Good oral health for all the family

Oral health has an important role in the general health and wellbeing of families. Poor oral can impact how children and young people sleep, eat, speak, play and socialise with other children.   

For parents, it’s important to ensure your child has a beautiful healthy smile that will last them a lifetime. 

Starting good dental habits in childhood helps to establish a lifetime of positive oral health routines that can prevent dental problems in adulthood. 

Having sugary food and drink throughout the day is harmful for children’s teeth because it means teeth have more contact with sugar and don’t have time to recover. Give your child a varied diet and limit the amount and number of times they have sugar in the day. 

Further information on how to take care of your child’s teeth can be found on the NHS website: Children's teeth

DENTAL TREATMENT  

You're entitled to free NHS dental treatment if you're pregnant when you start your treatment and for 12 months after your baby is born. 

To get free NHS dental treatment, you must have a valid maternity exemption certificate (MatEx) issued by your midwife or GP. 

childrens teeth nhs