At the dental practice, you will be given advice and support from the dental team, who will show you how you can help your child keep healthy teeth, and stop them suffering tooth decay in the future.
The dental team will:
- give information on how teeth grow and develop and carry out regular checks to make sure the teeth and gums are healthy.
- offer hints and tips on dental care.
- demonstrate and explain toothbrushing.
- promote toothbrushing messages e.g. spit don’t rinse.
- advise on weaning and healthy snacks and drinks.
- provide clinical care including fissure sealants as appropriate and twice yearly fluoride varnish.
At your initial visit it may be the dental nurse you see. The dental nurse will advise you on how to keep your child’s teeth healthy and help with practical problems such as teething, weaning and choosing the right food and drinks.
Aim to register your baby with a dentist soon after birth or by the time they are six months of age.
From then on, take your child to the dental practice routinely as advised by your dental team.
These regular visits will also help your child to become familiar with being examined by a dentist.