Children’s dentist Purley: your back-to-school dental check-up guide

The end of summer is often busy with new uniforms, signing-up for clubs, packing school bags and getting everyone back into routine. Once things have settled down, it can also be a useful time to think about your child’s dental health after the summer holidays.

At Foxley Lane Dental practice, we provide Purley dental care for children from their first teeth through their school years, into their teens and beyond. We welcome families from Purley, Coulsdon, Kenley, Sanderstead, Caterham, South Croydon and Banstead, as well as the surrounding areas.

Children’s dentistry: why book a back-to-school dental check in Purley?

There’s nothing clinically special about September, but the new school term can often serve as a useful reminder to get healthy routines back on track. For families arranging Purley dental care, it can be a handy reset after summer holidays, later bedtimes and a few more treats than usual.

A children’s dental check-up in Purley gives your dentist the opportunity to check your child’s teeth and gums, look for early signs of decay, and talk about brushing, diet or anything you’ve noticed at home. We’ll also keep an eye on how adult teeth are appearing and, as they get older, whether there are any changes in tooth position or their bite that may need monitoring or orthodontic treatment planning.

Kids’ dentist Purley: What happens at a children’s dental appointment?

We’ll always adapt your child’s appointment to their age, confidence and individual needs. Our Purley children's dentists will check their teeth, gums and mouth and talk about brushing, fluoride toothpaste, snacks and drinks where useful. For younger children, simply getting used to the dental chair, opening their mouth and meeting our team can be an important part of the visit and really help with dental confidence down the line.

The NHS recommends taking children to the dentist when their first milk teeth appear, or by their first birthday. Starting early can help dental visits become an ordinary part of looking after themselves, rather than somewhere they only go when something hurts.

Dental treatments and care for an anxious child

Some children happily hop straight into the dental chair, while others need a little more time - and that’s absolutely fine.

If your child is nervous, let us know when you book. We can adapt the appointment for nervous patients, explain things in an age-appropriate way and take it at a pace they can manage.

At home, try to keep conversations about the dentist positive and matter-of-fact. Younger children may also find it reassuring to bring a favourite toy.

Regular visits to the practice can help because your child gets to know our team during simple dental check-ups rather than only seeing us when they’re in pain, have dental issues, or need dental treatments or other dental procedures. If an urgent problem does crop up, we also provide emergency dental appointments in Purley and can advise you on what to do next.

How often should children have a dental check-up?

Many children have a dental check-up around every six months, but there isn’t one schedule that suits every child. Your children’s dentist at Foxley Lane Dental will recommend the right interval based on your child’s age, dental health and individual risk of problems.

For children under 18, routine check-ups may be recommended every 3, 6, 9 or 12 months, depending on their needs. Regular Purley dental care also helps us follow changes over time as milk teeth are lost, adult teeth appear and their bite develops.

Children’s dentistry: common issues during the school years

Children’s mouths change quickly during the school years, and a few issues are particularly worth keeping an eye on.

Tooth decay and cavities

Tooth decay is one of the main things we check for. Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and keeping sugary foods and drinks to mealtimes can help reduce the risk.

Even once children start brushing independently, it’s worth checking now and then that they’re reaching every surface, especially those easy-to-miss back teeth.

The NHS has useful guidance on caring for children's teeth, including advice on brushing and fluoride.

Thumb or finger sucking

Thumb sucking is a normal comfort habit for many young children. If it continues as permanent teeth start to appear, it can sometimes affect tooth position or the way the upper and lower teeth meet. If you’re concerned, mention it at your child’s dental appointment. We can check how their teeth and bite are developing and let you know whether anything needs monitoring.

Developing bites and orthodontic concerns

Crowding, prominent teeth, gaps or changes in the bite don’t necessarily mean your child will need orthodontic treatment. Regular check-ups allow us to monitor their developing teeth and jaws and advise if an orthodontic assessment becomes appropriate. 

What’s the difference between children’s and family dentistry in Purley?

Children’s dentistry focuses specifically on the dental needs of babies, children and teenagers, while family dentistry means different generations can receive dental care through the same practice.

At Foxley Lane Dental, parents and children can be seen together for routine care where appropriate, which can make appointments easier to organise and help younger patients become familiar with the same dental team. We also offer Wednesday evening and Saturday appointments, giving busy families more flexibility around school, work and other commitments.

Children can receive age-appropriate dental care, while adults can access everything from routine examinations and hygiene appointments to restorative, Invisalign and cosmetic treatments, all from the same Purley practice.

Make dental health part of the school routine

Good dental habits don’t need to be complicated. Encourage your child to brush for around two minutes twice a day, ideally as the last thing before bed, using an age-appropriate fluoride toothpaste.

Water is a tooth-friendly choice for the school day, and keeping sugary foods and drinks to mealtimes can help reduce how often teeth are exposed to sugar.

Good habits at home, together with regular Purley dental checks for kids, can help us keep an eye on your child’s teeth as their smile develops.

Is Foxley Lane Dental accepting new NHS children’s dental patients in Purley?

Unfortunately, we’re not currently accepting new NHS children as standard because our NHS children’s list is full. However, please do contact our reception team, as we’ll always do our best to advise you on the options available and how we may be able to help.

Children can still be seen privately at Foxley Lane Dental, with children’s appointments available for £25. You can see our current fees for private children’s dental checks here.

This means your child can continue to receive dental care with our Purley team in the same familiar practice as the rest of the family.

Book your child’s next dental check in Purley

If it’s been a while since their last check-up, you can book a children’s dental appointment in Purley with our team. We welcome families from Purley, Coulsdon, Kenley, Sanderstead, Caterham, South Croydon and beyond.

If it makes life easier, we can also arrange family appointments so parents or guardians and children can be seen together. We offer evening and Saturday appointments too, which can be helpful when you’re fitting dental care around school, work and family life.

Book your child’s next dental appointment here