020 8670 1881

reception@westdulwichdental.co.uk

West Dulwich Dental

Children’s Dentist

Why is it important to look after children’s teeth?

Caring for teeth starts at a young age – as soon as the first tooth appears in the gum, adults should help children to brush and look after their first teeth.

Keeping children’s teeth healthy helps to avoid the build-up of plaque which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Developing good dental hygiene habits early also encourages children to look after their teeth for life.

Once teeth begin to appear in the gum, children can start to visit the dentist. This promotes another good habit and reduces the chances of children being afraid to visit the dentist.

At West Dulwich Dental, we welcome children from Sydenham, West Norwood, Tulse Hill, West Dulwich and throughout South London.

What dental treatments are available for children in West Dulwich?

At West Dulwich dental, we recommend that children visit us every 6 months for a check-up. These regular dental appointments allow us to monitor how your children’s teeth are growing and whether there are any issues such as keeping teeth clean and free from plaque. 

Regular dental checks in children mean that should any problems arise; we can deal with them quickly and effectively. Issues that are left may  cause pain or develop into bigger problems for your child which can be potentially more expensive too.

Our professional team of dentists are welcoming and friendly and will ensure that your child is put at their ease.

We see child patients from West Dulwich, Sydenham, Tulse Hill, West Norwood and throughout South London. Some of the dental treatments that we offer specifically for children include:

Fissure sealants

Fissure sealants for children are a form of plastic coating that are painted on to young teeth. The sealant provides a protective layer which prevents food and bacteria from getting stuck in the grooves of teeth causing decay.

Fissure sealants are a good option for children if we can see early signs of cavities developing.

The procedure is quick, easy and painless. Once the teeth have been cleaned and dried, the sealant is painted on to the teeth and are then hardened using a special light. It should only take a few minutes per tooth to complete.

Fissure sealants can last up to 5 years, but they need to be checked regularly to ensure that the seal has not broken or worn away. Sometimes, the sealant will need to be replaced to make sure that no decay can develop beneath it.

Fillings in baby teeth

Many people wrongly believe that cavities in deciduous, or baby teeth are not serious because the teeth are not permanent. Cavities are caused by teeth not being cleaned properly or a diet that is too acidic or contains too much sugar.

Cavities in baby teeth in children need to be treated because:

  • They can cause pain and discomfort for your child
  • Cavities can lead to other problems such as infections and gum disease
  • Your child’s dental health is directly related to their general health
  • Poor dental care in early years tends to mean poor dental care later
  • Children need healthy teeth to speak and eat properly

The process for filings in deciduous teeth is like those used in adult teeth. The dentist will firstly remove any infected material from your child’s tooth and clean it. The cavity will then be filled to protect and give shape to the tooth. The material used in the filling will depend upon the severity of the cavity and where the tooth is located.

Extraction of baby teeth

If a deciduous tooth becomes significantly decayed so that a filling is not possible or if it has a serious infection, it may need to be extracted.

At West Dulwich Dental we will do everything we can to save a tooth, but if a filling and other treatment will not help, then extraction maybe necessary.

Extraction of a deciduous tooth will:

  • Stop the pain or toothache that your child is experiencing
  • Prevent an infection from spreading to other areas of the mouth

If your child’s baby tooth has to be extracted, we will make sure that they are as comfortable as possible throughout the process. We will use a local anaesthetic to numb the area of the mouth so that your child will not feel a thing. The tooth is then gently extracted.

Are you ready to get started?

Book Your Appointment

We’re currently welcoming new patients from Sydenham, West Norwood, Tulse Hill, West Dulwich and throughout South London.

Darren
Very friendly, professional, high cleanliness. Dentist is very approachable, diplomatic, pragmatic. Hygienist experience was great - very sensitive to my needs and my teeth, afterwards, felt fantastic.
Victor M.
If I could give West Dulwich Dental 6 stars I would. I have been a patient at the surgery for over 5 years now with every interaction being friendly and professional. Every member of the team is professional and friendly which makes each appointment pleasant and stress-free. Dr Chong is truly an expert in his field - I have had a root canal, extraction and dental implant with Dennis and all have been fully explained to me beforehand before being carried out as painlessly and thoroughly as possible. I thoroghly recommend WDD for both the technical care shown to patients as well as for their customer service.
Martin
I have received excellent expert treatment from the whole team at West Dulwich Dental.The team were associate dentist, Dr Mihir, the dental hygienist and therapist, Anastasia and Reception Manager, Joanna.I had not attended a dental appointment for so many years, but I was immediately made to feel relaxed and welcome.Dr Mihir handled my first appointment, an assessment of what work was needed. He was very good at getting the details he needed; he is a very good listener. He was professional, warm and re-assuring, without being judgemental (like I say, so many years), and we agreed a course of treatment.First up was Anastasia, who provided me with peridontal treatment. Anastasia did a fantastic job, and also imparted some very helpful tips on maintaining my teeth and gums.Next Dr Mihir carried out extensive repair work, involving replacement fillings and three crowns over four visits. Again, he has done some fantastic work.And at each visit, Joanna has been there. Joanna has a welcoming personality and is super efficient at managing the appointment bookings.I would thoroughly recommend West Dulwich Dental to you if you are looking for a dental practice to go to; I am so appreciative of what they have done for me.
Samantha F
Dr Mihir Nanavati: I'm a new client and my experience has been excellent. Have had wisdom tooth removed with innovative technique for pain free injections which I found outstanding. I have registered my child which says it all. Highly professional, diligent and personable.
Dan de K.
Coming from the USA, I was very wary of "British dentistry" (I know, I know) -- after a year with West Dulwich Dental I couldn't have been more wrong. This is an outstanding practice, and so far has been better than the dentistry I experienced in the US.It's a small group which means you get to know everyone, and see the same dentist every time. I believe there are just two dentists on staff, and I've been seen by Dr Mihir Nanavati who joined the practice just last year I think. He's really great -- both a lovely chairside demeanour and, so far, excellent modern, up-to-date dentistry (two crowns and a couple of fillings). I also had one of the temporary crowns come loose (accidentally aggressive flossing, my bad), and Dr Nanavati saw me out of hours to reattach it, no charge.I've also had a cleaning with the hygienist, and this was *extremely* thorough.It's definitely not cheap (private dentistry is always going to be expensive), but my general feeling is that your teeth are one area where it really pays off over time to get good quality and attentive work done -- indeed, one of the two crowns I had done was a replacement on a previous crown that had a gap at the base (and that was done by a good dentist too!).
Jacqueline D.
I highly recommend Dr Dennis and his team at West Dulwich Dental.The team go above and beyond to treat any issues you may have, but also help teach you why issues are happening to prevent them in the future. The team make sure they get to know you as a person to help you feel comfortable in the practice and understood. The level of professionalism, but kindness Dr Dennis shows makes it easy for nervous patients like myself to attend routine check ups and follow all hygiene recommendations.I originally attended this practice through word of mouth to have general fillings and cleans done. However, I was also insecure about the marks on the front of my teeth, the shape and colour of my front teeth. After a few discussions, without pressure to go ahead with any of the suggestions, I worked through a plan with Dr Dennis. He was able to walk me through step by step the best way to achieve the results I was after. He is passionate about his work and it shows. I love my smile now, no marks, even front teeth, whiter - a good smile can fill someone with amazing confidence. If you are insecure about any part of your smile, I recommend having a discussion with Dr Dennis to understand what can be changed. You will not regret it.I have since moved back to Australia, but have popped into the dental surgery while visiting London, as it’s hard to trust another dentist when you find a good one like this.Thank you again West Dulwich Dental team!
Esther F.
The level of treatments that I have had over the last 6 months was incredible, I can’t thank the whole team, and especially Dr Dennis enough, for creating my perfect smile for my wedding day.
Mike H.
Have used the practice for more than a decade for myself and family. Always friendly and technically robust. The practice has consistently invested into new approaches and team members so that they remain leading edge. For these reasons, I am very comfortable to recommend them to others. I moved to France but still visit West Dulwich Dental years later, so my appreciation isn't just because of convenience.
Denis N.
I travel a long way for appointments with Dr Lee Chong on account of my deep confidence in his practice. I cannot praise West Dulwich Dental too highly, for clinical excellence, proactive care and first-rate communications.
Tom R.
I would thoroughly recommend West Dulwich Dental. Dennis, Anastasia, Joanna and the whole team are friendly and the treatment is excellent. I have had check-ups, hygienist visits and a filling, and the experience has been excellent. Thank you!
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