Our children’s teeth are a concern for us all. Are they brushing enough" Is thumb-sucking really the end of the world" And what about braces" Georgina Blaskey finds out
Tooth decay 
Tooth decay is a major health concern worldwide and still a big problem in the UK – it’s one of the most common causes of hospital admission in children, with sports drinks and sweets being the big culprits. To help prevent tooth decay, fissure sealant is recommended. “On permanent molars (from about age seven or eight), we can paint on a small amount of fluoride inside the fissure which seals the tooth and protects it from food and bacteria,” says Marie Baldo, dental associate at Glow Dental in Battersea. This must be done early, on healthy teeth only – there are more cases of tooth decay starting inside teeth so an X-ray may be advisable to check for cavities first. Trauma 
Chipping or breaking a tooth is quite common amongst young children who are so active playing sport and love to whizz around on scooters. If your child fractures or breaks their tooth, Dr Neil Counihan, one of the UK?s leading orthodontists and founder of Metamorphosis Orthodontics in Fulham, has this advice: ?If the tooth is chipped, find the fragment and get to the dentist ? it may be the fragment is embedded in the lower lip. If the tooth has moved, gently manipulate to move it back if you can, then visit the dentist, orthodontist or A&E. If it has been knocked ou...