Following UK guidance, here are some tips for caring for your child’s teeth:
- Start early. Begin brushing your child’s teeth as soon as their first tooth appears, which is usually around 6 months old.
- Use fluoride toothpaste. Use a toothpaste that contains at least 1,000 parts per million (ppm) of fluoride. You can find this information on the packaging. For children under 3, use a smear of toothpaste, and for children aged 3 to 6, use a pea-sized amount.
- Brush twice a day. Brush your child’s teeth for about 2 minutes, twice a day, including once just before bed. Brushing before bed allows the fluoride to continue working while your child sleeps.
- Brush in circles. Brush your child’s teeth in circles, making sure to cover the whole of each tooth.
- Spit, don’t rinse. After brushing, have your child spit, not rinse, to avoid washing away the fluoride.
- Limit bottle use. Once your child has their first tooth, encourage them to drink from an open-top or free-flowing cup so they don’t continue using a bottle past their first birthday.
- Avoid sugary foods and drinks. Sugary foods and drinks can cause teeth to decay. For babies, don’t add sugar to their drinks or foods when you introduce them to solids.
- See the dentist regularly. Take your child to the dentist at least twice a year, and ideally no more than 12 months apart. You can also supervise your child’s tooth brushing until they are at least 7 years old.
Help your child maintain a happier, healthier smile by joining our children’s dental health membership!
Our children’s membership plan encourages regular attendance, enabling us to spot problems before they arise and results in helping your child maintain healthy teeth and gums for life.
The 4 big benefits of joining the children’s plan.
- Reduces the risk of tooth decay and gum disease with regular attendance.
- More than a 50% discount on core dental treatments for our young members only.
- Spreads the cost of their routine dental care through a convenient monthly direct debit.
- Better value compared to private pay-as-you-go fees.
What’s included in your child’s membership and what is the cost?
- Children aged 0-5 are free if a parent is a patient of the practice.
- Children aged 6-12 are £6.00 per month, including 2 exams, fluoride application, x-rays and over 50% discount of treatment costs.
- Teens aged 13-17 are £8.00 per month, including 2 exams, 1 hygiene visit, fluoride application, x-rays and 50% discount off treatment costs.
Dental examinations provide:
- Thorough examination of their current dental health to catch developing problems early.
- X-rays, where clinically necessary, for an internal examination of their teeth.
Hygiene appointments provide:
- Professional removal of harmful hard plaque on areas that can’t be reached by normal tooth brushing.
- Advice and techniques – we work with your child to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
- Fresher breath and a brighter smile for improved self-esteem.
We believe this results in the complete package to maintain your child’s oral health.
