Family Dentistry
Children’s Dental Health
Tooth decay is the most common oral disease affecting children and young people in England, yet it is largely preventable. Although oral health is improving in England, recent oral health surveys of 5 year olds showed that just under a quarter have tooth decay.
- It is very important to bring your child to the dentist as soon as their first baby teeth begin to come through (usually 6 months old).
- The first few visits to the dentist for a young child can be overwhelming however we will work to build trust as well as being able to give useful preventative advice to you as the parent so that we can get your child off to the best possible start with their oral health.
- As your child grows older with us, we can begin looking at Orthodontic examinations and screenings if necessary, but this usually occurs from 11 years onwards.
- If your child is struggling with maintaining the best oral hygiene possible, it may well be worth paying a visit to our highly trained hygienist team.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I best care for my children’s teeth at home?
There are a number of tips to follow to help give your chid the best oral health:
- Start brushing as soon as the first milk tooth appears (usually 6 months old).
- Brush or supervise brushing twice a day for at least two minutes using a fluoride toothpaste (1000ppm 0-6, 1500ppm 6+).
- Avoid/limit sugary snacks between meals.
Pregnancy Dental Health
When you go to the dentist, make sure they know you’re pregnant. Discuss with your dentist whether any new or replacement fillings should be delayed until after your baby is born. The Department of Health advises that amalgam fillings shouldn’t be removed during pregnancy.
- Hormonal changes during pregnancy can make your gums more vulnerable to plaque, leading to inflammation and bleeding. This is also called pregnancy gingivitis or gum disease. Some women get swollen and sore gums, which may bleed in pregnancy. Bleeding gums are caused by a build-up of plaque on the teeth.
- Severe cases of gum disease during pregnancy has been linked to a higher blood pressure. If this blood pressure is left unchecked there is the risk of suffering from pre-eclampsia. This condition begins around the 20-week mark and can be very serious in nature.
- Pregnancy hygiene will help to remove all plaque and tartar, thereby reducing the risk of gum disease and in turn any chance of increased risk to both mother and baby.
- Maintaining excellent oral hygiene is always important but never more so than while pregnant.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I best look after my teeth and gums during pregnancy?
A few tips to help maintain a healthy mouth during pregnancy:
- Brush twice a day for at least two minutes using a fluoride toothpaste.
- If you are suffering from morning sickness rinse your mouth out with plain water to prevent stomach acid from damaging your teeth. Do not brush your teeth straight after brushing, wait at least an hour otherwise you may damage teeth by brushing acid into your tooth structure.
- Avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol.
- Snack on vegetables, avoid sugary or acidic foods.
