A guide for parents
Looking after teeth and gums
01
Why the mouth matters
Keeping teeth and gums healthy helps prevent infection. Some people with congenital heart disease are at greater risk of infective endocarditis, an infection inside the heart. It is uncommon but serious. Include dental care in your child’s health plan. Do not leave it until a heart procedure is close.
02
What happens next
Work with both teams
Tell the dentist the full heart diagnosis and give them the current medicine list. Ask for age-appropriate advice about brushing with fluoride toothpaste, diet and regular check-ups. Before planned heart surgery or a catheter treatment, the heart team may want a dentist to check your child’s teeth and gums.
If you cannot find dental care or your child is very anxious, tell the heart team so they can help you find suitable care.
Clarify special precautions
Do not assume that every child with a heart condition needs antibiotics for every dental visit. Ask the heart doctor and dentist to agree any special steps for your child and the proposed treatment. Keep the written advice with the heart information you bring to appointments. Report dental pain, swelling or suspected infection promptly and tell staff about medicines that affect bleeding.
Help your child see dental visits as ordinary health care: clear explanations and familiar routines can help. Tell staff if touch, noise or other sensations are difficult for your child. If advice seems to conflict, ask the professionals to resolve it together before the procedure.
03
Questions to ask
Save the questions you want to take to your next appointment. You can edit them in your Journal.
- Does our child need any special dental precautions because of their heart condition, and what should we tell the dentist?
- Does planned heart surgery require a dental check beforehand, and how should we arrange that?
- Who can help us find an appropriate dentist if our child needs extra support or specialist dental care?
Sources and review
Sources checked 9 October 2026. Independent clinical review pending.
- Great Ormond Street Hospital: Helping your child with congenital heart disease stay healthy
Accessed 9 October 2026
- East Midlands Congenital Heart Network: Paediatric dental health
Accessed 9 October 2026