Make toothbrushing fun
It’s a good idea to make tooth brushing into a fun game, especially at the beginning as your child is just getting used to it. When brushing is fun, children enjoy it and are happy to spend their time doing it. Why not pick your very own tooth brushing song or rhyme? There’s a huge variety of colourful brushes and flavoured toothpastes available for children to help make the moment as enjoyable as possible.
Protection against sugar
It’s a good idea to avoid giving sugar to your child or at least limit sweet treats to meal times. In addition to the obvious items like juice and sweets, bear in mind that kids’ snacks like yoghurts also contain high levels of sugar. A xylitol tablet taken after each meal will put a stop to the “acid attack” and help promote healthy teeth for your child.
Prevent the spread of caries
Children’s mouths are naturally clear of the sort of bacteria that can cause cavities. They often pick up caries from their mum, dad or older sibling, who might have used the same cutlery or popped the child’s dummy in their mouth to clean it. It is unusual for children to pick up caries at school age or later.
Trauma and orthodontics
If your child has an accident involving their teeth, even a fairly minor one, it is a good idea to take them to the dentist as damage may not become apparent for several years.
We would normally commence orthodontic treatment to correct misalignments between the ages of 9 and 12.
If necessary, dental treatment can be administered under sedation.
