Oral Health like any other part of our body has to be taken care of with utmost care and from an early age. Children at an early age should be educated on the importance of oral health and ways to keep it clean. Neglecting oral health can lead to effects like tooth decay , teeth pain, bad mouth odour, inability to eat food properly and gum infections. So it is very important that children start taking care of their teeth and teaching kids to brush teeth from a very early age and dental check ups every 6 months at the best dental clinic for preventing cavities in children. Let’s have an idea about best practices for kids dental hygiene.
Establishing a Good Oral Hygiene Routine
How to take care of kids’ teeth?
For a baby without teeth , cleaning the gums with a sterile cotton cloth or gauze dipped in normal water in the morning and night will suffice. But as soon as teeth erupt, it is very important to teach a child how to brush. A parent can start off with finger cap brushes as the bristles are softer and if a child bites, the parent’s finger does not get injured. It is advisable to guide your child until the age of 6 to clean every tooth (back and front) and inform them to look into the mirror while brushing otherwise certain areas of the mouth will be neglected.
After the age of 6, children should be able to clean their teeth independently with constant reminders about the importance of keeping their teeth healthy. Then as the child ages the length of the brush can be modified as per the child’s convenience and dexterity.
If a parent’s question or doubt is “How to get my toddler to brush their teeth” , the key factor is to start at an early age with details as mentioned above because the earlier the brushing habit is taught to the child , they will develop it as a routine daily procedure rather than a forced procedure.
Kids dental care tips
- Brushing Techniques
Considering the method of brushing , circular motion works best for children as it is very effective in cleaning. Always remember it is the method of brushing and NOT the type of brush or paste that matters to keep your teeth healthy.
Soft or medium brush is better and fluoridated paste can help in giving a tooth an extra protection for your tooth. But many food items or drinking water can help with regards to fluoride nourishment. Get in touch with a nutritionist for more details.
So the best toothbrush for kids will be a soft or medium bristles brush and a handle which the child can hold properly. Never cover the head of the brush during storage unless it is properly dry.
- Flossing
Flossing is a very important habit and method to remove plaque and food particles especially in between teeth. If spaces are present between teeth , interdental brushes are available and are useful for children’s oral health.
- Mouthwash
I would never recommend mouthwash for children unless prescribed by a dentist, since proper brushing and rinsing of mouth after every meal can prevent usage of mouthwash.
Healthy Dietary Habits for Strong Teeth
When considering healthy dietary habits for children for maintaining strong teeth , always give priority to fresh fruits and vegetables. Also milk, diary products like cheese, paneer and fish are useful supplements. A Balanced Diet is very important for keeping healthy teeth. Vitamin D and calcium are very good for bones and also for your teeth. Avoiding sugary / fizzy drinks is advised as these have acidic content and regular use of such drinks can compromise the strength of children’ s as well as adult teeth.
The Importance of Regular Dental Visits:
Prevention is better than Cure is apt for every aspect of health care. Likewise it applies for dental health as well. Regular dental check up every year from the age of 3 is recommended . Before the age of 3, parents can themselves monitor the child’s teeth on a regular basis and can do a checkup if they suspect any abnormality. From the age of 3, dental check ups every 6 months can prevent many future dental ailments like tooth cavities, unerupting teeth.
So ideally First dental visit for kids should be at least when the child turns 3
Common Oral Health Issues in Children
Tooth Decay:
- Signs of tooth decay in children are usually black or brown lines or dots during early stages and in advanced stages it usually presents as a cavity. It may get confused with bacterial stains( commonly found in children). Cause of tooth decay or caries are usually as explained before improper brushing habits, having sugary snacks ( like chocolates, candy ,etc) just before bed.
- Treatment options for such tooth caries are teeth fillings.
Gum Disease:
- Good oral hygiene is very important in preventing gum disease as well. But gum diseases are very rare in children considering age and better healing capacity of children compared to adults unless and until the child has a very poor oral hygiene. Major gum problems in children are directly related to tooth infections like pus
- Other gum related symptoms are bleeding gums, red or swollen gums
Tooth Injuries:
- Tooth injuries and fractures are a common occurrence amongst children as they are always involved in some physical activities. The children who are majorly affected are those who have proclined upper front teeth.
- Such children can be treated at an early age by seeking treatment from an orthodontist or pedodontist to prevent further teeth trauma or injuries.
How to prepare your Kid for a Dental Check-up?
Before the dental visit, explain to your child the reason for your dental visit. Never scare the child with details like “ doctor will inject if you do not listen” ,etc which will cause unwanted fear in the child’s mind. But otherwise if a child is already scared, the dentist can well handle the situation. During the initial visit, only a check up is done to check the dental condition of the child. Procedures are usually not undertaken until an emergency arises.
Conclusion
So always remember taking care of oral health is equally important like any other body part. Brushing is equally important like bathing your body. From an early age, proper and effective brushing is the key to good oral health. Parents must consider it their responsibility for initial care of their children’s teeth. Proper education about the importance and value of good oral health plays a crucial role in the child’s overall growth and development.
