Why Parents Must Take Better Care Of Their Child’s Teeth

At a time when adults are taking more pride in their personal appearance than ever before, it’s scandalous to discover that more than half of children under the age of four in the UK failed to see a dentist last year.
It is a shocking statistic that could have a devastating long-term effect on the next generation.
While adults take full advantage of the advances in modern dentistry to gain that Hollywood smile – like teeth whitening, dental implants and crowns – more and more children are being admitted to hospital with severe tooth decay.
But why?
As a parent, it is your duty to look after the health and well-being of your offspring. With free dental checks and treatment provided on the NHS for children under the age of 18, I just don’t understand why any parent would put their kids’ oral health at risk.
Children should see a dentist as soon as their first teeth emerge. Not only does this allow the dentist to assess your child’s mouth, it also normalises the process, significantly reducing the risk of children developing an unnecessary phobia of the dentist. They should then book in to see their dentist every 12 months. If not, the risks associated could not only be damning for a child’s baby teeth, but have long-term consequences in later life.
Yet, as we can see, this is clearly not happening, with more than 40% of children under the age of 17 failing to see a dentist.
Modern life can be hugely demanding for parents, but there is simply no excuse for not taking your child to see a dentist for a routine check-up. Some parents may blame working long and unsociable hours, others may irresponsibly highlight the fact that young children will lose their baby teeth any way. Neither is acceptable. The bottom line is parents have to be responsible for their children’s teeth, especially as many youngsters today enjoy a diet high in sugar.
It could be argued that we, as a nation, are becoming complacent about our dental health. With so many advances in dental care – and dentists now able to resolve several issues relatively pain free – Brits may be willing to sacrifice their dental health, knowing that there are numerous options around to rectify their problems at a later date. But there is nothing better than preserving your own teeth and making sure they are strong and healthy.
Give your child the best start in life by allowing them to smile with confidence. Make sure their dental hygiene is up to scratch from an early age and that they attend check ups regularly. Restrict sugary treats and fizzy drinks to an absolute minimum too. Trust me, your children will thank you for it later in life.
If you would like to book your child in for a check up at Grosvenor Dental Practice, call us today on 01782 848708.