Children’s oral health

children dental check up hull

Visiting the dentist 

From as soon as their first teeth appear, your child can begin visiting the dentist. This will help your child get used to the dental environment. Until then, you can play Dentists at home with your children, letting them have a look inside your mouth or counting their teddies teeth. This will get your child familiar with what to expect when they come to see us.

When you bring your child to the dentist, they will be invited to sit into the dental chair, either alone or sit on a parent’s knee if that makes them feel better. They then go for a ‘ride’, where the clinician will move the chair to lay them back. We try to make coming to the dentist fun for your child.

The dentist will engage with your child by telling them what they are looking for, counting their teeth, and finally providing any advice required on oral hygiene or dental decay for example.

Your child may want to bring a favourite teddy or a toy to their appointment too, this not only can help a child relax but we can also check teddies teeth by showing your child what we look for with the mirror, or they can have a go themselves.

We recommend bringing your child every 6 months for a check up.

Toothbrushing for children  

The dentist will discuss toothbrushing with your child and offer some advice, tips may include;

  • Brush your child’s teeth twice a day; morning, and night-time before bed
  • Use a smear (under 3years old) or a pea sized amount (3years old and above) of toothpaste
  • Try to ensure all teeth are brushed, along the gums both inside and outside
  • If the child is able, get them to spit the excess toothpaste out into the sink. If they have swallowed it don’t worry, just encourage them to practice spilling
  • Do not let your child rinse with anything (water, or mouthwash included) after brushing as this will rinse the toothpaste they’ve just brushed onto their teeth off
  • Always encourage your child to have a go at brushing their own teeth, but until they can do this effectively it is important that a parent/guardian brushes their teeth as well

Fluoride for children 

Fluoride is found within your child’s toothpaste, if in doubt, it should say on the back, and be between  1350ppm – 1500ppm.

For children over the age of 3, fluoride varnish will also be applied by the dentists/dental therapists at their check up appointment. It is recommended that, alongside brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and a good varied low sugar diet, that fluoride varnish applied to children’s teeth twice a year can significantly reduce their chances of getting tooth decay. Some children may need it more regularly, but your dentist will advise how often it is required for your child.

Fluoride Varnish is a high concentration of fluoride, in a jelly format which is painted onto your child’s teeth. We recommend no eating or drinking for at least 30 minutes after its application. It feels sticky to begin with then sets on the teeth, but encourage your child not to touch it, it will come off fully when they next brush their teeth.

 

Contact the practice for further advice regarding your children’s oral health and/ or to book an appointment:

Contact – The Parks

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