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Going to the dentist yourself might not be your favourite activity, but it’s important to establish a routine for your children. Particularly as research from the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry (BSPD) shows that one in eight children show signs of dental decay by the time they are three. To help give your baby’s teeth the best start, we look at when you should take them to the dentist for the first time, and what you can do to encourage healthy teeth and gums.
Advice from the BSPD is that you should take your child to the dentist as soon as their first teeth come through. Ideally, they should see the dentist by the time they are one.
If you have a dental appointment for yourself, it’s a good idea to let your child accompany you (if you can). It’ll give them a chance to become familiar with the environment.
The recommendation is for children to see the dentist by the time they are one. Otherwise, there is no fixed age for when your child should have their first dental visit.
Your dentist will try to look at your child’s teeth. This is to check how many teeth they have, how they’re growing and to spot any signs of decay or potential developmental problems. It also gives you an opportunity to ask any questions or raise any concerns.
However, don’t worry if your child refuses to open their mouth. Most experienced dentists will be used to this. It’s more important to establish the habit of going to the dentist and getting used to being there and building a routine, so don’t be put off by your child’s reluctance.
Your dentist will recommend how often you should schedule visits for your child but it’s usually every six months. Advice from the BSPD is that check-ups should be no more than 12 months apart.
Good oral hygiene which includes dental check-ups, helps minimise any potential issues. Regular visits to your dentist should mean any problems are spotted early before they become serious.
Going to the dentist shouldn’t be stressful for you or your child. If it helps, dental visits should be treated just as any other routine appointment, like seeing a health visitor or going to your GP surgery for their childhood vaccines.
If you want to get your child used to the idea of visiting the dentist, you can encourage them to look at picture books or watch children’s programmes that discuss this. Pretend play can also be a good way to get them to practise opening their mouths so the dentist can count their teeth.
All in all, it’s about reassuring them that going to the dentist is not something to be scared or anxious about.
Dental treatment is free for children under 18. It is also free for anyone under 19 and still in full-time education.
Plus, don’t forget that if you’re pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months, you are also entitled to free dental treatment under the NHS.
If your child shows signs of tooth decay, your dentist will discuss the various options. In some cases, if the tooth is already wobbly, it may fall out naturally before anything needs to be done.
If not, then your dentist may recommend a filling or extraction. If your child needs a filling, your dentist will usually give them a local anaesthetic if they need to drill out the decayed part of the tooth. The filling could be made of a metal amalgam (a combination of metals) or a newer composite filling which is made of resin.
Composite fillings are hardened by a special light so they’re less time-consuming and less invasive compared to traditional metal fillings. However, depending on your dentist, you may not have a choice.
If the decay is extensive, your dentist may suggest the tooth is removed. Your dentist will usually be able to do this under a local anaesthetic. If several teeth need to be removed, you may be referred to a hospital where your child’s teeth will be removed under general anaesthetic by a dental surgeon.
Your regular dentist can carry out tooth extractions, using a local anaesthetic. Normally, your dentist will take an x-ray to assess the area before they remove the tooth.
The extraction itself is usually a simple procedure and you’ll be given aftercare advice you can follow at home. The effects of a local anaesthetic may last for around two hours after it was given. So, although it only numbs the area around the extracted tooth, they should take care not to bite their tongue or cheek.
If your child needs to go to hospital, their teeth will usually be removed while they’re under a general anaesthetic (GA). This means they’ll be asleep and won’t be aware of the surgery. However, the effects of a GA can take longer to wear off so your child will usually need to stay in hospital for a few hours, just to make sure they’re well enough to go home.
Teeth extraction for children and adults is relatively routine. Even if your child needs to go to hospital for treatment under a general anaesthetic, it is considered a safe operation. That said, all operations carry some degree of risk, and this will be explained to you before you agree for the surgery to take place.
If your child has several teeth removed, their mouth is likely to feel sore, there may also be swelling and bleeding. This is normal and you’ll be given advice on how to help them manage this. There is some minimal risk of infection post-surgery but again, you’ll be told what to do and who to call if you have any concerns.
Yes, baby teeth really do matter. Untreated problems or poor oral hygiene can lead to issues that affect their adult teeth.
Not only that, baby teeth are important because they:
Being a parent can be exhausting but helping your child look after their teeth doesn’t need to take up much time; tips include:
Children receive free dental treatment under the NHS, this includes check-ups, fillings, and extractions. Dental care is also free for anyone aged 19 and in full-time education.
That said, you can buy dental insurance plans for children and some dental practices offer their own schemes. These plans work just like other dental policies, so you’ll pay a monthly or annual fee (premium) which covers the cost of your child’s routine visits and essential treatment. Plans are also available from providers such as Denplan. If you have your own private dental insurance, you may be able to add your child to your policy.
If you do want more information about dental plans in general and how they can help you (or your child), let us know. We can introduce you to a regulated broker who can take you through your options either as an individual or as a family.
Disclaimer: This information is general and what is best for you will depend on your personal circumstances. Please speak with a financial adviser or do your own research before making a decision.
Chris is our resident private health insurance and healthcare expert. He has over a decade of experience writing about private medical insurance and treatment. He's Chartered Insurance Institute qualified and is regularly quoted by the national press.
Ideally, you should take your child to the dentist when their first baby teeth start to appear.
If you already belong to a dental practice, you can ask to add your children to their patient list.
However, you don’t have to be at the same practice – for example, if your dentist only takes on private patients, they may not take children on (unless you pay for their treatment).
Otherwise, you’ll need to find an NHS practice – which you can do on the NHS website. If they’re taking on new patients, you’ll normally be asked to fill out a registration form. Bear in mind that you may have to put your child on a waiting list to join a new practice.
