The importance of preventative dental visits from a young age

For many parents, a family visit to the dentist is one of the last things they have in mind when it comes to busy schedules and daily tasks. A UK survey into general oral care, carried out by Mintel Global Market Research in May 2014, revealed that out of nearly 500 parents of children under the age of 12, nearly half did not see the dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings. More alarmingly, only 1 in 5 parents thought their children needed to see a dentist once they had developed baby teeth. It seems no wonder that approximately 30% of children in the UK develop tooth decay by the age of five.

Dentist in Harley StreetAt Harley Street Dental Clinic, we understand that visiting the dentist for the first time may not be the most enjoyable experience for a child. However, with the advent of modern dentistry, going to the dentist nowadays is not the same experience it used to be a few decades ago. Our experienced and caring dentist in Harley Street will ensure that your child will feel comfortable at every stage of the procedure and will strive to involve them in the process in order to learn how to take good care of their teeth. We encourage our patients to bring their children to our practice as soon as their first teeth erupt.

Good dental habits begin at a young age

In order to help your children develop good dental habits and to build a positive image for the dentist, it is a good idea to teach your children how to brush and floss their teeth thoroughly at home. Brushing and flossing can be a fun experience if you use specially-designed toothbrushes and toothpaste exclusively made for children.

If your children are really young and cannot yet understand the concept of the dentist, you can help them with role playing games at home. This way they will feel more comfortable when they visit the dentist in Harley Street.

Your child can begin regular dental visits to the dentist in Harley Street as early as six months of age when their first tooth appears for preventative reasons.

Contact us today, to book an appointment for you.