Patient Care for Children

Little People are Special People - and so are their Parents

We particularly enjoy seeing children for regular visits and take a pride in helping them to keep their mouths healthy. Parents' habits and attitudes are quickly absorbed by their young children and parents with healthy mouths are likely to rear children with healthy mouths too. A play area in the waiting room is provided to make it easy and fun for you to bring your children when you come for your own check ups.

When Should We Start

It is never too early! Prevention is the word from the start. Even ante-natal advice is helpful to first time parents to set them on the right track. We are always pleased for you to bring babies and toddlers when you visit us. It gives an opportunity for them to get to know us. Sometimes they will enjoy a "ride" in the chair or have a peep in one of our dental mirrors. It can provide you with a chance to seek advice or tips on any questions you have regarding diet or cleaning.

By the time a child is 3 years old, we hope to be having a quick peep in their mouth to "count the teeth". This gives us an opportunity to make sure everything is healthy and developing normally. From this time on we monitor the child's development and health in a similar - though simplified - manner to grown-ups.

School Children

As children get older they too suffer from other pressures in life, things they want to do, friends they want to see, TV, games, etc. so that, just like adults, they may need tactful encouragement to continue to look after their mouth and teeth. Special children's toothbrushes and pastes are available. Mum & Dad's example, and the habits instilled in those first years are very important. Sometimes added interest in mouth care can be stimulated by using attractively made children's electric toothbrushes. Control of sugar in the diet ("no more than 3 times a day") remains the rule to prevent decay and good cleaning remains the rule to keep the gums healthy.

Gum Shields

Of course accidents will happen, but we strongly advise the use of a professionally constructed gum shield during any contact sports. Rugby, hockey, and cricket in particular can cause serious dental injuries and there is a case for using a mouthguard for any active sports with a ball or racket.

Fillings

If prevention has been successful, then our children will reach adulthood without ever needing a filling. If a cavity should develop, then with regular checkups we would expect to catch it early. We try to keep fillings much smaller than in the past ("micro-cutting") so there is less damage to the tooth and the procedure is easier for the patient too. The use of modern adhesive filling materials helps us in this.

However, if a filling is required, it means that attention needs to be given to the diet. It may be helpful to find out the cause of the problem by completing a "diet sheet" for a few days and then discussing it with the dentist or hygienist.