A children’s dentist in Bushey for the whole family
Good habits and positive early visits make a lasting difference to children’s teeth. As a children’s dentist in Bushey, Caspian Dental Clinic offers private check-ups for children under 12, preventive care such as fluoride therapy and fissure sealants, and practical advice for parents.
Children see the same gentle, patient dentist as the rest of the family, Dr Kimia Mirzakhani, and we take things at your child’s pace. Families come to us from Watford as well as locally, and Saturday appointments mean school isn’t missed.
“…Even my children tell their friends how much they love their dentist!”
Giselle, Google review
When should my child first see a dentist?
NHS and British Society of Paediatric Dentistry guidance is to take your child to the dentist when their first teeth come through, and by their first birthday at the latest.
Early visits are short and relaxed. They help your child get used to the surgery and give you a chance to ask about teething, brushing, dummies and diet.
What happens at a child’s check-up
A gentle introduction
We say hello, explain things in simple words and let your child see the chair, the light and the mirror before we start.
Checking teeth and gums
We look for early signs of decay, check the gums and soft tissues, and see how the teeth, bite and jaws are developing.
X-rays only if needed
We only take X-rays of children when there’s a clear reason, such as checking for decay between back teeth, and we’ll explain why first.
Prevention and advice
We’ll tell you whether fluoride therapy or fissure sealants would help, and give practical brushing and diet advice.
Planning the next visit
NICE guidance suggests check-ups every 3 to 12 months for under-18s, depending on risk. We’ll recommend an interval for your child.
Fluoride therapy (£50 per session)
Fluoride strengthens enamel, makes it more resistant to acid attack and can help reverse the very earliest signs of decay. Fluoride therapy involves applying a concentrated fluoride, usually as a varnish painted onto the teeth. It takes a few minutes and doesn’t hurt.
The government’s Delivering Better Oral Health guidance recommends fluoride varnish twice a year for children from age 3, and more often for those at higher risk of decay. We’ll give you simple instructions about eating, drinking and brushing afterwards. Fluoride helps, but it can’t make up for frequent sugar or missed brushing.
Fissure sealants (£80 per tooth)
The biting surfaces of back teeth have deep grooves (fissures) where food and plaque collect. A fissure sealant is a thin protective coating that fills these grooves. Sealants are usually placed on permanent back teeth soon after they come through, often around age 6 for the first molars and around age 12 for the second.
There’s no drilling or injection: the tooth is cleaned and dried, and the sealant is painted on and hardened. Sealants can wear or come away over time, so we check them at each visit. They protect only the biting surfaces, not the spaces between teeth, and they need a dry tooth, so suitability depends on how far the tooth has come through.
Brushing advice by age
This advice follows Delivering Better Oral Health. Check the fluoride level on the toothpaste tube, shown in ppm (parts per million).
| Age | How much toothpaste | Fluoride level |
|---|---|---|
| Under 3 | A smear | At least 1,000ppm |
| 3 to 6 | A pea-sized amount | 1,350–1,500ppm |
- Start brushing as soon as the first tooth appears, twice a day: last thing at night and one other time.
- Brush your child’s teeth for them, or supervise, until at least age 7.
- Spit, don’t rinse: encourage your child to spit out the excess but not rinse with water, so the fluoride keeps working.
- Keep toothpaste out of reach, and don’t let children eat or lick it from the tube.
Diet, sugar and drinks
- How often your child has sugar matters more than how much, so keep sweet foods and drinks to mealtimes.
- Water and plain milk are the most tooth-friendly drinks between meals.
- Limit fruit juice and smoothies to a combined 150ml a day, with a meal.
- Avoid sugary drinks in bottles, especially at bedtime, and introduce a free-flow cup from around 6 months.
- Ask for sugar-free versions of medicines where possible.
Our blog post on looking after little teeth has more everyday tips.
Making dental visits positive
- Talk about the dentist simply and positively. Avoid words like “hurt” or “injection”, and never use the dentist as a threat.
- Play dentists at home, counting teeth with a mirror and toothbrush.
- Book a time when your child is usually rested; Saturday appointments can help.
- Tell us about any worries, past experiences or additional needs before the visit, so we can plan around them.
- If you feel anxious yourself, that’s understandable. Just tell us, and we’ll go at your pace at your own appointments too.
“Kind, gentle, very patient and professional!”
Tara, Google review
Family appointments
If you’d like your children seen on the same day as you, or as each other, ask when you call 01923 254979 and we’ll do our best to arrange back-to-back appointments. Watching a parent have a calm, routine check-up can also help children feel at ease.
Limitations to be aware of
Sealants and fluoride reduce the risk of decay but can’t prevent it entirely, especially if sugary snacks and drinks are frequent. If your child does need treatment, such as a filling, we’ll explain the options and costs first. For some children or more complex treatment, referral to a specialist in paediatric dentistry may be the best route.
Children’s dentistry questions
How much is a child’s dental check-up in Bushey?
A check-up for children under 12 is £40 at Caspian Dental Clinic. Fluoride therapy is £50 per session and fissure sealants are £80 per tooth, and we’ll only recommend them if we think they’d help.
When should my child first go to the dentist?
Guidance from the NHS and the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry is to bring your child when their first teeth come through, and by their first birthday.
Are fissure sealants worth it?
They can be a good option for children with deep grooves in their back teeth or a higher risk of decay, but they’re not essential for every child. We’ll tell you whether we think they’d help, and the decision is yours.
How much toothpaste should my child use?
Under-3s need a smear of toothpaste with at least 1,000ppm fluoride. Children aged 3 to 6 need a pea-sized amount of 1,350–1,500ppm toothpaste. Encourage them to spit out afterwards but not rinse.
What should I do if my child knocks out a baby tooth?
Don’t try to put it back, as this can damage the adult tooth developing underneath. Call us so we can check for other damage. If it’s an adult tooth, follow the steps on our emergency dentist page and get seen as quickly as possible.
My child is nervous about the dentist. How can you help?
It’s very common for children to feel unsure. We take things slowly, explain each step in simple words and don’t rush. If needed, a first visit can simply be a chance to sit in the chair and get used to us.