Dental Advice for your child aged 11 – 18 years old

Dietary Advice

Eat three main meals a day and limit squash or fizzy drinks to mealtimes. Many foodstuffs and drinks contain hidden sugars so check the labels, this includes sauces too, for example tomato ketchup contains a lot of sugar.

In between meals drink water.

Try to use sugar free medicines when available.

Dental Advice

Encourage your child to brush their teeth twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste. It is important that the toothpaste contains 1450ppm fluoride to help strengthen the teeth. This is the same as any normal adult toothpaste such as colgate or oral b.

Flossing is also important, the use of interdental brushes significantly improves oral hygiene and gum health.

Electric toothbrushes are much better than manual brushes, they do 80% of the work for you and particularly if your child has braces it is able to get into all the nooks and crannies!

Preventative Treatments

As your child will now have many of their adult teeth it is important that they maintain good oral health, we are able to provide preventative treatments, to hopefully reduce the risk of them developing dental decay and requiring a filling. The first is fluoride application, this is done in the dental chair and ideally the child needs to refrain from having anything to eat or drink for 20minutes after application. We also provide fissure sealants, this is a protective coating applied to the biting surfaces of their back teeth (molars) with the aim to prevent decay developing. These are available as part of the children’s plan if your child is a member. For more details ask your dentist or our friendly reception team.

From aged 11 years old, your dentist will start monitoring and assessing whether or not your child may need orthodontic treatment (braces). There are many factors to consider and when appropriate your child may be referred to an orthodontic for assessment. For braces to be fitted, your child must have good oral hygiene in the first place.

Sports Guards/Gum Shields

Also, at the age of 11 years old and onwards your child may start playing sports such as rugby or hockey. It is so important that they wear the right, well fitting gum shields to prevent traumatic injury to their teeth. We can have a professional gum shield made at our practice. Ask your dentist for more information.