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.