Helen had a Mum ring today, she is not a patient of ours but her 4 year old daughter is booked next  week for a General Anaesthetic in hospital  to have 10 teeth removed. The little girl's Mum is beside herself, she was buying apple and fresh orange juice thinking it was good for her daughter, no one told her not to give it in a bottle. Helen is a qualified midwife as well as being Mike's wife and Practice Manager these days but feels midwives and health visitors should be giving this advice as well as dentists:

• Only milk and water in bottles, never add sugar
• If you have to introduce your baby/child to juice then keep it to mealtimes only, the fruit acids do much less damage when taken with food.
• NEVER brush teeth straight after having juice with or without a meal, the fruit acids soften the enamel. This means anyone child or adult who has juice at breakfast time should not brush the teeth for at least an hour. if you know you are going to have juice at breakfast then brush before.
• Brush baby as soon as they appear with a small pea sized amount of regular fluoride toothpaste on a small headed soft toothbrush eg Colgate, there is absolutely no need for special child toothpastes
• Get baby/small child on to a regular cup as soon as possible, bottles and feeder cups squirt the liquid
• Keep snacks between meals to a minimum whenever possible
• Take your baby for regular dental examinations, we offer advice in pregnancy and see children under the age of 5 free of charge

We see children under age 5 free of charge if a parent sees us regularly. We have a very special children's plan which helps us work together to give the very best preventative advice, apply protective coatings if needed. This should mean, if you follow our advice,  that your child can grow up without the need for any fillings.