As children grow up they will experience many changes in their mouth. We are here to offer advice and guidance to help secure lifelong habits for a healthy mouth.
We aim to make routine examinations a calm and enjoyable experience. All of our dentists have years of experience caring for young people. At each routine visit we will look at the following areas:
Forming effective toothbrushing habits is one of those important life skills! Although its expected that people brush their teeth, we know that many have never been shown techniques for the maximum benefit.
If we can help children to develop good toothbrushing habits early on, this will set them up for life. We will use models and photos to help tweak their technique and hopefully motivate We can demonstrate how to use the toothbrush effectively to remove plaque and keep gums healthy.
In an ideal world everyone would keep their teeth healthy for life. However if teeth are exposed to sugar and plaque bacteria they can develop decay and cavities. We will look for signs of decay and offer treatment to repair these areas. Eating a diet that is low in sugar is hugely important in preventing decay so we will offer advice on how to manage this.
Some teeth develop with deep creases on the biting surface which we call fissures. These areas can be very difficult to clean and put the tooth at higher risk of decay. To reduce this risk we can bond a resin into the fissure to make them shallower and more easily cleaned. This is known as “fissure sealing” the teeth.
As a child develops there may be some unexpected changes that happen inside the mouth. For example, teeth coming through in the wrong place, crowded teeth, discolouration We can reassure you on whether this is part of normal development and if it needs treatment to correct it.
Teeth don’t always come though into the ideal alignment. They can be crowded, rotated, sticking out or fail to come through at all. Often this can be corrected by orthodontic treatment (braces)
We refer all of our children who need orthodontic treatment to specialists. There is still an NHS system for children with the most severe orthodontic needs. In this system all the possible orthodontic problems with tooth position and bite are graded from 1-5 and those who score 3.5 and above are eligible for NHS treatment. We will monitor the orthodontic development and let you know your score. Anyone who falls below the threshold can be referred for orthodontic treatment privately.
Unfortunately accidents happen and teeth can be damaged from falls and sporting injuries. We can offer same day appointments if your child has suffered a dental injury. For more information and guidance on what to do immediately after an injury please click here
Links to
• Fissure sealants
• Hypomineralisation page
Yes, this is completely normal. The reason for this lies in the structure and size of the teeth. All teeth have an outer layer of enamel which is translucent, and an inner layer of dentine which is yellower in colour. Adult teeth have a thicker layer of dentine and so appear darker. This difference is only noticeable when there are baby teeth and adult teeth side by side. Once all the baby teeth are lost and the adult teeth will appear a “normal” colour again.
Toothbrushing should begin as soon as a child develops teeth, although co-operation is often lacking at this stage!
We recommend using a fluoride toothpaste, as there is evidence to show that this decreases the chances of developing decay. The concentration of fluoride is often measured in parts per million (ppm) in a toothpaste. The British Society of Paediatric Dentistry recommend the following:
Birth – 3 years – use a smear of toothpaste containing 1000ppm fluoride
3 years plus – use a pea size amount of toothpaste containing 1500ppm fluoride and encourage the child to spit out the toothpaste, not to swallow or rinse.
When choosing a manual toothbrush, look for one with a small head and medium bristles. An electric toothbrush can be used at any age, but younger children may appreciate a child specific head (most manufacturers make these as an option) and a body which has modes with less intense vibrations
Yes, there are a couple of alternatives. Most supermarkets sell an own brand toothpaste that is berry flavour, although this can also be quite strong.
There is a completely taste free, non-foaming toothpaste called oranurse which comes in both child and adult fluoride concentrations.
[picture of oranurse]
It was originally developed for autistic patients who didn’t like the strong taste or bubbles of standard toothpastes. It is also useful for patients who have a dry mouth or any condition that causes irritation of the lining of the mouth (eg lichen planus).
Oranurse can be purchased from Sixty Six Dental or click here to find other stockists.
For most patients, the decision to have braces is a cosmetic one. The appearance of the teeth can have a big effect on a person’s self-esteem and confidence. Braces (orthodontic treatment) can straighten the teeth and improve self-confidence when smiling.
There are also some situations where there is a health benefit to be had from orthodontic treatment. For example, if your upper teeth are more than 10mm in front of your lower teeth when you bite together then you are move likely to damage them if you fall. Or if you have a deep overlap in your bite and the lower teeth bite against the gums, making them sore.
The majority of child patients start treatment around 12-13 years old when all the adult teeth have come through. There are some cases which need to be started earlier and your dentist will advise you if this is needed. If you are an adult and missed out on treatment as a child, it may still be possible to have braces, but the process may take a bit longer.
Yes, this is quite a common situation and nothing to worry about. Once the baby teeth fall out, the adult teeth will drift forward into the space. If the adult teeth are short of space and are “crowded” it might be necessary to have a brace to move them into the perfect position.
Sometimes the outer layer of the tooth – the enamel – doesn’t form properly when the tooth is developing. This is known as hypomineralisation (or “chalky” teeth) as the tooth enamel doesn’t have the normal crystal structure which gives the tooth its colour and strength. The enamel is sometimes softer as well as discoloured. This is a common condition with around 20% of children experiencing some form of hypomineralisation. The exact cause is unknown, but there may be a genetic link or some factor that causes a disturbance to the developing tooth such as maternal illness during pregnancy or medication.
The discolouration can vary from barely noticeable white flecks through larger distinct orange marks to a tooth which is completely brown in colour. If the enamel is still smooth and shiny (the white and orange variants usually) the tooth is at no more risk of decay or breakage than a “normal” tooth. This is then a cosmetic only problem and there are various treatments than can be used to disguise the colour if the appearance makes the person self conscious.
However, if the surface is rough and pitted (usually the brown variant) then the tooth is at higher risk of decay. Where the enamel is softer it can wear away more quickly and the tooth can become sensitive. In these cases the tooth may need treatment to prevent further damage occurring or in the worst cases, removing completely.
Your dentist can advise you on whether treatment is needed and what the options are.
For more information about hypomineralisation please click here to be directed to the Developmental Dental Defects website.
