Children’s Dentistry
We were one of the first practices to sign up to the hugely successful Childsmile project which aims to provide a child-centered approach to dentistry with prevention of decay (and ultimately pain and infection!) being at the heart of the programme. Since it was rolled out across Scotland in 2011 the dental health of children across all regions in Scotland has never been better with over 60% of children in Primary 7 showing no signs of dental decay.
We recommend you start bringing your baby with you for check ups from as early as possible to get him/her used to the sights, sounds and smells of the dental practice, allowing them to learn there is nothing to be anxious about and hopefully reducing the risk of dental anxiety and fear developing.
As an established family dental practice, our dentists here at the Bridge of Earn Dental Practice put great care and attention into our child dentist services.
We offer gentle, comfortable, stress-free dental appointments for children as young as 6 months, all the way up to teens and young adults. Our children’s dental services are provided through the NHS, so are completely free.
Contact us today to register your child and take advantage of the fantastic child dentists we have here at the Bridge of Earn Dental Practice.
When should children start going to the dentist?
There is no exact age that your child should start attending regular dental appointments, however, we find that the earlier the better.
Bringing your baby with you for dental check-ups will help them get used to the sights, sounds and smells of the dental practice. Early dental appointments also help teach children that there is nothing to be scared or anxious about when visiting the dentist, which in turn will reduce the risk of dental anxiety and fear developing later in life.
With this in mind, we recommend bringing your child into the practice on a regular basis from the age of six months, if you feel comfortable doing so. Together with our amazing child dentists, we can teach your children healthy dental habits which will help ensure a lifetime of good oral health.
What is involved in children’s dental appointments?
At a child dental appointment our professional, friendly child dentists will work to install good dental habits into your child’s routine from a young age.
We will help familiarise them with common dental practices and will give advice to both the parent and the child on how to look after teeth and maintain good oral health. The ultimate aim of child dentist services is to create young, happy mouths that stay smiling throughout life.
Some common practices and procedures you can expect from our child dentists, include:
Toothbrushing instruction
Children’s teeth are particularly sensitive and therefore require careful and considerate brushing. Our toothbrushing advice for babies and children covers important points, such as:
- Brush for two minutes twice a day using a toothpaste containing 1000ppm fluoride (1450 for >7 years old)
- 0-2 years use a smear of toothpaste, 3+ use a pea sized amount
- Spit -don’t rise with water after brushing
- Have nothing to eat or drink after brushing at bedtime (water during the night is safe)
- Help your child brush their teeth until they are at least 7- preferably until they can tie their shoelaces, after this time, check toothbrushing regularly
- Try disclosing tablets to show where the plaque is, then clean it off!
Diet Advice
We offer helpful diet advice for your child which will include:
- Healthy weaning advice
- Aim for no more than 4 sugar hits per day, a sugar hit can include drinks between meals (this usually means breakfast, lunch, dinner plus one snack and/or drink that contains sugar)
- Between meals only drink Milk (unsweetened) or Water (no diluting juice)
- Safe snacks include fruit (the sugar in fruit does not cause dental decay, however it can cause erosion of the teeth) vegetables, breadsticks, a small piece of cheese
- Do not have anything to eat or drink (except water) after brushing your teeth at bedtime
Register your child with a Childsmile Nurse
If you want to set your child on the best-possible path for healthy teeth and gums then getting them to attend regular child dental appointments is an excellent start.
By getting them to a dental practice whilst still young, they will be more likely to keep up with appointments as they grow into a teenager and then into an adult. Many adults get out of the habit of attending dental appointments which often leads to serious issues further down the line.
By creating the positive habit of going to the dentist at such a young age, your children will be much more likely to pay more attention to their teeth and have healthier smiles as an adult.
For more information please visit the www.childsmile.org.uk website where information for parents and carers is available.
