Regular check-ups essential for children’s dental health

Regular check-ups are crucial and with the new school year starting, it is a good time to make sure your children are looking after their teeth in the best way possible

We all know how difficult it can be making sure your children look after their teeth, whether that is getting them to brush regularly or bringing them to go to the dentist for check-ups. With summer over and school starting again, now is an excellent time to get them into a regular routine. This includes brushing and flossing but also looking at what they are eating and drinking.

We asked Dr Jennifer Collins, Clinical Lead General Dentist here at Northumberland Dental Care and a mother of three herself, about the best ways to make sure your children maintain good, strong teeth.

What advice would you give to parents about their children’s teeth?

The food and drinks you give to your child have an immediate impact on their oral health. So know you enemies by looking at labels and becoming more aware of those products that are high in sugar and acid.

Many food and drinks which you may think are healthy are actually quite damaging to teeth. For example, a glass of fresh orange juice, although it contains some vitamins and fibre, is full of sugar. Although this sugar is naturally occurring, it is still processed in the body the same way and can cause dental cavities. The phrase ‘No added sugar’ on a label also does not mean sugar-free. You also shouldn’t let harmful foods be the last thing your child eats at night.

What should we let our children eat?

Drinking water or eating higher pH foods, such as milk, cheese and non-dairy milks, after acidic ones can bring down the acidity levels and help reduce dental decay. Drinking plenty of plain water really is key, as are regular dental check-ups from a young age

You should also try to add more ‘teeth-cleaning’ foods to your children’s diet. The texture of a crisp apple, celery, pear or raw cauliflower and broccoli can scrub away the starchy and sugary residues that create plaque and feed bacteria.

It is also worth encouraging them to drink ‘bad’ drinks using straws, as these can reduce the amount of contact your children’s teeth have with juices and other acidic drinks. Paper straws are readily available these days and are more environmentally friendly.

What’s the best way to make sure children look after their teeth?

Brushing is so important for maintaining healthy teeth and gums in your child. The most effective way for children to learn a behaviour is to watch their parents. When your child sees you brushing and flossing regularly, they will want to emulate you.

Practising good dental health together can be fun and productive, and it will allow you the chance to make sure your child is using proper brushing techniques and spitting out the toothpaste.

Making a family activity out of brushing and flossing will help your child turn learned behaviour into habits that will last a lifetime.

Is there still some anxiety among children about going to the dentist?

Thankfully, most children are very happy to see the dentist these days! Regular check-ups from a young age can help reduce any anxiety that a child may have. There are also many books and videos online to help prepare your child for the dentist to make the visit as pleasant as possible.

All our dentists in Northumberland Dental Care and throughout  Dental Care Ireland are highly trained professionals and love to see children in their practices.

How important is it that teenagers go for regular check-ups? And how do we make sure they do?

Teenagers have very busy lives. Studying for exams, participating in after-school activities and trying to cultivate a social life take up so much time that they may not even stop to think about their dental health.

As parents, you want to make sure that your kids practise good oral hygiene, but you may not know how to help them. I would advise you to educate your child in the benefits of taking the time to brush and floss their teeth regularly. Sit down and chat to them about the importance of diet and keep an eye on what they are spending their money on.

What’s the best way to deal with bad habits?

Many people start drinking tea and coffee in their teens; if they do, ensure they don’t add any sugar. Vending machines, full of sugar-laden drinks, are easily accessible in many schools and sports venues, so make sure your children are aware of the damage sugar does.

Bad habits are easily formed and are often hard to break! Make sure your teenager wears a mouthguard when playing sports.

And, perhaps most importantly, make sure they attend their dentist regularly. Prevention is always better than cure and if dentists spot problems, they can warn children first. Often, they will take advice from professionals more readily than from ‘nagging’ parents. So many teenagers will also need orthodontic treatment to correct overcrowding of teeth and early intervention is key.

To find out about all the general, specialist and cosmetic treatments available in Northumberland Dental Care and to book an appointment, visit our website here: www.dentalcareireland.ie/nidm/