How we look after your children’s teeth

Your child’s first adult teeth usually arrive around the age of six, and with good care they’ll need to last 80 years or more. That’s a long time for a tooth, and it’s why we take children’s dental care so seriously at The Gentle Touch.

Free NHS care for members’ children

If you’re a member of The Gentle Touch, your children are seen here free of charge on the NHS until they turn 18. They’re looked after by our dental therapists, who are wonderful at making visits relaxed and even fun, and up to the age of 12 they also see one of our Childsmile nurses each year for brushing tips, diet advice and fluoride varnish.

Most of the time, children’s visits are about keeping healthy teeth healthy. But sometimes an adult tooth needs a filling, and that’s where we do things a little differently.

Fillings built to last a lifetime

When a child or teenager needs a filling on an adult tooth, we place it in exactly the same way we would for an adult. That means a biomimetic restoration: we remove only what’s damaged, then bond the filling to the tooth so it seals out bacteria and supports the tooth from within. It’s built to last for decades, not just a few years.

There’s no extra cost to you. We simply believe a tooth that needs to last a lifetime deserves the best possible start.

Why it takes a little longer

A biomimetic filling takes more time than a standard filling, and we place it under rubber dam. This is a thin, soft sheet that sits around the tooth to keep it clean and dry while we work, which is essential for the filling to bond properly. Many children find it comfortable because it stops water and bits from going into their mouth.

Because these appointments are longer, we only do this when your child is happy and comfortable with a longer visit. Most teenagers manage beautifully, and we’ll always talk it through with you both first. So if a filling takes longer than you expected, or you see the rubber dam, that’s why. We’re taking our time to get it right.

Helping teeth stay healthy at home

The best filling is the one that’s never needed. A few habits make a real difference:

• Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, and spit rather than rinse.
• Keep sweets and sugary drinks to mealtimes rather than snacking through the day.
• Choose water or milk between meals.
• Bring your child for their check-ups, so we can spot anything early.

If your child plays rugby, hockey or another contact sport, we can also make a custom mouthguard to protect those precious adult teeth.

Joining as a family

When you become a member, your children can join too. New adult patients can usually have their first check-up within one to two weeks, and if you’d like to ask questions first, you can book a free chat with one of our care coordinators.

Book a free chat here.

A dentist for me and my family