London cosmetic dentistry

Archive for the ‘Dentistry for children’ Category

Oral health tips for your child’s healthy smile from London dentist

Monday, March 8th, 2010

Looking after your children’s teeth is very important, not just for the present but also to ensure that they develop good oral hygiene habits for the rest of their life. Everybody wants the best for their kids but by ignoring their dental welfare you may be unknowingly setting them up for a lifetime of painful and costly dental problems.

Looking after a young child’s teeth is very much up to the parents. This will involve brushing and flossing your child’s teeth for them, but as they get older it s vital you show them the proper ways to brush and floss and stress the importance of healthy without going too far. Try to encourage your child to brush correctly. Never try and force them or make them brush their teeth because this can build up resentment. Make the activity fun or reward them for doing it well. This way the correct methods will become natural.

Take your children to the dentist early to reassure them that there is nothing to be scared about. Most dental phobias stem from an incident in childhood when a child was afraid at the dentist. You may also want to ask you London dentist about fluoride. In some areas it is necessary to supplement your child’s fluoride intake as water supplies vary, but make sure you seek advice first as an excess of fluoride can cause discolouration of enamel later in life.

Your role as a parent is very important to your child’s dental health so if there is ever anything you are unsure about or are having difficulty caring for your child’s teeth, your dentist is always available to give advice and support.

Dental sealants for children from Central London dentist

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

Our teeth have small grooves, especially in the chewing surfaces of molars, that are too small to be cleaned by regular toothbrushes but not too small for plaque to build up and cause cavities. Dental sealants aim to fill these grooves preventing the build up of plaque offering 100 per cent protection from decay. Sealants not only prevent decay but can also prevent any further erosion in cases of decay that is already occurring.

Dental sealants are increasingly being used for children to prevent early decay as their teeth are still developing and not as strong as they will be in their adult years. Although sealants are not needed for teeth that have already been filled. Children should ideally have dental sealants applied to permanent molars as soon as they erupt in the dental arc. This is usually between the ages of six and twelve.

Sealants are applied after a gentle acid has been applied to make the surface of the teeth etched and rough for added grip. Once dried, the Central London dentist will apply the liquid sealant into the grooves of the teeth before setting it hard with the high intensity heat of a laser. Sealants are safe and painless, and best of all for kids, require no drilling.

Sealants can last up to ten years but the average lifespan is probably more likely in the area of two or three. They are highly effective tools against dental decay and can be reapplied by a dentist if it has started to wear off.

Learn about children’s oral health at Central London dentist

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

Looking after your child’s oral health even in the first few years of life can determine the health of their teeth for the rest of their life. Teaching your children effective and thorough dental hygiene skills when they are young will stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives just as ignoring dental hygiene can lead to a lifetime of dental health problems.

How you deal with your child’s dental health can affect the condition and alignment of teeth in later life. By setting good examples and helping your child to understand the importance of visiting the dentist early can be of real benefit. Decisions such as what to feed your children can also affect the condition of their teeth. Baby bottle decay, so called because of the premature damage caused to teeth by giving children too many sugary drinks in infancy is on the rise in the UK and it is important that more parents learn about the dangers of giving their children drinks with high sugar content.

As with any medical condition, developing problems in the developing years can cause long-term health issues that can never be truly resolved. This is the same in the world of dental health with cases of early decay causing problems that may last a lifetime. Advice and health on proper dental care for children is widely available from Central London dentists. Making the correct decisions now can really help your child to develop strong and healthy teeth and teach them the importance of looking after their own dental health in the future. No parent wants to see their child in pain or suffering and keeping your child free from dental pain should be no exception.

Keep your children’s teeth healthy at City of London dentist

Monday, February 8th, 2010

Keeping your children’s teeth clean and healthy is very important for ensuring they have a life free of dental problems. Infant tooth decay is on the increase as more and more underdeveloped teeth are being exposed to sugary drinks and sweets, causing dental health problems that can last a lifetime.

There are several easy ways to ensure your child’s teeth are as healthy as possible. Firstly, it is very important to ensure that they learn the importance of cleaning teeth properly everyday. Good habits learnt when young can carry on throughout their life and give them a better chance of avoiding decay and gum disease. Teach your child how to brush and floss correctly, making the activity fun and never forcing them. Making your child resent brushing their teeth can lead to problems in the future. Flossing can also start at an early age, which again can give them an advantage later in life.

Avoid giving your child sugary drinks and sweets. Fresh fruit is far better for the teeth than sugary juice and sweets which can cause decay. Teach your child to drink from a cup early and try to wean the off the dummy as early as possible as this can cause dental problems. It is also a good idea to discourage thumb sucking as this can lead to alignment problems later in life.

Finally, always make sure your child has regular check ups with a City of London dentist. Encouraging your child and making sure they are not afraid of the dentist will lessen the chances of any dental phobia causing damage later in life.

Avoid baby bottle decay with help from London dentist

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

Children need strong and healthy teeth when they are growing up to help them develop strong and straight teeth when they are adults. Tooth decay can begin at a very early age and can cause a whole series of dental problems later in life. This early tooth decay, also known as baby bottle decay, is often caused by giving children too many sugary drinks.

The sugar contained in many drinks such as fruit juices, baby formula and even milk can encourage the growth of bacteria that causes plaque. Plaque is a filmy substance that surrounds the teeth and causes the break down of tooth enamel. There are several easy tips to help avoid baby bottle decay that if followed can help your children to develop healthy teeth.

Avoid giving your child drinks with a high sugar content. Breast milk is far better for your child’s teeth than formula as it contains less sugar. As your child gets older, try to give them water rather than juice or milk. Try to remember to remove the bottle when the child has fallen asleep and try to teach children to drink form a cup as early as possible. Try to discourage your child from prolonged use of a dummy and never dip the dummy in honey or sugar to get them to use it.

Always encourage your children to clean their teeth and begin to floss at an early age. London dentists can give you more advice on how best to clean your child’s teeth and can recommend which products will be most suitable. Children should visit the dentist every six months just like adults to ensure their teeth develop as healthily as possible.

Parents get advice on child’s dental care from city of London dentist

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

Looking after your child’s dental health is an important part of being a parent. Dental health can be easily maintained with the right care and can help to set up your children for a lifetime of healthy-looking teeth.

Firstly, it is important to remember that your child’s dental health starts even before they are born. Expectant mothers should be consuming calcium-rich food to aid the production of healthy teeth and bones. Fortified cereals, dairy products and soy are ideal for this. Looking after your baby’s teeth before they have fully developed is also important so remember to wipe the guns to prevent plaque build up. It is also a good idea to take your baby to the dentist around its first birthday to check dental development.

Children under two should not be brushing teeth with toothpaste, just water, but after that age a small amount is necessary. Make sure to teach your children proper brushing techniques, which you can learn from a City of London dentist. Correct brushing techniques developed early can lead to a lifetime of well-cleaned teeth. And don’t forget to stress the importance of flossing.

Above all, take a healthy interest in your child’s dental development but try not to be too overbearing. Keep trips to the dentist and dental advice fun and rewarding so that your child builds up a positive picture of dental health and it doesn’t become a chore. And remember, City of London dentists are always available to help parents with their child’s dental care.

Dental care advice for parents from City of London dentist

Saturday, January 9th, 2010

Parents can play a very important role in the dental health of their children. It is the responsibility of parents to make sure that children are correctly brushing and flossing their teeth and making regular visits to the dentist for a check up. This can help to keep children’s teeth clean and healthy and prevent costly and uncomfortable dental treatment in the future.

The way you are taught to clean your teeth when you are young can have a huge effect on the way you care for your teeth throughout your life. Being taught to clean your teeth properly as a child can help to encourage good habits for the future. It is also important for parents to make sure their child has the right kind of toothbrush and appropriate toothpaste for their teeth.

Parents can also ensure that their child is receiving the right amount of fluoride for their teeth. In certain areas fluoride is added to the water supply directly to strengthen teeth, but too much or too little fluoride can cadental care

use heavy and unattractive staining of the teeth in later life. In low fluoride areas it may be necessary for parents to supplement their child’s fluoride intake.

For parents of children with braces or other orthodontic devices it is necessary to ensure that your child is wearing the brace for the necessary amount of time and cleaning the device and their teeth sufficiently during treatment. A City of London dentist can provide all parents with any information about orthodontic care and other dental care information they might need for their children.

London Dentist’s Recommendations for Infants

Sunday, July 12th, 2009

The human body is constantly changing all throughout the lifetime of an individual. Most parents are under the misapprehension that oral hygiene for infants is not important since the primary teeth are going to fall off someday to give way to the permanent teeth. London dentists reason that the primary teeth lay the foundation for the permanent set of teeth and hence it is pertinent that parents begin brushing and the flossing activities for their children as soon as possible.

Dentists say that there is no harm to start brushing as soon as the teeth appear. You may not be able to use toothpaste until the baby is 2 ½ years old but until then water can serve as a substitute. Once the baby is 2 ½ years old toothpastes with small amount of fluorides can be used while brushing. Visit your dentist to understand the exact manner in which a baby’s teeth are supposed to be brushed and flossed.

It is just in the initial stages wherein you have to personally do the brushing and flossing. It is necessary that parents supervise their children while they brush until they are around ten years old and the parents must also imbibe in them the importance of flossing. A good brushing habit involves your child having knowledge of the correct way of brushing without leaving the inner surface of the tooth unattended. A good oral hygiene in infants goes a long way in maintaining lifelong healthy teeth for your children.

City of London Dentists can Provide Space Maintainers for Children

Saturday, June 6th, 2009

Not so long ago, people felt that there was no need for a child to see a dentist until their adult teeth erupted. At that point, if the teeth were crooked, or cavities needed filing, a child might be taken to a dentist. Today, many parents are finding out that taking proper care of baby teeth is every bit as important as ensuring that adult teeth are taken care of. Among other things, you may want to consider obtaining a space maintainer from your City of London dentist if a baby tooth falls out too soon.

Unfortunately, there will be times when baby teeth fall out before an adult tooth is ready to take its place. In these circumstances, the tooth will not have a guide to help it line up properly. As a result, the tooth may come in crooked, or even partly rotated. Once the tooth fully enters the mouth, it may even cause other erupting teeth to be thrown out of alignment.

Ideally, your child should have xray studies done in order to see whether or not adult teeth are overcrowded, as well as to determine if a space maintainer is required. Depending on your child’s age and ability to follow instructions, one of these appliances can save a great deal of frustration later on. At the very least, they may eliminate the need for braces, as well as other kinds of orthodontic work. In addition, your child will also have the benefit of learning more about how to take care of his/her teeth properly. This alone can help reduce the chances of gum disease, as well as tooth loss later in life. As a result, getting a dental space maintainer may be one of the best things you can do to ensure that your child has good health throughout life.

London Dentist gives advice on Thumb Sucking

Monday, April 13th, 2009

Your London dentist can answer your questions or concerns about your child’s thumb sucking habit. Sucking is a natural reflex of instinct of infants, which sometimes stays with them into childhood. Thumb sucking tends to give a child a happy and secure feeling. It also allows them to learn about the world around them when they suck on various objects such as pacifiers. Children usually use thumb sucking to relax themselves and to also help them fall asleep. Sometimes children never suck their thumbs and only suck on their pacifiers. If allowed to suck their thumbs while their permanent teeth are forming, thumb sucking can cause numerous preventable problems as the child becomes older. Thumb sucking can cause problems with the proper growth of the permanent teeth and also the roof of the mouth and the pre-maxillary region. All of these can lead to an open anterior bite. Thumb sucking should stop when the formation of the front permanent teeth begins forming; 2-4 years of age. Pacifier use is usually an easier habit to stop for children. Several tips and suggestions that your London dentist has for you are: 1) thumb sucking usually occurs when a child is feeling anxious or insecure, so try to figure out what the causes are and correct them; 2) compliment your child for not sucking their thumb, and don’t give them negative feedback when they do; and 3) try to have your child involved in the stopping process and how they can best succeed to break this habit. Your London dentist can help to explain to your child what the outcome may be if they continue to suck their thumb. If you are not too successful, maybe a sock over the hand at night or some unpleasant tasting medication or foods applied to the thumb may work. However, seek profession advice about what to use before you use these methods.