At Southfield Dental, we are highly experienced in children’s dentistry and offer a range of treatments to ensure their teeth are kept in excellent condition and develop as they should. From exceptional advice and fissure sealants to fluoride varnishes, you can rest assured that your little one’s oral hygiene is in good hands with our professional dental team.
Your child’s baby teeth will typically start to emerge at around six months in age, which is the best time to bring your little one along for their first dental appointment. As well as ensuring their oral health has a great head start, this will help your children to get used to the sights, sounds and smells of a dental practice.
By coming along for regular routine check-ups, your children will therefore become familiar with the environment, which decreases the likelihood of finding the process unpleasant. At Southfield Dental, we can offer your child a variety of options to prevent any damage to their teeth. These include sealants, fluoride varnishes and even early orthodontics.
A dental sealant is a thin, plastic layer which is applied to the grooves on the chewing surfaces on molars at the back of the mouth. It acts as a shield which protects bacteria from entering and causing any unwanted cavities. In most cases, sealants are applied between the ages of six to twelve and last for up to five to ten years.
Fluoride varnish contains a high level of fluoride and can be applied to both children and adult teeth. Painted onto your teeth every six months, fluoride varnish works by strengthening the enamel to protect against damage caused by decay. Children are usually offered fluoride varnish at least twice a year from the age of three.
Taking early preventative steps to maintain your child’s health will bring with it a wealth of benefits. At Southfield Dental, we advise that your children brush their teeth for two minutes twice a day; once just before bedtime and once at another time during the day. This will help them to form a routine.
Be sure to remind them to spit out excess toothpaste, and not to rinse their mouth with too much water, as this can strip away the fluoride and cause it to be less efficient. When their teeth start to touch, we advise that your children start flossing to remove any trapped plaque. Paying attention to your child’s diet and decreasing their sugar intake will also help to maintain excellent oral health.