For children, a little help goes a

LONG WAY IN ORAL HEALTH

BOOK YOUR FAMILY APPOINTMENT NOW

028 7034 2934

FAMILY CARE AND

Children's Dentistry

Dentists not only help adults address their oral health needs, we also teach children how to look after theirs. Our children’s dentists do their best to put your child at ease and address any anxieties for a positive dental experience which can lead to a lifetime of brilliant smiles.

Importance of Childhood Oral Health

Before children are able to talk they are unable to use words to tell you their mouth is sore or if something is not right. A dentist can gently assess a child's oral health and spot any issues, particularly at the start of teething and as the milk teeth begin to erupt.

Children’s oral health affects food choices, desire to eat and their nutritional intake and may impact speech development. Receiving dental screening and care can give children the proper dental health care they need to grow into healthy young adults.

We believe every child needs a dental care plan to prevent tooth decay, gum inflammation and related health conditions.

FAMILY DENTAL CARE

Our clinic is a warm and friendly place for families to receive dental care. Simply give us a call or email us and we’ll make an appointment at a time that suits you.

TREATMENTS FOR EVERYONE

We provide a wide range of dentistry treatments for children, adolescents and adults, and encourage them to take an active part in their oral health.

Child Teething and Oral Health

At around four months of age onwards, a baby's milk teeth start to eruptand the gums become particularly sensitive. This sensitivity may cause your baby to cry, especially when the upper and lower incisors start to appear.

Gum sensitivity in a young child can appear in different forms and at different ages. We provide parents with the necessary guidance to treat gum sensitivity in children aged between four months and three years of age.

Dentists can provide gum soothing treatments for babies suffering with teething discomfort or it may be soothed by gentle gum stimulation with a clean finger, wet cloth or cold spoon. Teething biscuits should be avoided as they are very high in sugar and may affect healthy milk teeth development.

Milk teeth development differs between children. Each child experiences this process differently and dentists are there to guide parents in how to meet their child's teething and oral health needs.

A child's first birthday marks the ideal time for their first dental check-up. Starting early dental care helps children get used to the dentist and dental environments, potentially reducing the development of dental phobia that could otherwise prevent children from receiving the care they need.

The child's first dental check-up should be followed by regular six-month appointments to ensure a dental care plan and preventative programme is in place to meet their oral health needs.
Make your child's appointment today:
028 7034 2934

Childhood Tooth Decay Prevention

Parents are ultimately responsible for their child's oral health and must ensure they receive dental care to help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

We proudly help parents meet this responsibility and provide invaluable guidance on how best to care for a developing child’s oral health needs. Some guidelines include:

Avoiding the use of teething biscuits with high sugar content
Using a dummy - instead of a bottle - to comfort your baby before bed
Not giving a baby milk to drink when falling asleep

It is vital to prevent the onset of tooth decay in children, which can start as early as the moment teething begins. Poor oral health in children can lead to a lifetime of dental problems as well as other serious health conditions.

Childhood Diet and Oral Health

Having a healthy balanced diet prevents teeth and gum disorders from developing in children as they grow.

A good childhood diet is essential for healthy teeth, bone structure and oral tissue development.

To develop a healthy appetite, receive essential nutrition and experience better oral and overall health, children need exposure to a variety of foods in a balanced manner as they grow.

Moderating sugar and acidic foods is a great place to start and dentists can provide further insightful dietary advice so be sure to ask.

KIDS CARE @ WATERSIDE DENTAL

OUR MEMBERSHIP PLAN FOR CHILDREN

At Waterside Dental, we have been using a hygiene led service to educate children and promote good oral health habits at an early age.

It will allow us to maximise your child’s oral health and keep your child dentally fit during the crucial development stages.

ENSURE REGULAR CARE

CHILDREN AGED 2 – 9 £6.95 per month
CHILDREN AGED 10 – 17 £8.95 per month

What does the plan include:
3 visits with hygienists including fluoride

VIEW OUR KIDS MEMBERSHIP PLAN

Dental Sealants in Children's Dentistry

WHAT IS A DENTAL SEALANT?
Dentists recommend that children’s permanent back molar teeth be treated with dental sealants to prevent the onset of tooth decay and cavities.

The sealant protects the teeth from food debris and plaque build-up that can become trapped in the grooves. Children are at risk of tooth decay and its prevalence is high in the UK.

WHY CHOOSE A DENTAL SEALANT?
Unsealed teeth are at higher risk of tooth decay and cavities because bacteria may grow in the hard to clean grooves normally missed during regular brushing.

This bacteria is liable to collect and cause infection in the grooves, causing the need for potentially extensive dental treatments later such as fillings, root canal treatments or crowns. Dental sealants protect these teeth, improve oral health and can potentially save on dental costs.

HOW DO THEY WORK?
Fissure sealants, as the name suggests, seal teeth grooves where tooth decay may otherwise develop.

The sealant is a colourless fluid which is gently brushed onto the tooth surface, and then dried with an ultraviolet curing light. The dental sealant lasts for a number of years and acts to prevent tooth decay.

An ideal time to treat children with dental sealants is when their permanent teeth develop at around six to twelve years of age.

Your dentist will discuss every step of your child's treatment with you.