CHILDREN'S DENTISTRY FROM The Dental Centre Tenterden
At The Dental Centre Tenterden we encourage all parents to register their children at the practice from an early age. NHS dental care for children under the age of 18 is free, and we also accept private child patients for certain treatments that are not available on the NHS.
Establishing a regular, thorough teeth-cleaning regime from an early age is vital, and will help your child maintain a healthy mouth for life. We recommend that children should start visiting us as soon as their teeth start to come through, usually from the age of six months.
Bringing your child along as soon as they have teeth will help desensitise them to visiting the dental surgery and will get them used to sitting in the chair, opening their mouth for the dentist, and to having a dental check-up. We also offer joint appointments for siblings so that brothers and sisters can be seen at the same time.
We focus on preventative dentistry and can show youngsters how to brush their teeth properly to help maintain good dental health. We will give them a general dental check-up to check for signs of decay and can provide fissure sealants, fluoride varnish, fillings and root canal treatment as necessary.
For minor orthodontic correction, we offer treatment with Six Month Smiles, clear, discreet braces that focus primarily on the teeth that show when you smile. Other orthodontic work is carried out by referral.
TIPS FOR HEALTHY CHILDREN'S TEETH
Brush your baby’s teeth with fluoride toothpaste as soon as their first tooth develops.
Children under 3 years old should use a smear of toothpaste, those aged 3-7 should use a pea-sized amount.
Supervise young children when they brush their teeth, and get the dentist or hygienist to show them how to do it properly.
Make tooth brushing and visiting the dentist fun, positive activities.
Ensure your children don’t have too many sugary treats, and make water the drink of choice between meals.