Should I visit my dentist during pregnancy and is it safe?

Yes, it is very important to keep visiting your dentist while you are pregnant. Due to hormonal
changes you may notice that your gums bleed more easily during pregnancy. This means that you need
to maintain a very high level of oral hygiene by visiting both your dentist and hygienist regularly.
As a general rule, dentists prefer to avoid carrying out x-rays while people are pregnant.
However, should you be required to have an x-ray, your dentist should be able to offer you
a lead apron to wear over your stomach.

When will my child’s teeth come through?

Baby or deciduous teeth have usually developed before your child is born and will start to come
through at around 6 months. All 20 baby teeth should be through by the age of two. The first
permanent adult teeth will appear at about 6 years of age, behind the baby teeth and before the first
ones have fallen out at about 6 or 7 years old. It is usually the lower front teeth that are lost first,
followed by the upper front teeth shortly after. All permanent teeth, except wisdom teeth, should
be in place by the age of 13. The wisdom teeth may erupt any time between 18-25 years of age.

What will be the impact of teething on my child?

Most children suffer some teething pains. Babies may have a high temperature when they are
teething and their cheeks may appear red and feel warm to the touch. They may also have upset
tummies and dribble more than usual. There are special teething gels that can be used to reduce
the pain. In addition teething rings are available which are cooled in the fridge prior to use.

How should I clean my child’s teeth?

Cleaning your child’s teeth should be part of their daily hygiene routine. Ideally this routine
should comprise cleaning for 2 minutes twice daily in the morning and at night. You may find it
easier to stand or sit behind your child, cradling their chin in your hand so you can reach their
top and bottom teeth more easily.

When the first teeth start to come through, try using a children’s tooth brush with a pea sized
blob of toothpaste. Always use fluoride based toothpaste. It is important for an adult to brush
your child’s teeth at least until the age of 8 years old. Don’t forget to clean behind the teeth and
onto the gums! It often helps to let your child have their own tooth brush to chew on and do
a little brushing, whilst keeping a separate, neater toothbrush for parents to use to clean their
child’s teeth.

To download our free children’s advice sheet, please click here.