As a dentist with two decades of experience—and as a mother—I’ve seen firsthand what can make or break a child’s dental health. I know how tempting it can be to let things slide when kids resist brushing or to believe that baby teeth don’t matter because they’ll fall out anyway. But trust me, small choices in childhood can make a huge difference in lifelong dental health.
Here are seven things I would never allow my own son to do, and why you shouldn’t either.
1. Miss Regular Dental Checkups Every 6 Months
Life gets busy, but I would never let my son skip his routine dental checkups every six months. Even if there’s no pain, hidden issues could be developing.
Why?
- Cavities don’t always hurt at first – catching them early means less drilling and easier treatments.
- Developmental monitoring – dentists track jaw growth and tooth eruption to prevent future orthodontic problems.
- Preventative care – professional cleanings remove plaque buildup that can lead to gum disease.
A child’s mouth changes rapidly, so six months is the perfect gap to monitor growth and stop problems before they start!
2. Eat Sugary Snacks (Even “Healthy” Ones!)
I would never allow my son to graze on sugary snacks, even the ones labeled as “healthy.” Parents are often surprised to learn that fruit snacks, dried fruit, granola bars, and flavored yogurts can be just as bad as candy for teeth.
Why?
- Constant snacking means sugar is always on the teeth, feeding bacteria.
- Sticky foods cling to enamel and are harder to clean off.
- Even fruit juices contain high levels of natural sugar that can erode enamel.
Smart Tip: If your child does eat something sugary, have them drink water afterward and wait 30 minutes before brushing to protect the enamel.
3. Go to Bed Without Brushing
Kids are tired at bedtime, and so are parents. But skipping brushing at night is a big no-no. When kids sleep, their saliva production slows down, meaning bacteria can multiply more easily and attack teeth all night long.
My non-negotiable rule: My son brushes twice a day, every day—no excuses!
4. Avoid Fissure Sealants at Age 6-7
A lot of parents have never heard of fissure sealants, but they are one of the best ways to prevent cavities in kids. The first adult molars erupt around age 6-7, and these teeth have deep grooves where food and bacteria can get stuck.
Solution? A painless, protective coating called a fissure sealant seals these grooves and helps prevent decay. It’s quick, easy, and one of the smartest preventive steps you can take for your child’s dental health.
5. Wait Too Long for an Orthodontist Visit (First Check-Up at Age 7!)
Most parents think orthodontics is something for teenagers, but the first orthodontist visit should happen at age 7. Why so early? Because some problems, like a narrow jaw or bite issues, are much easier to fix before all the adult teeth come in.
If we catch issues early, treatment can be simpler, shorter, and sometimes prevent the need for braces later on. My son had his first orthodontic evaluation at age 7, we started Invisalign treatment at the age of 9 and was done by the age of 12.
Final Thoughts: Prevention is Always Better Than Treatment
As both a mom and a dentist, I believe that the best way to ensure a lifetime of healthy smiles is to start good habits early. Small, everyday choices—like getting fissure sealants, visiting the orthodontist on time, and brushing consistently – can prevent big dental problems down the road.
Roksolana Mykhalus
Operations Director, Founder at Happy Kids Dental & American Smile
Email: roksolana@happykidsdental.co.uk
Website: happykidsdental.co.uk
Connect with Us:
Happy Kids Dental is a state-of-the-art children’s dental clinic with three convenient locations in Central London. It is a family business founded by brother and sister , who are second generation dentists.
With more than 12,900 happy patients who come to us for professional and high-quality dentistry, we are committed to creating a gentle, fun & positive dental experience.
We partner with our patients & their families to achieve cavity-free and fear-free kids who really do love going to the dentist! Every detail at Happy Kids Dental has been considered from our patients’ point of view.
From the moment children step into our themed practices, they instantly feel at ease. Some look around and have fun with jungle- or underwater-themed features, others start playing cool games consoles or on the iPads, while others draw and some simply chat to our friendly team members.
Our in-house team has been hand-picked for their incredible rapport with children, enabling us to set a strong foundation for a lifetime of happy, healthy teeth.
As a leading children’s practice in London, we have a team of the best paediatric dentists who all have comprehensive experience working with patients of all ages, from early years right up to 16, as well as a true passion for helping children.
Main reasons to choose us ?
Our Expertise
Our team has a reputation built on providing quality dental care, catering specifically for children. We are proud to be a referral centre – with more than 150 general dental clinics across London entrusting their patients’ dental care to us.
Best-in-Class Dental Technology
All our equipment is specifically designed with children’s safety in mind. From the lowest-radiation digital imaging (x-rays), to ‘the Wand’ (targeted pain-free computerised anaesthesia), a sedation suite and a high-tech dental microscope – we are committed to providing comfortable, safe and effective treatments for children.
We constantly upgrade our knowledge
Our dentists and therapists have a minimum of 45 hours of continuous education per year and some of our dentists are international lecturers on various topics of dentistry.
We have a team of childrens dentist and orthodontist who would love to see your child for check ups, dental hygiene, fillings, braces, Invisalign and much more.
