The Truth About Fluoride: Busting the Myths

Sarah Tukmachi, one of our specialist paediatric dentists, explores the real truth about fluoride. Fluoride is commonly found in toothpastes, mouth washes and dental gels. But what exactly is fluoride, why do dentists rave about it, and as a parent, should you have any concerns about fluoride? Our specialist paediatric dentist, Sarah Tukmachi, busts the common myths about fluoride. Myth 1: fluoride is not natural Fluoride is a mineral that is present in nature from many sources, from our natural water supply to tea, fish and beer. When added to drinking water, fluoride has been shown to drastically reduce tooth decay. The World Health Organization and Public Health England are Read More…

Introducing #Lovetobrush

#Lovetobrush: let’s get more kids brushing their teeth! We all love that just-brushed feeling, so why don’t we brush more? Several statistics* have really shocked us recently: roughly 40% of kids don’t visit the dentist each year and sugar makes up 15% of the daily calories consumed by four to ten year olds in England. Research also tells us that over a third of all children starting school each year have signs of tooth decay and that tooth extractions are the biggest reason children are admitted to hospital for general anaesthetics in the UK! @HappyKidsDental Day out on a train, still love to brush! #LoveToBrush pic.twitter.com/lxaL9ehV17 — Viv (@VeeJay78) May Read More…

Fluoride – friend or foe?

How much fluoride do children need? Is fluoride bad for them? In a word, no – fluoride is proven to protect teeth against decay, but the debate about whether it should be added to our water has raged for the best part of a century. While the policy is thrashed out by politicians and public health bodies, it falls to us as parents to make sure our children are getting the right amount of fluoride for healthy teeth and happy gums. Fluoride – the facts Fluoride can be found everywhere – in the air, in our water (even non-fluoridated water) and in our food! A mineral that is naturally present Read More…

Can a trip to the dentist EVER be relaxing?

Well, yes! We’re parents too here at Happy Kids Dental, so we understand better than anyone how to help if you have a child with dental anxiety and get them on board with visiting the dentist. From our building to our team and our equipment, we’ve worked hard to make visiting us easy and fun – and to put dental fear firmly where it belongs: in the past. All we ask of you is that you avoid passing your own anxieties or bad experiences on to your child. If they come to us with an open mind, so much the better for creating a lifelong positive relationship with the dentist. Read More…

Get grinning for National Smile Month!

National Smile Month runs from 14 May to 14 June –giving us dentists the perfect opportunity to remind everyone about the benefits of oral hygiene. Here are four ways Happy Kids Dental is working to put a permanent smile on our patients’ faces. We conquer dental fear Nearly everyone has a fear of something or another – but if your child has a fear of the dentist, it can put both their oral and general health at risk. Making dental fear a thing of the past is part of Happy Kids Dental’s remit – and we have put everything in place to make this happen. From our highly trained paediatric Read More…

Doctor or dentist – who do I choose in an emergency?

Kids are always getting hurt. It’s a part of growing up and how they learn. One of the more difficult aspects for parents is what to do when there’s a little more than a bump or a bruise that Mum can kiss better. It gets even more difficult when it comes to facial injuries and deciding where to take your injured child. Have a look at our advice on common childhood facial injuries and our suggestions on how best to treat them and get your kids happy again. Broken or lost teeth Children with broken teeth should see a dentist as quickly as possible. Treatment may include: Smoothing the rough Read More…

Fun Facts About Teeth!

Your children’s brains are constantly absorbing information, whether at school, at holiday or at home. As it’s almost time to head back to school, we thought your children may enjoy these fun facts about teeth! Encouraging an interest in oral hygiene can go a long way in promoting a clean, healthy smile for life. Why not ask your kids if they know these 10 fun facts about teeth? The enamel that covers the outer part of the tooth is the hardest substance in the human body! Inside each tooth is blood vessels and nerves. The side you use to chew your food will be the same as your dominant hand. Read More…

School holidays? Book a family appointment!

School holidays are fast approaching and, although we’re excited for our youngsters to enjoy free time and adventures, this means weeks on end of having to make sure your kids stay occupied and out of trouble. No parent needs dental problems on top of the stress and responsibilities that school holidays can bring. Having to drop everything and rush your child to the dentist can put a spanner in the works, so to speak. Having faced situations like this ourselves, we at Happy Kids Dental offer flexible dental appointments which we believe are essential to fitting into a parent’s busy schedule. If you’re looking for a paediatric dentist in London Read More…

Pain-free dentistry: Why The Wand is a winner with kids

Were you afraid of the dentist as a child? If so, what frightened you the most? We’ll bet it wasn’t the strange machinery or the dental nurse, but the anaesthesia injection. Even as adults, needles can be scary, so you can imagine what they look like to your kids! What if we told you a visit to the dentist needn’t be a negative experience for your own children? Visit Happy Kids Dental, a paediatric dental practice in Marylebone, and see first-hand how we use the latest, innovative technologies to deliver pain-free dentistry to your child. With your child’s individual needs always front of mind, we provide a positive, affirming dental Read More…

Does your child need early orthodontics?

While a mouth full of healthy straight teeth may be the ultimate goal of every dentist, orthodontic treatments provide more than the aesthetic appeal of a perfect smile. Not only do orthodontics treat crowding, alignment and the spacing of your child’s teeth, but they can also correct and prevent serious development issues that affect the jaw joints and muscles in their face. Did you know orthodontic treatments come in phase 1 and 2? While some children only need phase 2 orthodontic treatments, such as fixed braces, once they have their adult teeth, other kids need earlier intervention. Why choose phase 1 orthodontics? You may ask yourself why your child would Read More…