Children

All children are entitled to dental treatment free of charge through the NHS if they are under the age of 19 and in full-time education. The provision of dental care on the NHS for all patients, including children, is subject to availability.

Most children begin to lose their baby teeth when they are between the ages of 4 and 6. By the age of 12 and 13, most children will have 28 adult teeth with wisdom teeth typically emerging between the ages of 17 and 21.

As any parent will know, cutting back on sugary foods is easier said than done when they are so prevalent in our society. The first step to protecting your children from the harmful effects of sugary foods is to encourage them to enjoy healthier snacks – such as fruit or cheese. It’s also a good idea to restrict treats to mealtimes as this helps to naturally counter the effects of sugar. Use a smear of fluoride toothpaste when brushing twice daily and make sure the child spits after brushing.

At Andrew Lee Dental Practice, we generally recommend that your child should start visiting the dentist every six months after their first ‘milk teeth’ appear. This helps them to become familiar with the environment so they know that there is nothing to fear!