We want every child to feel safe, comfortable and confident when they visit us
As a family-run dental practice, we understand how important it is to find a dentist you can trust with your children.
From those very first milk teeth through to the arrival of their adult teeth, our friendly team is here to help your child develop healthy habits that can last a lifetime. We take the time to get to know each child, explain things in an age-appropriate way and make their visits as positive and relaxed as possible.
Our aim isn’t simply to treat children’s teeth – we want to help children build a positive relationship with dentistry from an early age.
Why children’s oral health matters
Healthy teeth and gums are an important part of your child’s overall wellbeing. Dental problems can affect eating, sleeping, speaking, concentration at school and a child’s confidence.
Milk teeth may only be temporary, but they have an important job. They help children chew their food, develop clear speech and maintain the space needed for their permanent adult teeth.
The good news is that tooth decay is largely preventable. Establishing good habits early can make a huge difference. The two most important things you can do at home are:
- Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
- Limit both the amount and frequency of sugary foods and drinks
We’ll work with you and your child to make these habits achievable and enjoyable.
Making the dentist somewhere they don’t mind going
We know that a dental practice can sometimes seem like an unfamiliar place to a child. New sounds, smells and equipment can feel overwhelming, particularly if they haven’t visited a dentist before.
Our experienced clinical team has worked with children for many years and understands the importance of patience, reassurance and building trust. We never want children to feel rushed or pressured.
Many of our children’s appointments are provided by our Dental Therapist, Sophie Burdett, who particularly enjoys working with younger patients. Sophie loves helping children understand how to look after their teeth and encouraging them to take an active interest in their own oral health.
We believe that a child who leaves the dentist feeling proud of themselves is already taking an important step towards a lifetime of good dental health.
Children’s dental treatments
Our team provides a wide range of preventative and restorative treatments for children.
-
Plaque disclosing
Disclosing tablets or solutions use a safe dye to highlight plaque that may otherwise be difficult to see, so children can see exactly where they need to brush more effectively. Newer plaque shows in pink and older plaque in darker colours, making brushing more visual and engaging.
-
Oral hygiene instruction
Personalised brushing advice for children and parents, including practical techniques and tips for making twice-daily brushing part of your child’s routine, adapted as their teeth and independence develop.
-
Fluoride varnish
Applied to the teeth to help strengthen enamel and make teeth more resistant to decay. Your dentist or Dental Therapist will assess your child’s individual risk and advise whether it’s appropriate.
-
Fissure sealants
A preventative treatment for permanent back teeth as they erupt, often around age 6–7. A thin protective coating is placed into the natural grooves where food and plaque become trapped, helping reduce the risk of decay.
-
Children’s fillings
Identifying and treating decay early helps prevent it progressing deeper and causing pain. Baby teeth matter for several years – maintaining them supports chewing and speech development and preserves space for the adult teeth.
-
Pulpotomy
If decay reaches the nerve chamber of a baby tooth, a pulpotomy may be appropriate: removing the affected nerve tissue from the crown before placing a suitable medicament and restoring the tooth with a strong filling material or a stainless-steel crown.
-
Extractions
Our priority is always to preserve healthy teeth. However, if a baby tooth has extensive decay and can no longer be predictably restored, extraction may be necessary – particularly if it is causing significant pain or infection. We’ll always explain why and discuss the options.
Regular dental visits allow us to monitor how your child’s teeth and jaws are developing, identify potential problems early and give you practical advice before small issues become bigger ones. We can also provide clear aligner treatment and orthodontic gum shields for children and teenagers where appropriate.
Affordable children’s dental care
We want excellent children’s dentistry to be accessible to families, which is why we offer a range of dental membership plans.
- Denplan Children’s Plan – for children up to age 12
- Denplan Teenagers’ Plan – from ages 13–17
- Plans start from £5 per month
- One free child plan per parent on a qualifying Denplan Essentials Plan, for children up to age 12*
*Terms and eligibility apply. Please speak to our team for full details.
School Toothfairy Visits
We believe that children’s oral health education shouldn’t stop when they leave the practice. As part of our commitment to supporting families in our local community, we work with local Tameside schools through our School Toothfairy Visits.
These visits are educational, interactive and fun, helping infant school children learn about:
- How to brush and look after their teeth
- Healthy meals and snacks
- Wobbly milk teeth and growing adult teeth
- What happens when they visit the dentist
- How to feel more confident about dental appointments
No dental examinations, check-ups or treatment take place during these visits. The focus is on education, prevention and helping children feel positive about looking after their teeth.
Ready to introduce your child to The Peaks Dental?
From your child’s first dental visit to their teenage years and beyond, we’re here to support their changing dental needs. Call us or come in and meet our team – we’d be delighted to welcome you and your family.
