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Little teeth, no big deal.
Free NHS check-ups for every child from their first tooth. Short, playful appointments, a grown-up in the room, and a sticker at the end. Nobody is ever held down at Pebblegate.
Fig. 05 · Morning routine · model photo
What to expect, age by age.
First tooth, first visit
Bring your baby when the first tooth appears, and by their first birthday. We'll have a look while they sit on your lap, and show you how to brush tiny teeth.
- Brushing
- Twice a day, a smear of fluoride toothpaste (at least 1,000ppm).
- At the dentist
- A quick lap exam. No chair needed.
- Top tip
- Only milk or water in bottles and beakers, and none at bedtime.
Ride in the chair
Pre-schoolers love going up and down in the chair and counting teeth with our mirror. From age 3 we paint on fluoride varnish twice a year to help protect teeth.
- Brushing
- A pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste (1,350 to 1,500ppm). Spit, don't rinse.
- At the dentist
- Fluoride varnish from age 3, twice a year.
- Top tip
- Help them brush until about age 7. Kneel behind them at the mirror.
Big teeth arrive
Adult back teeth arrive from about age 6. We can seal their chewing grooves (fissure sealants) to keep food and bacteria out. Free on the NHS.
- Brushing
- Pea-sized fluoride toothpaste, two minutes, twice a day.
- At the dentist
- Fissure sealants, fluoride varnish, and an eye on how teeth are lining up.
- Top tip
- Keep sugary snacks and drinks to mealtimes.
Braces, sport and energy drinks
We check whether teeth need straightening and refer for NHS braces when they meet the criteria. Teens can also choose Invisalign privately. Custom mouthguards for contact sports.
- Brushing
- Two minutes, twice a day, plus interdental brushes, especially with braces.
- At the dentist
- Orthodontic check, gum health, wisdom teeth watch.
- Top tip
- Fizzy and energy drinks erode enamel. Use a straw, and drink water after.
Fig. 06 · A first visit · model photo
Your first visit, step by step.
Two minutes, four corners.
Thirty seconds for each quarter of the mouth: top left, top right, bottom right, bottom left. Spit at the end, don't rinse.
Tip: brush last thing at night and one other time during the day.
Ready when you are
A star for every brush.
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