• Childsmile

    Childsmile

Your local Brite Dental clinics are happy to be part of the Childsmile programme for Scotland.

 

What is Childsmile? 

 

Childsmile was created in partnership with various dental practices, nurseries and schools nationwide. The programme’s core is to improve access to NHS dental treatment for families who do not otherwise have access to dental services for their young children. The programme targets those with low incomes or a background in an area with poor child dental care. As a result of the programme, there have been significant improvements in children’s oral health in Scotland.

Childsmile also helps parents or carers understand the importance of baby teeth in developing a child's adult teeth. It lays the foundation by assisting adults in knowing how to improve the dental health of their children.

Dental health support workers involved with the programme provide resources and advice on the following:

  • Health
  • Diet
  • Teething
  • Tooth brushing instructions.

Childsmile at Brite Dental

 

Brite Dental is proud to participate in Childsmile. We offer free dental check-ups every 12 months and any treatments required for children in full-time education. We aid the prevention of tooth decay through the twice-yearly applications of fluoride varnish and also through the application of fissure sealants.

We hope that through the programme, we can see your children through their dental care and continue with them into their adulthood, reducing the incidence of any dental disease and promoting good oral health.

 

When should you start brushing your baby's teeth?

 

Brushing with a fluoride toothpaste should be started as soon as the first milk tooth appears. This will usually be at six months but it can be slightly earlier or later. It is important that toothpaste that contains fluoride is used because it will prevent tooth decay. 

If brushing is supervised, children can use the family toothpaste. It should have between 1,350 and 1,500ppm of fluoride. Brushing should be supervised up to the age of seven.

Children aged six years and below who have no tooth decay can use a toothpaste with less fluoride. However, it should have no less than 1,000pm of fluoride. The quantity of fluoride is always indicated on the pack. You may also ask your dentist to recommend a brand.

Before they reach three years, children should brush their teeth with just a smear of toothpaste. Those aged three to six years need a pea-sized blob. This information is also indicated on the pack and your dentist can also provide guidance about the right quantity.

 

 

What is the best way to brush your children's teeth?

 

Brushing should be done for at least two minutes twice a day; just before they go to bed and in the morning.

Children should be encouraged to spit out excess toothpaste as they brush their teeth, but they should not rinse with a lot of water. Doing so will wash out most of the fluoride and reduce the benefit of using a toothpaste that contains the right quantity of fluoride.

Brushing should be supervised until a child reaches the age of seven or eight years. You can either brush their teeth yourself or supervise them as they do it. Even when they are seven or eight, it is recommended to supervise them time and again to ensure they are doing it correctly and for the recommended time of at least two minutes.

 

How to ensure proper brushing?

 

Help your child to brush their teeth properly by guiding their hand so that they know the right movements to use. Do this using a mirror so that they can see where the brush is cleaning as it is moved all around the mouth.

Make it fun to brush your teeth by using a brush with a cartoon character they like or doing it using a timer. You can also get an electric toothbrush made especially for children.

Discourage children from running around with a toothbrush in their mouth. They may hit it against something and have an accident.

When should you take your child to see the dentist? 

 

The first dental visit should be arranged as soon as the first milk teeth come through. This makes a child familiar with the environment and the dentist, reducing the chances of anxieties or nervousness forming into adulthood. We try to make a trip to the dentist fun, which can help children and their parents relax. 

If there are any problems such as decay or teeth that are not forming correctly, they will be caught and corrected early. Preventative care is essential and much easier on a child than going in when there is a problem. That’s why it’s crucial that your child pays regular visits to the dental surgery. There are no charges for NHS patients.

For more information or to register your child into our programme, please contact us today!