Children’s Dentistry in Clapham

Starting dental care early gives your child the best foundation for a lifetime of healthy teeth. At SW11 Medical Clinic in Clapham Junction, we provide gentle, child-friendly dental care in a welcoming environment, helping young patients develop positive associations with visiting the dentist.

What Is Children’s Dentistry?

Children’s dentistry (paediatric dentistry) focuses on the oral health of infants, children, and adolescents. It encompasses preventive care, early detection of problems, treatment of cavities and other conditions, and guidance on oral hygiene habits. Children have unique dental needs, including the management of developing teeth, the transition from primary (milk) teeth to permanent teeth, and the assessment of jaw growth and alignment.

When Should My Child First Visit the Dentist?

We recommend bringing your child for their first dental visit by their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth appearing. Early visits allow your child to become familiar with the dental environment in a non-threatening way and enable us to identify any potential issues before they become problems. Regular check-ups every 6 months are recommended from this point onward.

Services for Children

Our children’s dental services include comprehensive examinations and monitoring of dental development, fluoride treatments to strengthen developing enamel, fissure sealants to protect vulnerable back teeth, gentle fillings for cavities in milk teeth, extractions of milk teeth when necessary, orthodontic assessment and referral, and dietary and oral hygiene advice for parents and children. Our dentists are experienced in working with children of all ages and temperaments, using age-appropriate language and techniques to ensure a positive experience.

Making Dental Visits Fun

We understand that visiting the dentist can be daunting for children. Our team creates a relaxed, friendly atmosphere and takes time to explain procedures in a way children can understand. We encourage parents to bring children along to their own appointments so they can see that dental visits are nothing to fear. For particularly anxious children, we can discuss sedation options to ensure their comfort.

Pricing

Children’s dental care should be accessible to all families. A deposit of £50 is charged on all appointments.

Children’s dental check-up: From £65
Fluoridation: £60
Milk tooth filling: From £110
Milk tooth extraction: £120
Orthodontic consultation: £80

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age should my child start brushing their teeth?

Begin cleaning your child’s teeth as soon as the first tooth appears, using a soft brush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste. From age 3, use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Supervise brushing until age 7 to ensure thorough cleaning.

Are milk teeth important if they will fall out anyway?

Yes, very much so. Milk teeth hold space for permanent teeth, aid in speech development, and enable proper nutrition through chewing. Premature loss of milk teeth can lead to crowding and alignment problems with adult teeth.

What should I do if my child knocks out a tooth?

For a milk tooth, do not attempt to reimplant it. Clean the area gently and contact us for advice. For a permanent tooth, keep it moist (in milk or saliva), handle it by the crown only, and seek emergency dental care immediately.