Children’s Dentistry

Children's dentistry at Pateley Bridge Dental Practice. A general and cosmetic family dentist near Nidderdale, Grassington, Dacre, Dacre Banks and Skipton.

Looking after teeth from a young age means a healthy, beautiful smile for a lifetime

Growing teeth need plenty of attention, which means looking after them effectively at home and bringing your youngsters to see the dentist for preventive dental care.

We recommend seeing children once their first teeth start to grow. Teeth start to emerge at around six months and this is the best time to bring your little ones for their first check-up. This will ensure they get used to the sights, smells and sounds of the dental practice, as well as encouraging a more relaxed approach to attending appointments.

Preventative care for kids

Your dentist can protect young teeth with a fissure sealant, a clear coating that shields the hard-to-clean back teeth by preventing bacteria from entering. Fluoride varnish can also be used to strengthen tooth enamel and make it more resistant to decay.

As well as regular visits to the dentist, an effective home care routine is essential for keeping developing teeth healthy. Your dentist can offer advice about how best to maintain the health of your child’s teeth between appointments. You should start to clean teeth as soon as they appear and continue this as children get older, with supervised brushing twice a day. Flossing can also be introduced when teeth start to touch each other.

As well as cleaning teeth, you should also pay attention to your child’s diet, making sure they don’t consume too much sugary food and drink.