Baby teeth are incredibly important for your children.
Acting as space-savers that guide their permanent teeth into their correct place, it’s vital that baby teeth are looked after. Generally, it is recommended that children see a dentist by the age of one year, or within six months of their first tooth coming through. Children’s visits to a dentist from a young age will help them get used to the dentist but also ensure there are no problems with your child’s teeth.
Our team
Dr Solmaz Samaee
GDC: 279602 | Practice : Muswell Hill
Caring for children's teeth
There are many problems that can affect your child’s dental health
, including thumb sucking and sugary foods. The biggest and most common problem in children under five years of age is baby bottle tooth decay.
Baby bottle tooth decay is a type of tooth decay caused by sweetened liquids clinging to children’s teeth for a long time. Bacteria in the mouth will feed on the sugary liquid, creating an acid that dissolves your children’s teeth, causing severe pain or tooth loss.
The risk of this tooth decay is increased when your child drinks from a baby bottle, has a lot of sugary food or drinks or uses a pacifier (dummy) that’s dipped in sugar or honey.
Badly decayed baby teeth could lead to an abscessed tooth, with the possibility of infection spreading elsewhere. Damage to baby teeth can cause your child to develop poor eating habits and speech problems, as well as crooked or damaged permanent teeth.
How to prevent baby bottle tooth decay
Avoid sugar
During the day, to calm or comfort your baby, don’t give a bottle filled with sugary liquids or milk; instead, give plain water or substitute a pacifier. Don’t dip your baby’s pacifier in sugar, honey, or any sugary liquid. Don’t put your baby to bed with a bottle filled with sugary liquids or allow your baby to nurse continuously throughout the night while sleeping. Use a pacifier or give your baby a bottle filled with plain water instead.
Clean gums
Use a wet cloth or gauze to wipe your child’s teeth and gums after each feeding. This helps remove any bacteria-forming plaque and excess sugar that have built up on the teeth and gums. Ask your dentist about your baby’s fluoride needs. If your drinking water is not fluoridated, fluoride supplements or fluoride treatments may be needed.
Use a cup
Teach your baby to drink from a cup by their first birthday. Moving to a “sippy cup” reduces the teeth’s exposure to sugars; however, constant sipping from the cup can still result in decay unless it is filled with plain water.
FAQs
How can I prepare my child for the dentist?
Consider a pretend visit. Before the first appointment, why not play a game with your child to be the dentist and the patient. All you’ll need is a toothbrush. Count your little one’s teeth by starting with the number 1 or the letters of the alphabet.
Let them know the dentist is there to help them!
How can I help my child brush their teeth?
Brush with your child to show them how to properly brush their teeth. If you’re worried they’re not brushing properly we have tools that we can show them the correct way to brush.
