The Sandstone Dental Practice

Children

The only specialist children's dentist in Merseyside and The Wirral

Overseen by our specialist children’s dentist, Sondos Albadri, our paediatric service is unique in the North West region. Whereas in Europe and the USA it is common practice for children to be seen by a paediatric specialist, the UK is lagging behind in this area – which is why The Sandstone Dental Practice is delighted to offer dedicated dental services exclusively for children.

When to take your child for their first dental check-up

Tooth decay and gum disease are still on the rise among children in the UK – and one reason is a lack of awareness among parents about taking their children to the dentist. At The Sandstone Dental Practice, we urge parents to bring babies for their first visit as soon as those milk teeth appear – or by the age of 1 regardless. With its DCBy1 (Dental Check By age 1) campaign, the British Society for Paediatric Dentistry has made great inroads in addressing the awareness problem surrounding children’s dentistry. Despite what you may think milk teeth are just as important as adult teeth!

FAQs

We appreciate that knowing when to bring your kids to the dentist can be confusing, so we’ve put together a list of our patients most frequently asked questions for your convenience.

Even if they haven’t got any teeth, we recommend that all children are seen by a dentist before their first birthday, and this can be as simple as bringing them with you during your own check-up. This will not only eliminate any potential risks, but also establishes the dentist as a familiar and fun place to be.

As soon as those milk teeth come through! Even babies can start getting used to the idea of brushing, and the earlier you give them a toothbrush, the more likely they are to comply with oral hygiene in the future. As more teeth come through, brush regularly and then encourage them to attempt their own brushing while you supervise. From birth to 3 years, use a flat smear of adult toothpaste with at least 1000ppm (parts per million) of fluoride in it. After the age of 3, a small pea-sized amount can be used. Children learn good habits from watching what happens in the home, and you can set a good example by brushing and flossing your own teeth twice a day.

Sucking is a natural reflex in a young child and a dummy may be a useful aide to help soothe your baby. The important thing is never to dip the dummy in anything sweet and never use a dummy that has juice in it.

If your child reaches the age of 5 and still sucks their thumb or fingers habitually, it may be time to start gently discouraging them, as this is the age when intensive sucking can cause speech or orthodontic problems. Your dentist should be able to advise you on the best course of action.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that prevents cavities and is highly beneficial to teeth, which is why it’s routinely added to toothpaste. At The Sandstone Dental Practice we offer children fluoride varnish, a quick and completely painless procedure that is excellent for preventing child tooth decay.

Fissure sealants are often recommended when the permanent molars erupt, and consist of a plastic seal that is smoothed over the tooth surface, preventing food getting stuck in those hard-to-brush areas.