Give your child the best start possible
We love to see children at Castle Gate Dental in Dursley. It is the best time to start practising preventive dentistry. Most children develop teeth that with care should not need much traditional dental treatment.
Most children enjoy coming to the dentist – they have no memories of painful fillings or extractions – and this is the way it should be. We aim to get children through childhood free from fillings and with the necessary habits that will allow them to keep their teeth healthy for life.
Regular dental examinations help your dentist prevent and treat decay before it causes cavities and toothache. During your child’s examination, their dentist will look at the following:
- Which teeth have erupted (come through the gum)
- The development of their jaw
- The soft tissues (tongue, cheeks, lips and throat)
- Cavities in their teeth
- As your child gets older we will assess how their teeth bite together to check if orthodontics are required later on
We give advice on preventive care
- Healthy diet
- Brushing techniques
- Fluoride treatments, if necessary
- Fissure sealants if there’s a high risk of cavities developing
Our tips for caring for your child’s teeth
- Oral hygiene starts as soon as your child’s first tooth erupts through the gum and this is usually around six months of age.
- Use a small and very soft child’s toothbrush and a pea sized amount of children’s toothpaste as they contain less fluoride than adult toothpastes. If you are unsure about the fluoride content please speak to your dentist or health visitor.
- Brush twice a day once in the morning and before bed, cleaning the teeth and the gum area. You will need to clean your child’s teeth at least until they are 5 years old and supervise them for much longer!
- Encourage your child to spit the toothpaste out but not to rinse with water as this reduces the effects of the fluoride, which is very water-soluble.
- Do NOT allow your child to fall asleep with a bottle of milk, formula milk or any fruit juice as these have hidden sugars that will pool around the teeth as they sleep, leading to cavities.
- Limit the amount of sugars in your child’s diet. If they do have sugary snacks and drinks keep them to meal times only and give water and healthy snacks in between.
- If your child is prone to tooth decay in their baby teeth your dentist may recommend fluoride treatment as this helps to strengthen the tooth surface and help protect it from decay. Then as the adult teeth erupt through the gum, it may be advised that a protective layer is painted onto the tooth’s biting surface, which is called a fissure sealant.
When should my child start coming to the dentist?
Children should start to visit the dentist as young as possible, so bring them along with you to your examinations. They may be too young for an examination but the visits help to familiarise them with the surroundings, the smells, noise and most important they meet the dentist.
What will their examinations involve?
The examinations will be informal to start with, a quick look using a dental mirror, counting their teeth and looking for any signs of decay. As your child’s confidence grows their dentist will carry out a more thorough examination.
General Dental Services
Castle Gate Dental Practice
Cosmetic Dental Treatments
The team at Castle Gate Dental Practice is dedicated to providing healthy, good looking smiles and we focus on improving the quality, function and appearance of your teeth.
SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY
Call us now on 01453 542109 or contact us online
