Why bring a baby
to the dentist?
Contrary to what you might think, baby teeth are just as important as adult teeth! They play a crucial role in your little one’s developing speech and facial features, and help them get the right nutrition for their age. With baby-tooth decay and removal becoming increasingly common among children in Ireland, it’s more important than ever that you bring your child to the dentist early and often. You don’t need to make a special appointment for babies and toddlers – we can take a look at their teeth for free when you come in for your own check-ups. Bringing your child to see us regularly is the key to creating positive experiences of the dentist that remain with them as they grow – and this translates into fewer brushing battles at home and a higher awareness of the benefits of oral health.
Preventing tooth decay
in Dún Laoghaire
As well as giving parents and children tailored advice on looking after their teeth at home, we may also recommend fluoride varnish and fissure sealants – regular protective treatments that can bolster their defence against tooth decay caused by sugary foods and drinks. Fluoride varnish is a very quick and simple procedure, which involves a gel being painted onto your child’s teeth using a soft brush. Fissure sealants are applied to the back chewing teeth, creating a smooth surface that prevents food from getting stuck in the deep crevices of newly emerged adult teeth.
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FAQs
What happens when milk teeth fall out too soon?
When baby teeth fall out too early due to tooth decay, it will be many years before the adult teeth emerge. As well as impacting on your child’s speech and ability to chew, the gaps in their smile can cause developing adult teeth to move and come through in the wrong place, and even affect facial development. Rectifying this in the future can involve very invasive treatment, such as lengthy orthodontics and jaw surgery. At Killane Dental Care, we urge parents to bring their children to see us twice a year so that we can monitor their development and address any problems quickly and easily.
Is it ok to give my child a soother?
Sucking is a natural reflex in a young child and a soother may be a useful aide to help soothe your baby. The important thing is never to dip the soother in anything sweet and never use a soother that has juice in it.
When should my child stop sucking their thumb?
If your child reaches the age of 5 and still sucks their thumb or fingers habitually, it may be time to start gently discouraging them, as this is the age when intensive sucking can cause speech or orthodontic problems. Your dentist should be able to advise you on the best course of action.
Why is fluoride important?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that prevents cavities and is highly beneficial to teeth, which is why it’s routinely added to toothpaste. At Killane Dental Care we offer children fluoride varnish, a quick and completely painless procedure that is excellent for preventing child tooth decay.
How often should my child clean their teeth at home?
Brush their teeth for two minutes, twice a day, with a fluoride toothpaste. You can also use flossing sticks to gently remove plaque and food from between their teeth.
How can I reduce the sugar in my child’s diet?
A healthy, balanced diet full of leafy greens and fibre is the best option for keeping children’s teeth free of cavities – but of course, it’s hard to avoid sugar altogether. So our best advice is that when it comes to sugar, think frequency rather than quantity. If your child is going to eat a bag of sweets, it’s better they do it in one sitting, ideally at mealtimes, rather than pick at it continually throughout the day. This approach limits the number of times your child’s teeth is exposed to harmful sugars, which keeps tooth enamel nice and strong. At mealtimes, teeth are naturally less vulnerable, with more saliva being produced to wash away foods and drinks. You can also counter the effects of sugar with a cube of cheese, which neutralises acid and is a great source of calcium.