A Child’s First Visit to the Dentist

A child’s first visit to the dentist should happen at a younger age, paediatric dentists recommend taking him or her within 6 months of the first tooth coming in (erupting), or by about 12 months at the latest. How to prepare your child for a first visit to a dentist? If possible, schedule morning appointments so young children are alert and fresh. Talk you your child about first visit to the dentist in a positive manner. We recommend talking to your child about their dental visit in a fun and exciting manner prior to the appointment. Prepare a preschooler or older child for the visit by giving him or her Read More…

15 Books to read to your child before going to the dentist

At Happy Kids Dental we recommend that your child visits us by the time they get their first tooth, or by their first birthday, whichever comes first. There are a few ways how you can prepare your child for the first visit, read about them here. Reading to your child about going to the dentist and taking care of teeth will help them prepare for their visit, reduce any anxiety they may have about an unfamiliar situation, and boost confidence. Here are some of our favourite books that we recommend to parents, and kids. Those books will help your child become aware of the experience at the dentist and be Read More…

Cartoons About Dentists for Children

A child’s first visit to the dentist should happen at a younger age. Read more about the first visit to the dentist here. Showing your child cartoons about the experience at the dentist, can help them to become aware of the experience and become prepared for it. With that in mind, we thought it would be fun to look at some cartoon dentists that might be a bit better way to show your children dentistry for the first time. Show your children these fun cartoons about dentists and they might be looking forward to visit us! Peppa Pig – The Dentist This is a funny cartoon about the dentist. It Read More…

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…