When it comes to your kids, their well being is so important. You care for every part of them, from head to toe, and that should include their teeth too. It's important to show children how to care for their teeth from a young age, in order to keep their teeth in tip top condition and to instil good dental hygiene habits.
Government statistics state that a quarter of five year olds suffer from tooth decay and that the majority of tooth decay is in under 6 year-olds. This is one of the many reasons that we encourage parents to bring their children along to the surgery for a visit. Our goal is to make children's dental care a calm and relaxing experience and we want every child to leave with a smile on their face - we even have a treasure chest of healthy treats to reward them with!
As for home care, there's also lots that you can do to create a healthy dental care routine. Here are our top tips for children's dental hygiene.
Brush regularly
Just like adults, it’s important for kids to brush their teeth regularly - or for you to lend a helping hand until they are a little older! It is recommended that you start brushing your child’s teeth as soon as the first tooth appears, usually at around 6 months of age.
Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, and parents should help their child to brush their teeth until at least seven years of age, just in case they miss a little bit!
Wondering how much toothpaste to use? For children under the age of 3, use just a smear of toothpaste on the brush; whilst children aged 3-6 years of age should use a pea-sized amount. Always ensure that kids spit out their toothpaste rather than swallowing.
Avoid sugary food and drinks
When it comes to keeping your little one’s teeth healthy, it is important to avoid or reduce the amount of sugary foods and drinks they consume on a regular basis. Sugar in foods and drinks is the major cause of tooth decay in young children. Each time we eat sugary foods or drinks, the bacteria in dental plaque produce acid that softens the teeth. If we eat or drink sugary foods frequently throughout the day we have more ‘acid attacks’, which can lead to tooth decay.
Aim to only give sweet foods, including dried fruits, at mealtimes, and limit the amount of fruit juice or smoothies your child drinks to a maximum of 150ml per day. Squashes with added sugar, fizzy drinks, soft drinks and fruit juice should have no regular place in a child’s diet.
Visit the dentist
As we have mentioned, we are keen to meet your children from a very young age so that they can get to know the members of our team and this helps to encourage a relaxing and stress-free atmosphere. We encourage children to visit their dentist and dental hygienist from when their first tooth erupts, at around 6 months of age, if not before,and then every 4 months after that.
Making your first appointment? Call 02890 300 777 to arrange a visit - we can’t wait to meet your mini-me!
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