Why do children need to visit the dentist on a regular basis?

A baby’s first teeth appear anywhere from around six months of age to their first birthday. Some can be earlier and some can be later, the timeline varies. If your baby’s teeth are taking time to erupt then usually there is no need for concern. Often delayed tooth eruption is due to genetics and speaking to family members can put your mind at ease. Other possible causes include premature birth, low birth weight or poor nutrition. If your baby is affected by developmental or endocrine disorders then this can delay tooth eruption too. There are no serious risks related to baby teeth coming in late, but if they have not erupted by 18 months, it is strongly recommended that you book an appointment with our dentist St John’s Wood. Our dentist St John’s Wood will inspect your child’s mouth and may decide to take dental X-rays to confirm that the teeth are present. Where necessary, you may be referred to other specialists for further examination.

Good dental hygiene

Once the teeth begin to erupt, it is important that you implement a good dental hygiene routine from the outset. Baby teeth need to be brushed twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste. It is important that this is done by the parent or the carer using a tiny amount of toothpaste. Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay and makes your baby’s teeth stronger. Another way to look after your baby’s dental health is by promoting a healthy diet from a young age. The diet needs to be high in calcium to promote healthy teeth and strong bones.

What to avoid for healthy teeth

Milk, cheese, and yoghurt are good sources of calcium. You need to limit sugar intake in food and drink and you should avoid milky drinks at night as they can encourage the formation of tooth decay. You should try to swap from using a bottle to a beaker as soon as possible as this can also have a detrimental impact on your child’s teeth and can affect the alignment of their teeth as an adult.

This is the same for a baby’s dummy. By avoiding a dummy, you will promote better dental health. Thumbsucking is another factor that can cause dental complications in children and in the future when they are adults. It should be discouraged and your child will thank you when they are older.

Brushing should be carried out by an adult up until the age of six or seven, after which the children should be able to brush their teeth by themselves. Even then it should be supervised. Children need to be brushing their teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. They should not rinse their mouth after they have brushed, rather they should spit out the remaining toothpaste and let the fluoride sit on their teeth, preventing cavities and tooth decay. Book an appointment with our dentist St John’s Wood at Aura Dental for you and your family today and make sure that you are taking good care of your children’s teeth, as not only is it important for their overall health and wellbeing now, it is important for the rest of their lives.