Oral health is very important for children and we are eager to do all we can to make sure our younger patients have beautiful, healthy and sparkling teeth. Decay is one of the most common childhood illnesses, but it is preventable.

Preventing tooth decay

Tooth decay affects thousands of children all over the UK and dentists are seeing children as young as 2 years old with signs of decay. At Harley Street Dental Studio, we take oral health very seriously and we encourage parents and guardians to take steps to protect their children and ensure their teeth remain healthy and strong. Here are some simple tips to help you look after your children’s teeth:

Start brushing from an early age: brushing is really important, so start cleaning your baby’s teeth as soon as they erupt. Use a soft brush and gently wipe the gums; as soon as they start to show an interest in holding the brush, encourage them to learn how to hold the brush and move it around their teeth. Set a good example and supervise brushing until they are old enough to do it independently.

Ensure your children brush for 2 minutes: many children simply move a toothbrush around their mouths for a second and then say they’ve brushed their teeth and this will not actually do their teeth much good. Supervise your child’s teeth cleaning and make sure they do it for at least 2 minutes twice a day; use an egg timer or put on a song to brush along to if they struggle to brush for long enough.

Watch their diet: diet is really important for children, so try to ensure they have a balanced, healthy eating plan. Avoid giving children sugary foods on a regular basis, especially between meals, and take extra care when buying and ordering foods in shops and cafes; try to take a minute to read the labels, as often, foods that seem healthy contain hidden sugars.