Give your child the best start for a healthy smile

A survey carried out by Public Health England has recently revealed that one in eight three-year-olds and one in four five-year olds suffer from visible tooth decay, with these youngsters on average having at least three teeth that were decayed, missing or filled.

The shocking figures have prompted England’s health watchdog the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to issue new guidelines to help schools improve the oral health of children.

But the real shame of these findings is that tooth decay and gum disease are entirely preventable through regular brushing, routine visits to the dentist and cutting down on sugary foods and drinks.

The team at Brixworth Dental Practice want your children to have a healthy mouth and a smile to be proud of. And we want to help you get them into the best possible oral health routine.

This is why all children who have a parent registered with the practice will be treated for free so they get all the benefits of private dental care without any extra cost to you.

We also offer our own children’s health care plan if you do not want to register with the practice but would like your children to be treated here.

Having your child regularly seen by a dentist, ideally from as young as one, not only means that any possible problems are spotted and treated early, but is also great for ensuring children are comfortable seeing a dentist.

We can also give lots of help and advice to help your children establish good brushing habits, and youngsters can also see one of our hygienists if they need extra help with their brushing techniques.

And rest assured our team are as keen as you to ensure your children’s visits to us are relaxing and fun. We run a children’s club and can provide brushing charts to help reward youngsters who work hard keeping their teeth clean.

For more advice and answers to some of the questions we often get asked about children’s dental health see our page on children.

And lastly, here are some of our team’s top tips for how you can help keep your children’s mouth and teeth healthy and looking good:

1. Ensure your child brushes their teeth thoroughly at least twice a day. Try to leave it an hour after breakfast before brushing in the morning or if this is not possible, try brushing before breakfast instead. Make sure the brush is not run under the tap once toothpaste has been put on it.
2. Do not rinse the mouth with water after brushing. Try to leave the toothpaste on the teeth to ensure the fluoride can keep working to prevent decay.
3. Try to restrict the consumption of sweets to meal times. Snacking on sweets throughout the day means that the sugars in these foods will be on the teeth more often and could cause a higher rate of decay.
4. Fruit juices and flavoured waters are often very acidic and contain natural, sticky sugars. We understand it is hard to avoid them but you can help reduce the exposure to your child’s teeth by ensuring they drink them through a straw.
5. Dried fruits are not necessarily a healthier option for children’s teeth – they are sticky and very high in sugar. Try offering cheese, nuts and breadsticks as a healthier snack.
6. If your child is experiencing bleeding when they brush their teeth, it is a sign that the gums are not happy and that bacteria may be hiding there. They should brush these areas more thoroughly to ensure they are clear of plaque bacteria.