Teething and dental health
Poor dental hygiene affects not only your child’s teeth but also their health and wellbeing.
Taking your child to the dentist from a young age (usually when their first milk teeth appear) is the best way to avoid problems such as tooth decay. Tooth decay can be avoidable yet it remains an issue in many young children.
Your child may experience pain or infections in the mouth which may cause other childhood difficulties such as poor eating habits, sleep disturbance and general behavioural issues. Registering with a Dentist and attending recommended reviews may help parents recognize if their children are at a particular risk of dental decay.
‘Brushing for Life’ is a government scheme to promote oral hygiene in young children. The ‘brushing for life’ pack contains a fluoride toothpaste and toothbrush offered to children under the age of 3. The pack also contains further information about dental care and keeping teeth healthy – these are provided from your health visitor at your child’s 9 to 12 month review.
For further information and finding local Dentists, see links below.
- Institute of Health Visiting – Looking after your children’s teeth
- Keeping your teeth and mouth healthy (information leaflet)
- The NHS website – Children’s teeth
- The NHS website – How do I brush my child’s teeth? (6 months to 7 years)
- The NHS website – How to find an NHS dentist
- The NHS website – Looking after your baby’s teeth
- The NHS website – Sweets, fizzy drinks and bottles
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