Question 1

My child is teething, when should we start brushing their teeth?

Accepted Answer

Even before teething starts, it is advisable to encourage your child to clean their mouth after food or bottle feeding. There are great products on the market like oral wipes for infants or soft finger cloth toothbrushes.

As soon as the first two teeth on the lower jaw come through, start using a soft baby brush every morning and evening with just a “smear” of toothpaste containing fluoride while still continuing with the wipes after milk or food.

Question 2

At what age should I bring my child for the first visit to the dentist?

Accepted Answer

We would like to see them when they are about one, then again at two years old, and after that twice yearly. That way we can catch signs of proneness to decay or crooked teeth and develop a prevention strategy in time to make a difference.

Question 3

How often should they visit the dentist?

Accepted Answer

Twice yearly is standard and the minimum. If the parents have problems (gum disease or bad teeth) or the children have had a history of decay, three or even four times a year is beneficial.

Question 4

What happens at a child's dental check-up?

Accepted Answer

The dentist will check your child's teeth, gums and bite, discuss brushing and diet, and may apply fluoride or suggest sealants. Visits are usually gentle and provide a chance to ask questions about oral development.

Question 5

Why are regular dental visits important even if my child has no pain?

Accepted Answer

Regular visits help detect problems early, often before symptoms develop, and support long-term oral health. Preventive care reduces the likelihood of more complex treatment later on.

Question 6

Is dental care available for children privately?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Children can receive comprehensive dental care on a private basis, including routine check-ups, preventive treatments and tailored advice. Private care often allows longer appointments and a greater focus on prevention and comfort.

Question 7

How often should my child brush their teeth?

Accepted Answer

As soon as the first tooth appears, teeth should always be thoroughly brushed twice daily. They should be brushed for at least two minutes with an electric toothbrush and at least three minutes by hand.

Question 8

Should we buy our child an electric toothbrush?

Accepted Answer

Electric toothbrushes are not suitable for babies and children under three — at this stage a specially designed manual brush with a rounded head and soft bristles is the right choice. For older children, brands including Oral-B and Philips offer child-friendly electric brushes with smaller heads and easy-grip handles. Electric brushes can be particularly helpful as children have less manual dexterity than adults, making it harder to clean back teeth thoroughly. Many also have built-in timers to ensure the recommended two minutes are reached. Whether using a manual or electric brush, you should help your child brush until at least age seven to ensure good technique and a thorough clean.

Question 9

How much toothpaste should we use?

Accepted Answer

Children up to age three should use just a smear of fluoride toothpaste — no more than a grain of rice in size. From ages three to six, increase this to a pea-sized amount.

Always encourage your child to spit rather than rinse after brushing, as rinsing washes away the protective fluoride. You should supervise brushing until around age seven to ensure the right amount is being used and swallowing is avoided.

Question 10

What if my child won't let me brush their teeth?

Accepted Answer

Turning brushing into a routine and making it fun with songs, timers or reward charts can help. If difficulties continue, the dental team can demonstrate techniques and suggest positions to make brushing easier.

Question 11

Do children need mouthwash?

Accepted Answer

Most children do not need mouthwash if they brush well with fluoride toothpaste. In some cases, a dentist may recommend a specific fluoride mouthwash for older children at higher risk of decay.

Question 12

How much sugar is safe for my child's teeth?

Accepted Answer

There is no completely safe level of sugar for teeth, but limiting sugary snacks and drinks to mealtimes significantly reduces decay risk. Choosing water or milk between meals and checking labels for hidden sugars is important.

Question 13

When my child's teeth are loose should we pull them out, leave them or show the dentist?

Accepted Answer

Ideally the milk teeth will become so loose and bothersome that your child will want you or us to help remove them. Often the tooth falls out or disappears while eating — this is not a problem and will pass naturally.

Question 14

When will my child's baby teeth fall out?

Accepted Answer

Most children begin losing baby teeth around age 5–6 and finish by around 12–13, although this varies. Your dentist can reassure you if development is within a normal range.

Question 15

Why are my child's new adult teeth more yellow than their baby teeth?

Accepted Answer

Adult teeth often appear slightly darker because they are thicker and contain more dentine beneath the enamel. This is usually normal, but your dentist can check for staining or early decay if needed.

Question 16

When should my child stop using a dummy or thumb sucking?

Accepted Answer

Prolonged dummy use or thumb sucking beyond around age 3–4 can affect tooth and jaw development. Your dentist can advise on timing and offer practical tips to help your child stop these habits gradually.

Question 17

My child's adult teeth are coming through crooked. Do they need braces now?

Accepted Answer

It is very common for adult teeth to look crowded or crooked as they first come through — the jaw is still growing and teeth often straighten naturally over time as more space develops. This does not usually mean braces are needed straight away. We will monitor your child's dental development at each visit and let you know if and when an orthodontic assessment would be appropriate. Early intervention is sometimes beneficial in specific cases, but for most children there is no rush — watching and waiting is often the right approach.

Question 18

What are the signs my child's teeth require Orthodontic Treatment?

Accepted Answer

Tooth grinding, headaches in the morning, muscle spasms, receding gums, speech difficulties, not being able to close lips without consciously doing it and cracking noisy jaw opening could all be signs that orthodontic treatment is needed. If you are in any doubt come and see us so we can take a look.

Question 19

At what age can gum disease start to show?

Accepted Answer

Signs of gum disease — including bad breath, red gum lines and bleeding while brushing or flossing — can show as early as nine or ten years of age. If your child starts to show any of these symptoms please make an appointment with us so we can take a look and start any treatment needed in good time.

Question 20

How can I prevent tooth decay in my child's teeth?

Accepted Answer

Brushing twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste, limiting sugary foods and drinks, and attending regular dental visits are the most important steps. Your dentist may also recommend fluoride varnish or fissure sealants for additional protection.

Question 21

What are fissure sealants and do children need them?

Accepted Answer

Fissure sealants are thin protective coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth to help prevent decay in deep grooves. They are often recommended for children at higher risk of tooth decay as part of a preventive plan.

Question 22

Can children have fluoride varnish?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Fluoride varnish is commonly applied to children's teeth to strengthen enamel and reduce the risk of decay. It is quick, painless and often recommended at regular intervals.

Question 23

Are X-rays safe for children?

Accepted Answer

Dental X-rays use very low levels of radiation and are only taken when clinically necessary. Protective measures are used, and the benefits of early diagnosis generally outweigh the small associated risks.

Question 24

Can my child have orthodontic treatment?

Accepted Answer

Orthodontic treatment may be suitable for some children as they grow. Your dentist can monitor development and refer for an orthodontic assessment at the appropriate stage.

Question 25

My child is scared of the dentist. What can I do?

Accepted Answer

Starting dental visits early, keeping explanations simple and calm, and letting the dental team know about any fears can make a big difference. The team can take extra time, use child-friendly language and work at your child's pace.

Question 26

What should I do if my child falls and breaks or damages a tooth?

Accepted Answer

The two most important things to remember when a tooth accident happens are firstly, time matters — get to us as soon as possible, and secondly look for and bring all pieces of tooth you can find.

Question 27

What protection is there when playing sports?

Accepted Answer

The best protection against dental sports injuries is from a bespoke mouth guard. A custom fit gum shield is far superior to ‘boil and bite’ or off-the-shelf gum shields as it is unique to each person’s mouth and fits better as it is made from an accurate impression of your mouth.

A custom-made mouth guard can be up to 2.5mm thicker, act as a shock-absorber following impact and spreads the load following a blow. The contact area of a custom-made mouth guard is greater, breathing is not hindered, it will not move during activity, and speech is less impaired. The British Dental Health Foundation recommends the use of custom-made mouthguards.