Keeping teeth healthy

Dental care should begin as soon as the baby teeth appear. Many parents think decay in the early years isn't a problem because baby teeth fall out and are replaced by permanent teeth. But research has clearly shown children who develop early cavities go on to have higher rates of decay in permanent teeth.

Make sure your kids brush at least twice a day - before bed and in the morning. Bedtime is the most important time to brush. A smear of toothpaste is all that is required. Have them spit out the toothpaste but not rinse with water. Leave the rest of the toothpaste so the fluoride can keep working to protect the teeth.

Emergencies - what to do if a tooth is knocked out

Saving a tooth depends entirely on what is done within the first 30 to 60 minutes after the incident. If a tooth is knocked out:

1. Do not handle the tooth by the root.
2. Do not brush or scrub the tooth. If debris is on the tooth, gently rinse with water.
3. If possible, replant the tooth by gently placing it back in the socket. Get your child to bite together to hold it in place. If unable to replant, place the tooth in cold milk, water, or wrap the tooth in a saline soaked gauze/handkerchief.
4. Contact your dentist immediately. Replantation within 30 minutes has the best rate of success.

Mouth guards

When your child begins to participate in recreational activities and organized sports, injuries can occur. A properly fitted mouth guard greatly reduces the risk and severity of potential injuries to your child's teeth, jaw or lips. It will also stay in place while your child is wearing it, making it easier for your child to talk and breathe. We recommend mouthguards be worn when participating in any contact sport where injury to the mouth can occur.

Diet

Restrict sweet drinks and foods. Fruit juice and fizzy drinks contain a lot of sugar and are high in acidity, which increases the susceptibility of the enamel to decay. The more frequently a child snacks, the greater the chance for tooth decay - thus a short sweet feast is better than slowly sipping a bottle of juice or working through a handful of lollies throughout the day.

Night-time snacks are particularly damaging because the saliva flow, which helps clean the teeth, reduces significantly at night. That's why night-time brushing is so important.

Fluoride

The three main protective effects of fluoride are:

• Fluoride makes teeth more resistant to decay by strengthening tooth surface
• Fluoride interferes with the growth of bacteria which cause cavities
• Fluoride helps repair the early stages of tooth decay

What we offer

Regular care is a leading factor in keeping your child's mouth free of decay. We suggest your child should be seen by a dental health professional every six months.

At Accent Dental Solutions we offer our younger patients a regular six monthly checkup, including Exam, X-rays, and Clean, along with brushing and prevention advice, which we believe is paramount in inspiring your child to brush properly. We are pleased to offer reduced rates for the children of current patients, along with pupils of Bayfield School.

If you would like to arrange an initial consultation for your child, or simply wish to know more about our Children's Dentistry services, please Contact Us.