DENTAL CHECK UPS

CHILDREN. HOW OFTEN SHOULD I HAVE A DENTAL CHECK-UP?

With a rising number of youngsters losing teeth to decay, parents are being urged to seek professional help early. NHS drive to get children to see dentist at age one.

Your dentist will suggest when you should have your next check-up based on how good your oral health is.

The time between check-ups can vary from three months to two years, depending on how healthy your teeth and gums are and your risk of future problems.

Children should go to dentist with their parents as soon as possible. This will let them get used to the noises, smells and surrounding. The earlier these visit start, the more relaxed the children will be

The whole family should have regular dental check ups

Children should start brushing their teeth as soon as they get their first tooth.

Brush teeth last thing at night before going to bed and one other time during the day.

Reduce the amount of sugary foods and drinks

Use fluoride toothpaste.

The advice from Public Health England is that your child should see a dentist from six months because that’s when first teeth usually come through. By the age of one, most of your baby’s front teeth should be present. It’s an opportunity for the dentist to look into his or her mouth and check that the teeth are developing as they should. We also know that 1 in 8 three year old children have visible dental decay, so we don’t want children waiting until school age for their first dental visit. Dental decay is almost always preventable and we want your child to grow up with healthy teeth that are free from decay.

Parents should take their children to the dentist by the age of one, according to the chief dental officer, as part of an NHS drive to reduce high rates of tooth extractions among pre-school children.

What happens if my child won’t co-operate?

Sometimes a child won’t open their mouth. Don’t worry. Some children take longer to adapt to new surroundings. If after some encouragement, your child keeps their teeth clamped together, there should still be time for you to chat to the dentist and get preventive advice for your child. Book to return in a few months and hopefully the dentist will have more luck in seeing into your child’s mouth!

Preventing tooth decay

visit your dentist regularly –your dentist will decide how often they need to see you based on the condition of your mouth, teeth and gums

cut down on sugary and starchy food and drinks, particularly between meals or within an hour of going to bed – some medications can also contain sugar, so it's best to look for sugar-free alternatives where possible

Although tooth decay is a common problem, it's often entirely preventable. The best way to avoid tooth decay is to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible. For example, you should:

look after your teeth and gums –brushing your teeth properly with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day, using floss and an interdental brush at least once a day