Decayed, missing and filled teeth amongst children in Coventry are increasing and the situation is worsening with the latest results being the worst in 10 years. By the time children have reached the age of 5 the damage to their teeth has been done. However dental decay is preventable.

We are working with child care staff and parents in the NDC area to help Parents and children look after their teeth. This work will be centred on Moat House Children’s centre and will involve the oral health promotion team working with parents and child care providers in the area to improve their knowledge of good oral health practices.   For more information please contact:

Barbara McKellar
Senior Oral Health Promotion Officer
Coventry NHS Teaching PCT
Tel 024 7650 7955

NHS Dentists in the NDC area

There is currently no NHS dental practice in the NDC area. The NHS in Coventry is planning on opening three new Dental practices across the city; one will be in Wood End, for more information please visit;

http://www.coventrypct.nhs.uk/subpage.asp?pageID=142

There are 2 NHS dental practices very nearby:

Bell Green Dental Surgery, 91 Roseberry Avenue, CV2 1NB.
Tel: 024 76 688579

Gentle Dental Centre, 318-320 Bell Green Road, CV6 7HB.
Tel: 024 76 687855

It is important to visit a dentist regularly for dental health checks, your dentist will advise you how often you should attend. It is also important for children to regularly visit the dentist from an early age to help prevent tooth decay. You can take your child as soon as their teeth start to come through so that they get used to the dentist and the routine and they will be less likely to develop any fears about going to the dentist.

You do not need to register with a dentist to get regular treatment. Simply contact a practice offering NHS dentistry and ask for an appointment.

Free NHS dental treatment

You do not have to pay for NHS dental treatment if – when the treatment starts – you are:

• Under 18
• Aged 18 and in full-time education
• Pregnant or a mother who has had a baby in the previous 12 months
• Staying in an NHS hospital and your treatment is carried out by the hospital dentist
• An NHS Hospital Dental Service outpatient
  (however, you may have to pay for your dentures or bridges).

You also do not have to pay if you

• Are getting, or your partner is getting, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or Pension Credit guarantee credit
• Have, or your name is on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate
• Have the right to full help under the NHS Low Income Scheme (i.e. you are named on a valid HC2 certificate).

Babies Oral Care

• Your baby’s teeth need to be brushed as soon as they appear. Brush twice a day, in the morning and especially last thing at night. Use a small-headed, soft/medium-textured toothbrush with just a smear of fluoride toothpaste.
  
  
• Babies and children need to be helped physically with tooth brushing until they are at least 7 years of age.
  
  
• To prevent the development of a “sweet tooth”, avoid giving sweetened food and drink.
  
  
• Introduce your baby to a feeding cup at about 6months. To avoid tooth decay wean the baby off the bottle by the time they are a year old. All babies and young children should be supervised when drinking at ALL times. Valve cups are not recommended.
  
  
• Plain milk and still water are the safest drinks between meals. At meal time’s diluted juice (1part juice to 10 parts water) could be given.
  
  
• If your baby has a dummy restrict the time it is used, don’t ever dip it into anything sweet and never put the dummy into your own mouth (one in three adults carry oral thrush).
  
  
• Many medicines contain sugar and can cause tooth decay if given frequently for long periods of time. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if sugar-free alternatives are available. If possible give medicines at mealtimes and not last thing at night, but check the label first for instructions.
  
  
• Take your baby to the dentist with the rest of the family. Your child will get used to going to the dentist and not be worried about dental visits. Dental advice and treatment is free to expectant/nursing mums until the baby is 1 year old.

Remember tooth decay can be prevented.
Ask you midwife, health visitor or oral health promotion officer for any further advice.

Expectant and Nursing Mums

During Pregnancy

Pregnancy doesn’t cause damage to the teeth. However, due to hormonal changes during pregnancy, some women’s dental health requires closer attention. You may notice that your gums appear to bleed. Your dentist will be able to advise you on any dental concerns you may have.

It is still important to have routine check ups with your dentist during pregnancy and is perfectly safe to do so. As with many other medical areas, treatment is best left until after your baby is born whenever possible. Dental treatment is free during pregnancy through until your baby’s first birthday.

Some women experience morning sickness which may make them want to eat little and often. Try to avoid sugary foods, as frequent sugar between meals can cause tooth decay. A balanced diet, eaten at regular meal times, can improve your dental health as well as your general health.

Oral health care for children over 3 years

Tooth Brushing

Children need help physically with tooth brushing until they are at least 7 years of age.  It is important to start a suitable brushing routine from an early age to prevent tooth decay and gum problems. Let them clean their teeth first (so that they can learn the skill of tooth brushing) and then you need to check that they have cleaned them properly and clean the areas they have missed out.
The easiest way to brush a young child’s teeth is from behind, either with them sitting on your knee or standing in front of you with their back to you. Gently raise the chin resting their head against you so that you are able to look down into their mouth. Then, gently brush each tooth covering all the surfaces.

• Use a small-headed, soft/medium-textured toothbrush.
• A small pea sized amount of family fluoride toothpaste
• Brush the teeth every morning and especially last thing at night before bed.

Diet

A healthy balanced diet is important for any child. To ensure a healthy comfortable mouth avoid giving your child unnecessary sugars.

• Try to keep sweet foods, soft drinks and fruit juices limited and to meal times only.
• Offer tooth friendly snacks, such as fruit, raw vegetables or bread sticks.
• Plain milk and still water are the only safe drinks for teeth between meals.
• If fruit juice is given it should be diluted (1 part juice to 10 parts water), and given at meal times only.
• Fizzy drinks contain sugar and acid (regular or diet) that can have a damaging effect on the teeth.

If fizzy drinks are taken:
Keep them to meal times.
Keep drinking times short.
Use a straw.
Don’t hold or swish them around the mouth.

Dental check ups

 It is a good idea to take your child along when you are going for a simple check up with your own dentist. Ask your dentist when it would be best for your child to have a check up. Prevention is always better than cure. If your child visit’s the dentist regularly any problems will be spotted early, making treatment easier.

Toddlers Oral Care

• Brushing your child’s teeth twice a day, in the morning and especially last thing at night. Use a small-headed, soft/medium-textured toothbrush with just a smear of fluoride toothpaste for under 3 year olds and a pea sized amount for 3 years and over. It is very important that the tooth paste is not swallowed. Rinsing with lots of water should be discouraged – spitting out excess toothpaste is preferable.

•  Children need to be helped physically with tooth brushing until they are at least 7 years of age. Let them clean their teeth first (so that they can learn the skill of tooth brushing) and then you need to check that they have cleaned them properly and clean the areas they have missed out.

• To prevent the development of a “sweet tooth”, avoid giving sweetened food and drink.

• Your child should be drinking from a feeding cup now. All young children should be supervised when drinking at ALL times. Valve cups are not recommended.

• Plain milk and still water are the safest drinks between meals. At meal time’s diluted fruit juice (1 part juice to 10 parts water) could be given.

•  If your child has a dummy restrict the time it is used. Don’t ever dip it into anything sweet and never put the dummy into your own mouth (one in three adults carry oral thrush).

• Many medicines contain sugar and can cause tooth decay if given frequently for long periods of time. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if sugar-free alternatives are available. If possible give medicines at mealtimes and not last thing at night. Always check the label first for instructions.
  
  
• Take your child to the dentist with the rest of the family. Your child will get used to going to the dentist and not be worried about dental visits.

Remember tooth decay can be prevented.

Ask your health visitor or oral health promotion officer for any further advice.