Got a question about your child’s teeth? Here are some answers

 

Here at Alexandra Dental Care in Swadlincote we regularly see child patients for their scheduled examination appointments in order to keep their gums and teeth healthy.
Our team of dental professionals are all able to provide elements of children’s dentistry  and have all given many a young patient a healthy and happy smile. As well as Dentist being able to provide treatments to children Alexandra Dental Care are also privileged to have two qualified Oral Health Educators and hold FREE sessions to help children to brush up on the dental hygiene. Here are a few questions Oral Health Educator Jo Lowe has answered for us:

Question: Do you really need to brush baby teeth if they fall out anyway?
Jo Lowe: To put it simply, yes you do. Not brushing will lead to plaque build up, tooth decay and gum disease. This can lead to pain as well as bone loss in the jaw, which will hinder the growth of adult teeth. In fact, its not just essential to brush, it is also important to start flossing your child’s teeth as soon as they have two teeth that touch. Beginning these habits from an early age can encourage excellent oral health behaviours into later life.

Question: Is it safe for children use toothpaste for adults?
Jo Lowe: Family toothpaste is safe for children as long as you supervise brushing to ensure they don’t eat it. There are various toothpastes specifically designed for children under the age of six and they tend to have lower doses of fluoride in them. If your child has no tooth decay, these are fine for them to use if you prefer – in fact many of them are flavoured or have their various favourite characters on and can be great aids to make toothbrushing more fun.

Question: Why should children get fluoride varnish treatment?
Jo Lowe: Fluoride varnish treatment can be applied to both baby and adult teeth, usually from the age of three. If your dentist thinks your child needs it, the treatment can be applied earlier on. It helps to prevent decay by strengthening the tooth enamel and making it more resistant to the acid attack from plaque and bacteria. It is a particularly good treatment for children as it is not always easy to brush their teeth as well as you would possibly like to, so it provides the extra protection for their developing dentition. It should be noted that a good oral health regime should still be applied at home even if the teeth have been treated with fluoride varnish.
If you are interested in bringing your child in for a FREE oral health appointment with one of our Oral Health Educators Jo or Stacey call or pop in to the practice. You will also be pleased to know that Alexandra Dental Care are able to provide care to your child (under the age of 18) under the NHS book your child’s appointment today.

If you have any questions, be sure to book an appointment with us today. Drop into the practice at 54 Alexandra Road, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE11 9AZ or call us on 01283 216347.

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