Preventative Dentistry for Children

Dental examinations

As soon as a child’s first tooth erupts, usually between 6 months and 12 months of age, it’s the perfect time for parents to bring their child to see a dentist. Even at such a young age, children’s teeth are susceptible to decay, so oral health should be taken very seriously.

Whilst tooth decay can be treated, we strongly believe that preventative dentistry should be an integral part of a child’s lifestyle in order to protect their oral and overall health, and to prevent the need for emergency appointments and restorative treaments.

Bringing children for regular dental check-ups from an early age has many benefits. As well as helping kids get used to the experience of visiting a dentist and the dental practice environment, regular check-ups also help to prevent small problems from becoming big problems.

Fluoride Varnish

Our mouth contains bacteria that feeds on the sugars in the foods we eat and the beverages we drink. This produces acid that can wear away the hard, outer shell of your tooth (enamel). This can lead to cavities. Fluoride protects teeth by making your teeth stronger and more resistant to acid, not only reducing the risk of cavities but even helping to reverse the early signs of decay.

Unfortunately, some children are more susceptible to cavities than others - genetics and salivary flow (how much saliva your child’s mouth is producing in a day) play a big role in this. In cases where, despite all parents’ and carers’ efforts, a child still has decay, fluoride varnish is applied by the dental care professional directly to the tooth surface to prevent cavities.

This is a simple solution that can slow and prevent tooth decay in children. Fluoride varnish leads to heavy remineralisation of the enamel surface, and subsequent acid attacks will allow fluoride ions to penetrate more deeply into the tooth structure. Varnishes like Duraphat®are useful because they stay on the tooth surface for some hours, allowing slow release of the fluoride ion.

Fissure Sealant

The application of fissure sealants is quick and painless.

Dental decay is most likely to develop on your child's molars when they first erupt at the age of 6. At this age, the top (or chewing surface) of these teeth is not fully mineralised, and therefore more susceptible to decay. At the same time, the anatomy of the chewing surface contains numerous grooves and deep pits, known as fissures. These fissures are usually so narrow that toothbrush bristles are unable to clean them properly. This allows bacteria to flourish and decay to form. By applying a fissure sealant, we make the surface of the tooth smooth – which leaves decay with nowhere to develop. Fissure sealed teeth are 80% less likely to get caries.

Life expectancy nowadays is approximately 80-90 years. So, if your child’s first adult teeth erupt at 6 years of age, they will have to keep them healthy for the next 80 years or so! We believe that this makes treating their teeth at a young age a worthwhile investment.

Getting into Good Habits

• It is critical we teach our children good oral health habits from an early age. Worryingly, 40% of children develop cavities by the time they start school due to poor oral hygiene and the consumption of sugary snacks and drinks.
• Everyone’s mouth contains multiple species of bacteria.
• When we consume sugar, these bacteria produce acid on our teeth. Over time, this acid wears away at our enamel and leads to tooth decay.
• Brushing, flossing, and limiting our sugar intake are all important techniques for keeping this bacteria in check. However, even if we do all of these things correctly and regularly, there will still be fissures in our teeth where bacteria can hide.
• The depth of the fissure is genetically predisposed and not something you can change.
• Since these can be difficult to reach with a toothbrush, we need the help of sealants to add an extra layer of protection!

Custom Made Mouthguards for sports

Mouthguards are custom-made rubber coverings, worn over your child’s teeth to protect them from damage in contact sporting activities.

Sports such as football, cricket or hockey can lead to serious damage to your child’s teeth, including broken and lost tee. Other contact sports such as rugby, American football or boxing, can also lead to damaged, broken or dislocated teeth or jaws.