should be given as an occasional treat rather than regularly.
How can I help prepare my child for a dental appointment?
Try not to mention the dentist in a negative way or as a consequence for eating something bad, instead talk about the dentist positively. Book an appointment for yourself at the same time as your child so that they can see what you go through and that there is nothing to be afraid of. Sometimes, books showing pictures of dentists and dental practices can help children know what to expect.