We provide prevention-focused dental care for our families’ youngest members from the moment their first teeth appear.
Gentle, preventative dental care for children
Our main aims with children are to foster good dental habits early, while monitoring growth and development. We try our best to prevent problems before they start, and provide positive and caring support so that children are comfortable and confident for if they need any dental treatment.
Our approach to children’s dental care
Children’s dentistry isn’t just about checking teeth for cavities to fill. It’s about creating positive experiences, building trust, and teaching children good habits for a lifetime of dental health.
We take time to:
- Make children feel comfortable at the dentist
- Explain things in a way children understand
- Build familiarity, confidence and trust over time
When children should start seeing a dentist
We recommend that children attend the dentist as soon as their very first tooth erupts, and continue to be seen every 3–12 months, depending on their individual needs and risk levels.
Regular visits allow us to:
- Teach and embed good habits to help avoid preventable dental problems
- Identify and sometimes reverse early signs of tooth decay and gum disease
- Identify and gently treat any tooth decay or wear that cannot be reversed
- Monitor tooth eruption and jaw development to help assess for and plan orthodontic treatment (braces) if appropriate
Prevention focused care
Most dental pain and infections are preventable with good habits. Children today have the opportunity to live their whole lives without ever experiencing a toothache or dental drilling and filling. That’s why prevention is at the heart of how we care for children’s teeth.
Our age-appropriate and tailored preventative advice and treatments include:
- Oral hygiene and brushing advice
- Toothbrushing techniques
- Toothbrush choice
- Appropriate toothpaste strength and usage
- When mouthwash may or may not be appropriate
- Diet advice
- Which foods and drinks cause tooth decay and tooth wear
- When it’s safe to have sugary treats
- Which drinks are best for children
- When night time bottle and breast feeding should be phased out
- Advice on the use of dummies and finger/thumb sucking
- Fluoride varnish – strengthen tooth enamel and reduces the risk of decay
- Fissure sealants – can help protect difficult-to-clean deep grooves of back teeth, where decay can often start
Supporting nervous children
Some children feel anxious about dental visits, particularly if they’ve previously had a difficult experience at the dentist or doctors. We try our best to make visiting the dentist a positive experience, especially for our young patients – many of our young patients enjoy and look forward to their dental checkups!
Our experienced and modern approach to help all nervous children includes:
- We don’t tell children off
- Lots of praise, support and encouragement
- Taking the time to build trust gradually
- Explaining procedures in simple, reassuring language
- Never forcing treatment where it isn’t appropriate
You may also find our Nervous & Anxious Patients page helpful.
Working with parents and carers
Children’s dental care is a partnership with parents and carers. We aim to:
- Keep you informed
- Explain findings clearly
- Support you with practical realistic advice
When referral is the right option
In some cases, care with a specialist paediatric dentist may be more appropriate. If this is needed, we’ll explain why and help you understand the next steps.
Book a children’s appointment
If you’re looking for gentle, prevention focused dental care for your child, we’d be happy to help.