Dental care

Good oral and dental hygiene is essential for children and young people with a heart defect because dental disease, gum disease, or badly decayed teeth can cause a disease of the heart called infective endocarditis.

Infective endocarditis is an infection of the heart’s inner lining caused by bacteria in the bloodstream.

You can follow good dental hygiene by avoiding sugary foods and drinks between meals, not putting sweetened drinks in bottles for young children and asking for sugar-free medicines. Also, encourage your child to brush their teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste. Choose a small brush and use a small pea-sized amount of toothpaste for under 6-year-olds.

The most important thing is to register your child with a dentist as soon as possible and inform the dentist that your child has a congenital heart defect. Your dentist can then provide the best possible advice and treatment.