Looking after children’s teeth is vitally important. Many studies have shown that getting a child used to visiting the dentist from an early age not only helps to prevent childhood tooth decay, but also increases the chances of your child having healthy teeth for life. Early visits to the dental practice help to make it an everyday, positive experience and let youngsters get to know the dentist as a friendly face.
Although rates of childhood tooth decay are starting to fall, the UK still has a very high proportion of children who suffer from caries (decayed teeth). Diets rich in sugar – including natural sugars found in healthier options such as fruit juice or honey – can lead to tooth decay, as can a poor brushing routine and failure to visit the dentist. Like adults, some children are also just more prone to decay, which makes visiting the dentist even more important.
The team at Wimbledon Dental Care are passionate about preventative dentistry – stopping problems before they start, whenever possible. We recommend you bring your children in to see us as soon as they get their first tooth. By visiting from a young age they get used to opening their mouth to let the dentist look inside, and it may even help for them to watch Mum, Dad or an older sibling having their teeth examined then copying what they saw.
As well as regular examinations to spot caries early, your dentist may also recommend the application of fluoride varnish or fissure sealant, both of which help to prevent decay. Fissure sealant is a tooth-coloured coating applied to the back teeth to help prevent food particles or bacteria getting trapped in tooth ridges, while fluoride varnish is painted on to all the teeth to strengthen the enamel.
Early intervention also helps to spot orthodontic problems such as overbites or crossbites sooner rather than later, making treatment easier.