Children’s Dental Health
Tooth decay is the most common oral disease affecting children and young people in England, yet it is largely preventable. Although oral health is improving in England, recent oral health surveys of 5 year olds showed that just under a quarter have tooth decay.
- It is very important to bring your child to the dentist as soon as their first baby teeth begin to come through (usually 6 months old).
- As your child grows older with us, we can begin looking at orthodontic examinations if necessary, but this usually occurs from 11 years onwards.
Dental Health during pregnancy
When you go to the dentist, make sure they know you’re pregnant. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can make your gums more vulnerable to plaque, leading to inflammation and bleeding. This is also called pregnancy gingivitis. Some women get sore gums, which may bleed in pregnancy. Bleeding gums are caused by a build-up of plaque on the teeth. Severe cases of gum disease during pregnancy has been linked to higher blood pressure, which if left unchecked heightens the risk of pre-eclampsia. This condition begins around the 20-week mark and can be very serious in nature.
- Pregnancy hygiene will help to remove all plaque and tartar, thereby reducing the risk of gum disease and in turn protectingmother and baby.
- Maintaining excellent oral hygiene is always important but never more so than while pregnant.
