Hop to it! Look after the wee one’s teeth this Easter

 

As Easter approaches and the temptation to tuck into sugar-laden treats is strong, NHS 24 is encouraging people to take care of their children’s teeth and gums to reduce any long-term damage.

As more than half of Scotland’s children have suffered from tooth decay, NHS 24’s Scottish Emergency Dental Service (SEDS) is promoting the benefits of practising good dental hygiene to reduce the likelihood of children needing to access emergency dental care during the out-of-hours period.

Deborah Devlin, Dental Clinical Services Manager at NHS 24, said: “With Easter looming, there will be lots of chocolate eggs around for all the children to enjoy. It’s important to remember that Easter eggs are loaded with sugar, which can contribute to developing lifelong cavities. It’s not realistic to stop children from eating their Easter treats completely.

“My top tip is to allow the wee ones to eat chocolate eggs after a meal but be sure they brush their teeth afterwards to stop any little bugs developing. Making sure your children have good general dental health by regular brushing, limiting sugary drinks and foods between meals, and regular visits to the dentist are the best ways to prevent them suffering from toothache and dental problems in the future.”

NHS 24 has shared their 6 top tips to cleaning children’s teeth:

1. From the moment a baby’s first tooth appears, brush your baby’s teeth and gums at least twice daily, in the morning and last thing at night.
2. Use a toothpaste containing at least 1000 parts per million (ppm) fluoride.
3. Replace the toothbrush every three months or when bristles start to splay out.
4. Rinse the toothbrush thoroughly after every use and store upright in a clean, dry place.
5. Children should be encouraged to spit out excess toothpaste and not rinse after brushing. This helps the fluoride toothpaste work harder to strengthen the teeth.
6. Children who are unable to brush their teeth unaided should be assisted to do so, until about seven years of age.

If you or your child is in urgent need of dental assessment over the Easter holiday weekend, call NHS 24 on 111.

If you want to find more information on keeping your child’s smile healthy, visit www.child-smile.org.uk