If you have a very young baby then we’d love to see them in our Leeds surgery by their first birthday, and preferably as soon as they get that first tooth. Some parents and caregivers are under the mistaken impression that baby teeth are not very important when in fact they have a vital role to play. Primary teeth act as placeholders for adult teeth and help to ensure they come through in the correct positions. In addition these baby teeth are essential in helping your child to learn to speak properly. Having teeth makes it much easier to eat a balanced diet, so it’ll be easier to ensure they are well-nourished and that their bodies have everything necessary to grow properly. Sometimes the last primary teeth don’t fall out until approximately the age of 12, so it is important to make sure these baby teeth remain free from disease.

Getting Them Used to Visiting the Dentist Early

There’s another good reason for bringing them into our Leeds surgery while they are still very young, as it will help get them used to visiting the dentist in Leeds on a regular basis. They’ll realise that dental visits are nothing to be afraid of, and will simply see them as being a normal part of life. In addition great dental care early on will help minimise the risk of any diseases such as gum disease or tooth decay, so your child is less likely to need any treatment other than a check-up.

Don’t Let Your Child Fall Prey to Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

One of the problems that can develop in young children is something called Baby Bottle Tooth Decay. This usually occurs when a baby is put to sleep with a night-time bottle that contains some sort of sugary substance, and generally develops between the ages of one year and 18 months. It can also arise if a child is regularly given a sweetened dummy to suck. It’s a disease that can progress very rapidly and it can be quite upsetting for both the parent or caregiver, and the child.

Bringing your child to visit us before the age of one will give us a chance to diagnose any problems such as tooth decay, and to check that their teeth are developing normally. Leeds City Dentalcare can also give you lots of advice on how best to look after your baby’s teeth. We can show you techniques on how to clean them properly through using a proper child sized toothbrush, and will advise you on whether or not it’s a good idea to use fluoride toothpaste. We may recommend you don’t use fluoride toothpaste until your child is aged two or older and is able to spit out the excess. In any case you only need a tiny smear of toothpaste to clean your baby’s teeth. It is essential to do this task for them until they’re about seven years of age, and even when you think they’re capable of doing it themselves it’s a good idea to supervise them. You may want to let them brush their teeth in the morning, but to make sure you brush them in the evenings just before bedtime.

Hopefully bringing your child to Leeds City Dentalcare before they have had their first birthday will put them on the road to a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.