At Hartog, we encourage children to visit the practice with their parents, sometimes before they even develop teeth as this helps them to become relaxed and used to the sights and sounds of the dental practice.
The whole team works at making each visit a positive and enjoyable experience and we have a special Dental Plan which enables children of registered adult patients to receive a FREE initial check up. Check ups are free for children under 5 year olds and all check ups and treatment of 5 year olds and over are just half the adult rate.
From the moment children enter the reception area they are greeted by a large selection of fun and educational books ranging from “Molly Goes to the Dentist” to “Maisey, Charlie and the Wobbly Tooth” and some great hand puppets with rubber teeth to clean!
We have a preventative approach towards children’s dentistry which includes fluoride treatment, fissure sealants, oral hygiene guidance and dietary advise to help your child develop strong healthy teeth for life.
We also visit local schools with the “Sugar Detective” to help children understand the effects that sugary snacks can have on their teeth and to show them how they should best brush and clean their teeth.
If you have any concerns about misaligned teeth, our in house expert in orthodontics Ross McDowell is on hand to help.
Caroline Patterson
Yes, it is very important to keep visiting your dentist while you are pregnant. Due to hormonal
changes you may notice that your gums bleed more easily during pregnancy. This means that you need
to maintain a very high level of oral hygiene by visiting both your dentist and hygienist regularly.
As a general rule, dentists prefer to avoid carrying out x-rays while people are pregnant.
However, should you be required to have an x-ray, your dentist should be able to offer you
a lead apron to wear over your stomach.
Baby or deciduous teeth have usually developed before your child is born and will start to come
through at around 6 months. All 20 baby teeth should be through by the age of two. The first
permanent adult teeth will appear at about 6 years of age, behind the baby teeth and before the first
ones have fallen out at about 6 or 7 years old. It is usually the lower front teeth that are lost first,
followed by the upper front teeth shortly after. All permanent teeth, except wisdom teeth, should
be in place by the age of 13. The wisdom teeth may erupt any time between 18-25 years of age.
Most children suffer some teething pains. Babies may have a high temperature when they are
teething and their cheeks may appear red and feel warm to the touch. They may also have upset
tummies and dribble more than usual. There are special teething gels that can be used to reduce
the pain. In addition teething rings are available which are cooled in the fridge prior to use.
Cleaning your child’s teeth should be part of their daily hygiene routine. Ideally this routine
should comprise cleaning for 2 minutes twice daily in the morning and at night. You may find it
easier to stand or sit behind your child, cradling their chin in your hand so you can reach their
top and bottom teeth more easily.
When the first teeth start to come through, try using a children’s tooth brush with a pea sized
blob of toothpaste. Always use fluoride based toothpaste. It is important for an adult to brush
your child’s teeth at least until the age of 8 years old. Don’t forget to clean behind the teeth and
onto the gums! It often helps to let your child have their own tooth brush to chew on and do
a little brushing, whilst keeping a separate, neater toothbrush for parents to use to clean their
child’s teeth.
To download our free children’s advice sheet, please click here.
