Denvolve Kids

Looking after your child’s teeth is essential! Taking them to the dentist is important to prevent them developing dental decay as well as allowing our team to provide a positive experience in the dental setting from a young age.

It’s never too early to bring your child to Denvolve. The British Society of Paediatric Dentistry recommends to take them to a dentist as soon as your child gets their first teeth and definitely before their first birthday. This will allow your child to take in the dental setting, and become more familiar with visiting the dentist. Don’t be concerned if your child doesn’t want to open their mouth on the first visit, the most important thing is getting them used to being in the surgery as well as giving you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about your child’s teeth.

Your child should see a dentist regularly with no more than 12 months between check-up appointments, and commonly will be more regular than this. We will spend time giving bespoke advice on how to care for their teeth, this includes healthy eating and effective toothbrushing. As your child gets older, we will monitor the alignment of your child’s teeth, and carry out an assessment for braces if necessary.

0-3 years:

Primary teeth (also known as milk/baby/deciduous teeth) will usually come through from the age of around 6 months, however this can vary. Your baby will usually have 20 teeth that come through up before the age of three years old.

Looking after these teeth is really important, they will allow your child to smile, eat comfortably and be happy! In addition, these teeth help to hold the space for the adult teeth to grow into.

Cavities can be prevented on primary teeth by ensuring your child has a limited intake of sugar, and ensuring good, regular tooth brushing from the as soon as the first tooth comes into the mouth. Primary teeth will have thinner enamel which helps to protect teeth, this is why it’s even more important to ensure you child has limited sugary and acidic foods and drinks to prevent these teeth developing decay and dental erosion.

Once your child’s first tooth comes through into the mouth, they should be introduced to regular toothbrushing. We recognise this can be hard, however developing good habits are essential for healthy teeth. You should use a small headed soft toothbrush, with a smear of toothpaste (with at least 1000ppm fluoride) in the morning and evening until they are three years old.

3+ years:

Once your child is three years old, a pea sized amount of toothpaste can be used. Children can be encouraged to be more independent with toothbrushing as they get older, however we recommend to supervise them until the age of 8 years old to ensure they are brushing effectively. After your child has brushed their teeth in the evening with a fluoride toothpaste, they shouldn’t be eating or drinking anything to allow the toothpaste to work.

We want your child to build their confidence by providing high quality care in a comfortable, pain free environment. At each check up our team will assess the health of your child’s teeth and gums, take relevant x-rays if required, choose a suitable toothpaste and apply fluoride varnish to help keep their teeth protected. It’s important to pick up any dental issues as soon as possible to give your child the best outcomes for their teeth.