Children FAQs

At Atkinson Brignall we take the prevention of dental disease in children very seriously.   Our Aquabubble has been designed to help children learn more about their teeth and how to prevent decay whilst having fun at the same time.  Aquabubble is a unique facility in this country with inter-active touch screen computers loaded with games and quizzes, with different levels to challenge all ages, all of course with a dental theme.   These computers are situated in our fun-filled submarine room with electronic control panel, working periscope and fantastic undersea mural.

We are always happy to answer parent’s questions in the surgery, however we have tried below to answer some of the most commonly asked questions.

Should I give my baby a dummy, or will it affect the teeth?

Generally a baby who is given a dummy will at some point stop using it, normally at an early age, and not resort to anything else. (Never dip a dummy in anything sweet before giving it to your baby). A baby who is not given a dummy will often suck their thumb. From a dental point of view, thumbs are a far worse problem than dummies.  Unlike a dummy, the thumb cannot be taken away and thumb sucking often carries on into older childhood. Thumb sucking can have marked detrimental effects on the position of teeth, which will then need correction with braces at the appropriate age (generally 11-14 yrs).

How can I prevent tooth decay in my child?

Children’s teeth when they first erupt are always free of decay, therefore prevention should start from the moment the first teeth appear.   It is important to avoid giving babies bottles containing fruit juices/ squash which can cause serious damage to the teeth.

The main cause of tooth decay is not the amount of sugar in the diet, but how often it is eaten or drunk.   The more often your child has sugary food or drinks, the more likely they are to have decay.  It is therefore important to keep sugary foods to mealtimes only.  If you want to give your child a snack between meals, try to stick to cheese, vegetables and fruit, but not dried fruit which often contains a high degree of sugar. Any sweets should ideally be avoided or eaten at mealtimes only.

If your child has acidic fruit juices/ fruit, ie. oranges, regularly this can cause acid erosion in the teeth.   We advise that after your child has had acidic foods or drinks that they wash their mouth out with plain water afterwards to get rid of any excess acid. They must not brush their teeth for at least an hour after consuming acidic foods or drinks.  Drinks such as Coca Cola  are also very acidic. 

Thorough brushing twice a day, with a fluoride toothpaste, particularly last thing at night, will help to prevent tooth decay.  A fluoride mouthwash used daily will provide about a 30% reduction in decay, however these are best used by children over the age of 6 as the mouthwash  must be spat out and not be swallowed.   Additionally, fissure sealants (tooth coloured sealants) can be professionally applied to biting surfaces of children’s teeth to prevent decay.

How should I clean my child’s teeth?

Cleaning your child’s teeth should be part of their daily hygiene routine.  When the first teeth start to come through, try using a children’s toothbrush with a small smear of toothpaste. We find it best if the parent kneels on the floor, and the child lays down with their head in the parent’s lap, so the parent is behind the child. That way, the brushing action is more akin to brushing your own teeth and the child is not so able to move their head away.  Once the teeth have come through, use a small-headed soft toothbrush in small circular movements and try to concentrate on one section at a time.   Don’t forget to brush gently behind the teeth and onto the gums.  If possible, make tooth brushing a routine – preferably in the morning and last thing in the evening before your child goes to bed.

When should my child start brushing their own teeth?

A time will come when the child will want to brush their own teeth.  This is fine providing it is supervised and only a small amount of toothpaste is put on the brush. A 2-minute timer will help your child to brush for the correct amount of time (a variety of different coloured timers are available from our Reception).  Remember to encourage your child, as praise will often get results!    Ideally encourage your child to do their brushing in the morning and continue brushing the child’s teeth yourself in the evening.  It is important to supervise your child’s brushing until they are at least seven. 

Should I use fluoride toothpaste?

Fluoride comes from a number of different sources including toothpaste, specific fluoride applications and perhaps the drinking water (though there is very little in the Sevenoaks area).   These can all help to prevent tooth decay.  The amount of fluoride in pastes varies significantly. Toothpastes for very young children contain far less fluoride than for an older child or adult. Always use a paste appropriate for the child’s age unless specifically told otherwise by your dentist. You can check the level of fluoride on the packaging of the toothpaste, but these can sometimes be confusing..  Children should be supervised up to the age of 7, and you should try and ensure that they spit out the toothpaste and not swallow it, if possible.

What sort of brush should children use?

There are many different types of children’s toothbrushes available, including brightly coloured brushes, those with favourite characters on the handles, musical brushes and some electric brushes with timers.   These all encourage children to brush their teeth.  The most important point is to use a small-headed toothbrush with soft, nylon bristles, suitable for the age of your child.

When should I take my child to the dentist?

It is recommended that children should visit the dentist with their parents as soon as possible, just to observe what goes on.  You should take them regularly, as often as your dentist recommends. Often a child will sit in their pushchair watching what is going on around.  This will let them get used to the noises, smells and surroundings and prepare them for future visits.  The earlier these visits begin, the more relaxed the children will be. At Atkinson Brignall, we have Aquabubble which provides fun and education and creates a positive outlook towards dentistry.   

But what if my child is nervous about going to the dentist?

Children will often pick up on their parents’ anxiety, so it is important to let your child feel that a visit to the dentist is nothing to be worried about.  Try to be supportive if your child needs to have any dental treatment.  If you have any fears of your own about going to the dentist, we strongly suggest you don’t discuss them in front of your child. In addition, try to avoid any emotive words such as “pain”, “drills” or “injections”, which however well meant, can worry the child.  Regular visits to the dentist are essential in helping your child to get used to the surroundings and what goes on there.   A child can be much more anxious if it is their first visit to a dental practice.  It is much easier to treat a child who is at least familiar with their surroundings and the friendly faces around them, rather than having to encounter new surroundings and people for the first time.