The five signs
1. Toothache, swelling or a gum boil. Pain when eating, waking at night, or a pimple on the gum can mean decay has reached the nerve. Children are seen the same day for pain.
2. White, brown or black spots. Chalky white lines near the gums are early decay and can often be stopped. Brown or black spots may be cavities.
3. Bleeding gums or persistent bad breath. Usually plaque build-up, but worth checking.
4. Teeth coming through crooked, very early or very late, an adult tooth behind a milk tooth, or crowding. An orthodontic check around age seven shows whether anything needs watching.
5. Habits such as thumb-sucking or dummy use after about age seven, tongue thrusting, mouth breathing or grinding.
Also see us after
- a knock or fall that chipped, loosened or darkened a tooth
- a milk tooth knocked out (don’t try to put it back)
- any injury to the mouth
What a paediatric dentist does differently
- Explains treatment in child-friendly words, with “tell, show, do”
- Short appointments at the child’s pace
- Specialist milk-tooth treatment, such as nerve treatment and crowns
- Prevention: fluoride varnish and fissure sealants
- Watching jaw growth and the bite
At Petal Smiles
Our paediatric dentist sees children who need specialist care, and our paediatrician, Dr. Sunisha Arora, is at the same clinic. We’re open 10am to 8pm every day, so visits fit around school. See children’s dental care.
Questions patients ask us
What is a paediatric dentist?
A dentist with three extra years of specialist training (MDS) in children's dentistry, including milk-tooth treatment, preventing decay, growth of the jaws and helping anxious children.
At what age should my child see a paediatric dentist?
From the first tooth or first birthday. Early visits are about prevention and getting used to the clinic.
Is thumb-sucking harmful?
Usually not in young children. If it continues after the adult front teeth start coming through, around age six or seven, it can push teeth forward and affect the bite.
My child's adult tooth is coming in behind the milk tooth. Is that a problem?
It's common, especially with lower front teeth. Often the milk tooth falls out on its own; if it hasn't loosened within a few weeks, it may need removing.
Sources
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry: parent FAQs ↗NHS: taking care of children's teeth ↗Last updated 14 October 2026.