Got a question about your child's teeth? Here are some answers

Here at Dental Concepts in Hampshire we regularly see child patients for their scheduled dental appointments in order to keep their gums and teeth healthy.

We tailor all appointments to the needs of our patients, as some require specific help such as oral hygiene and dietary advice, fissure sealants, the application of fluoride or orthodontic advice.

Dr Beena Assraff works on the majority of our children’s dentistry treatments and has given many a young patients a healthy and happy smile. Beena is very qualified to deliver these treatments and has been working with us here at Dental Concepts for over four years. Here are a few questions Beena has answered for us:

Question: Do you really need to brush baby teeth if they fall out anyway?

Dr Beena Assraff: To put it simply, yes you do. Not brushing will lead to plaque build-up, tooth decay, and gum disease. This can lead to pain as well as bone loss in the jaw, which will hinder the growth of adult teeth. In fact, its not just essential to brush, it is also important to start flossing your child’s teeth as soon as they have two teeth that touch. Beginning these habits from an early age can encourage excellent oral health behaviors in later life.

Question: Is it safe for children use toothpaste for adults?

Dr Beena Assraff: Family toothpaste is safe for children as long as you supervise brushing to ensure they don’t eat it. There are various kinds of toothpaste specifically designed for children under the age of six and they tend to have lower doses of fluoride in them. If your child has no tooth decay, these are fine for them to use if you prefer – in fact, many of them are flavored or have their various favorite characters on and can be great aids to make toothbrushing more fun.

Question: Why should children get fluoride varnish treatment?

Dr. Beena Assraff: Fluoride varnish treatment can be applied to both baby and adult teeth, usually from the age of three. If your dentist thinks your child needs it, the treatment can be applied earlier on. It helps to prevent decay by strengthening the tooth enamel and making it more resistant to acid attacks from plaque and bacteria.

It is a particularly good treatment for children as it is not always easy to brush their teeth as well as you would possibly like to, so it provides extra protection for their developing dentition. It should be noted that a good oral health regime should still be applied at home even if the teeth have been treated with fluoride varnish.

If you have any questions, be sure to book an appointment with us today. Drop into the practice at 67 Winchester Road, Whitchurch, Hampshire, RG28 7HW or call us on 01256 893 517