Home
Bupa members

Support and offers for individual members and customers

Caring for your child's teeth Q&As

Published by Bupa's health information team, March 2009.

Answers to questions about caring for your child's teeth

This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.

 

Is it true that dummies can damage my child's teeth?

If your child sucks on a dummy for long periods, it could cause problems in the way his/her teeth develop. The pressure of the dummy against the back of the teeth could push the teeth forward. This could mean that your child will need corrective treatment (such as a brace or having teeth removed) when he/she is older.

Explanation

Many parents use a dummy as a way of comforting their baby, especially when trying to get him/her off to sleep. It's fine for your baby to use a dummy, but only for short periods of time, for example, only when settling him/her to sleep. If your child sucks on a dummy for long periods, it could cause problems in the way the teeth develop. The same is true if your baby sucks his/her thumb or fingers. The pressure of his/her thumb or the dummy against the back of the teeth could push them forward. This may mean your child will need corrective treatment - like a brace or having teeth removed - when he/she is older. Orthodontic shaped dummies can help reduce the likelihood of causing damage.

You should stop your child from using a dummy after he/she is one year old. The simplest way of stopping your child using a dummy is to throw it away so that your child can't find it.

If your baby uses a dummy, it's important that you never dip it into fruit syrups, honey, fruit juices or anything containing sugar, particularly at bedtime. Long-term contact between your baby's teeth and sugars or harmful acids can cause decay.

Talk to your dentist if you're worried about your child's use of a dummy or thumb/finger sucking.

Further information

Sources

  • Common problems - dummies and thumb sucking. British Dental Association. www.bdasmile.org, accessed 29 July 2008
  • McMillan JA, Feigin RD, DeAngelis CD, Douglas Jones Jr. M. Oski's pediatrics - principles and practice. 4th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, 2006:786
back to top

I only give my child drinks with no added sugar, but now my dentist tells me that these still may contain a lot of sugar and should only be given occasionally - why is this?

When labels say that drinks have no added sugar, it means that sugar hasn't been added as an ingredient. Some drinks, such as fruit juices, have a naturally high sugar content even though no sugar has been added. Drinks containing natural sugars can still damage teeth, and should therefore only be given occasionally. Plain water and milk are the best drinks to keep your child's teeth healthy.

Explanation

Food and drink labelling can be very confusing. 'No added sugar' usually means that the drink hasn't had sugar added to it as an ingredient. Similarly, 'unsweetened' usually means that no sugar or sweetener has been added to the food to make it taste sweet. When drinks are listed as having 'no added sugar' or as being 'unsweetened', it doesn't necessarily mean that they won't contain naturally occurring sugars. Some drinks, such as fruit juices, have a naturally high sugar content even though no sugar has been added.

Check the ingredients lists on 'no added sugar' and 'unsweetened' drinks labels. These will tell you the ingredients that have been used, including the types of sweetener and sugar. You can also find information about how much sugar there is in the food in the nutrition panel on the label.

Plain water and milk are the best drinks to keep your child's teeth healthy.

Further information

Sources

  • No added sugar or unsweetened. Food Standards Agency. www.eatwell.gov.uk, accessed 29 July 2009
back to top

What should I do if my child knocks out one of his/her permanent teeth while playing sport?

If your child knocks out a permanent tooth, you should clean the tooth gently by running it under water or milk and replace it in the tooth socket as soon as possible. Your child should bite down on a clean handkerchief for about 15 to 20 minutes while you take him/her to the nearest dentist or Accident and Emergency department for treatment.

Explanation

Sometimes a child will knock out a tooth while playing sport. If this happens, hold the tooth without touching the root, and wash it in milk or water. If the tooth is clean and not damaged, put it firmly back into the tooth socket and ask your child to bite down on a clean handkerchief for 15 to 20 minutes. If the tooth is damaged, or if you can't put it back in, ask your child to keep it in his/her cheek, or keep it in milk while you seek emergency dental treatment.

If your child likes playing a contact sport such as rugby, you should talk to your dentist about getting him/her a rubber mouth guard to protect his/her teeth.

Don't try to replace a milk tooth that has been knocked out as this could damage the permanent tooth underneath. If your child knocks out a milk tooth, your dentist will probably advise you to wait until the permanent tooth comes through.

Further information

Sources

back to top

Related topics

back to top

This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

Publication date: March 2009

 

Rate this page

Up to £100 off a Bupa Health assessment

Bupa health insurance

Free online health check

Bupa Care Homes

Bupa travel cover