Back to school with happy, healthy smiles

Scheduling your child’s check-up should be part of your back-to-school preparations. Young children should get into the dental habit as early as possible. Even with no visible problems or toothache, regular attendance is crucial.

The dentist will check the permanent teeth are developing properly and flag issues to keep an eye on. If your child is losing ‘baby’ (primary) teeth, and doesn’t like how their mouth looks, new ones will be through in no time. If they haven’t lost a tooth yet, wobbly teeth are normal and mean the tooth fairy is on their way!

Until the age of around seven, children should be brushing with supervision, twice a day. This includes before school. For parents and carers, our team will support you so you know you and your child are doing all the right things. These include how to hold a toothbrush correctly, and using one that is the right size. We will talk about diet, including drinks. There is evidence that children and adults in the UK are still consuming too much sugar, often hidden. Sugar is a major cause of tooth decay and weight gain, and we can suggest ways for all members of the family to cut down.

At the end of your child’s appointment, we may discuss applying a fluoride varnish on to their teeth. This is to strengthen the enamel and prevent decay.

Poor dental health can harm school readiness. Tens of thousands of children in the UK miss school days every year, because of dental pain or infection. Toothache can affect sleeping, eating and their social confidence. Regular attendance at the dentist helps children reduce their risk of decay. It will also establish the building blocks of prevention they’ll need for the rest of their life.

When children get to know their local practice, they will see there is nothing to fear! The team here cares for everyone, from infants through to mature adults. We always tailor our advice, so parents and carers get peace of mind, too. If new and emerging teeth are misaligned, we discuss future orthodontic treatment. Modern orthodontics is ethical, and often achieves wonderful results. Presh Mulay is kind and caring, and is a member of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (BACD), a world-leading academy of skilled clinicians. This means your whole family will receive exceptional care, for a lifetime of oral health.

Start the new school year off right, with a beautiful smile