Young teeth need just as much care and attention as adult teeth. It’s wise to introduce your child to the dentist as soon as their very first tooth appears (usually when they are around six months old). Even though there will be hardly any teeth for us to examine at this stage, early visits will help your child feel relaxed about attending dental appointments. You can also pick up plenty of helpful advice about tooth care for tots, including how to use dental tools and dietary advice.
A combination of regular visits to the dentist from a young age, developing a good dental care routine at home and encouraging a healthy diet will help keep your child’s teeth in great condition for life.
For further protection, fissure sealants can be applied to your child’s permanent teeth as they emerge (usually starting around age six to seven). This is a clear plastic coating that covers the narrow grooves on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to stop bacteria from entering and help prevent tooth decay. In addition, fluoride varnishes can be painted onto young teeth to help strengthen enamel and make them more resistant to decay.
