Children's dentistry
We want children to grow up feeling comfortable at the dentist. From first visits through to the teenage years, our team focuses on prevention, confidence and helping every child build healthy habits for life.
A positive start can last a lifetime
Early dental visits are about much more than checking teeth. They help children become familiar with the dental environment, build confidence and learn that visiting the dentist can be a normal, positive part of looking after themselves.
Baby teeth are important for eating, speech and development, and looking after them helps create the foundations for healthy adult teeth. Regular visits also allow us to spot developing problems early and give parents practical advice about brushing and diet.
We recommend bringing children from around 12 months old, or once their first teeth have started to appear.
What happens at your child's first visit?
We keep early appointments simple and relaxed. The aim is to build familiarity and confidence rather than rush children into treatment.
Meet the dentist
We introduce ourselves, chat to your child and give them time to get used to the room and the people around them.
Count their teeth
When they're comfortable, we'll gently look at their teeth and gums and check how everything is developing.
Make it familiar
We can introduce the dental chair, mirror and equipment in a child-friendly way so the environment becomes less unfamiliar.
Help at home
We'll give age-appropriate brushing, toothpaste and diet advice to help you protect your child's teeth between visits.
Private children's dentistry
Private children's care gives us the flexibility to spend more time with your child and tailor appointments to their individual needs.
This can be particularly helpful for children who are nervous, have had a difficult previous experience, need more complex dental care or simply benefit from a little more time and reassurance.
- Longer appointments when extra time or reassurance is helpful
- Greater flexibility around appointment times
- Faster access to appointments
- A wider choice of treatment options and materials where appropriate
- Private children's care led by Dr Lindsey Dixon
Private children's care with Dr Lindsey Dixon
BDS (Hons) · University of Manchester · GDC 258994
Dr Lindsey Dixon leads our private children's dental care. She is an experienced general dentist who enjoys treating both adults and children, with a special interest in children's dentistry and in making dental visits as comfortable and positive as possible for younger patients.
Lindsey graduated with Honours from the University of Manchester in 2015. She has since gained broad experience across private practice, community dental services and hospital settings, caring for patients with a wide range of dental and medical needs, including those with dental anxiety and phobias.
She also provided dedicated care for children outside a standard dental setting. This experience helped develop her approach to children's dentistry, using different techniques to help children feel safe, confident and comfortable while building positive experiences of dental care for the future.
Our Preventative Dental Service
Good habits are easiest to build when children are young. As part of our children's service, younger children may spend time with Jane Knight, our Oral Health Educator, to learn how to look after their teeth in a practical and engaging way.
Jane works with children and parents to make brushing, diet and prevention easier to understand and easier to put into practice at home.
- Child-friendly toothbrushing tuition
- Advice about healthy food and drink choices
- Practical demonstrations using fun props
- A toothbrush to take home and practise with
- Support for parents with brushing routines and prevention
Helping your child feel comfortable at the dentist
A few simple things at home can help make dental visits feel normal, familiar and positive.
Start young
Bringing children from an early age helps the dental environment become familiar before they ever need treatment.
Keep the language positive
Keep explanations simple and positive. Try not to introduce words such as “needle”, “pain” or “it won't hurt”, as children can focus on these words even if they were not worried beforehand. Instead, simply explain that the dentist is going to look at and help take care of their teeth.
Don't build it up
Treat the dental visit as a normal part of the day rather than a big event. This can help prevent children picking up on anxiety.
Let us do the explaining
Our team knows how to describe dental procedures in child-friendly language without introducing unnecessary worry.
Bring something familiar
Younger children are welcome to bring a favourite toy or comfort item if it helps them feel settled.
Celebrate the visit
Praise your child for coming along and taking part, even if all they manage on the first visit is sitting in the chair.
Looking after children's teeth at home
Most dental problems in children are preventable. Good daily habits make the biggest difference.
Brush for two minutes, twice a day
Brush for two minutes every morning and night with a fluoride toothpaste appropriate for your child's age.
Help with brushing
Younger children need an adult to brush or supervise their teeth until they have the dexterity to do it effectively themselves.
Keep sugar to mealtimes
Frequent sugary snacks and drinks increase the risk of tooth decay. Try to keep sweet foods to mealtimes rather than grazing.
Choose water or milk
Water and milk are the best everyday drinks for children's teeth. Fizzy drinks and fruit juices are best kept to a minimum.
NHS children's dentistry at Triangle Dental
We also provide NHS dental care for children, subject to current NHS availability and capacity at the practice.
NHS children's care includes clinically necessary examinations, preventive advice and treatment where required. Children receiving NHS care can also benefit from our Preventative Dental Service, where younger patients may spend time with our Oral Health Educator learning practical brushing, diet and prevention skills.
If you would like to know whether NHS appointments are currently available, please contact our reception team.
Children's dentistry FAQs
Some of the questions parents most often ask us about their child's dental care.
When should my child first visit the dentist?
We recommend bringing children from around 12 months old, or once their first teeth have started to appear. Early visits are mainly about familiarisation, prevention and helping your child become comfortable in the dental setting.
Do baby teeth really matter?
Yes. Baby teeth are important for eating, speech and maintaining space for adult teeth. Decay in baby teeth can also cause pain and infection, so prevention and regular checks are important.
What if my child is frightened of the dentist?
Tell us before the appointment. We can adapt the visit, take things slowly and focus first on helping your child feel safe and comfortable. Private appointments with Dr Lindsey Dixon can also be helpful where additional time is needed.
What if my child won't open their mouth?
That's okay. Particularly with younger children, a successful first visit may simply involve meeting us and becoming familiar with the surgery. We would rather build trust gradually than force an examination.
Do you see children privately and on the NHS?
Yes. We provide both private and NHS children's dentistry. NHS appointments are subject to current availability, while private care gives us additional flexibility with appointment length, access and treatment planning.
What happens if my child needs a filling?
We will explain why treatment is needed and talk you through the options. We use child-friendly language and take the appointment at a pace your child can manage.
When can my child brush without help?
Children usually need help or close supervision with brushing well into primary-school age. Your dentist or Oral Health Educator can advise based on your child's individual ability.
Help your child build healthy habits for life
Whether it's their very first visit, a routine check-up or you have a concern about their teeth, our team is here to make the experience as positive and straightforward as possible.