We need to pay attention to the dental health of our beloved children in order to have a good life both in terms of health and aesthetics. Deciduous teeth are at least as important as permanent teeth in terms of dental health, which should be given importance from infancy.
PARENTS SHALL ALSO HAVE HEALTHY TEETH
The basis of dental decays is laid in infancy and decays can easily be transmitted from parents to the child during this period. In order for children to have healthy teeth, parents must first protect their dental health.
When babies are first born, bacteria that cause caries in their mouths are not encountered, but over time it passes to the baby for various reasons. Due to its strong adhesion properties to hard tooth surfaces, this bacteria rapidly multiplies on the tooth surface with the first tooth eruption and creates caries.
BE CAREFUL WHILE PREPARING THE FOOD
Many behaviors that are thought to be harmless, such as kissing babies, controlling the temperature of their food or tasting and feeding their food, infect the child with bacteria in the mouth of adults and the risk of decay in children and its spread are easier.
People who have close contact with the baby (mother, father, caregiver and other relatives) should regularly perform oral and dental health care and should not hinder with dentist checks.
If there is caries and gingival disease, treatment should be sought as soon as possible.
The use of 3-step tooth brushing, dental floss and mouthwash should not be disrupted.
The mother or father should not use a joint toothbrush with the child.
The spoon used while feeding the child must belong to him. Another spoon should be used by parents for temperature and taste control of food.
People who are feeding babies should not rub the bottle and pacifier in their mouth, even for temperature control.
WHY DO CHILDREN’S TEETH DECAY?
- Since deciduous teeth contain more organic matter than permanent teeth, they decay more easily and quickly.
- Children cannot interpret the early signs of caries such as cold-hot tenderness and mild pain in a timely manner. They realize the event only when there is unbearable pain, which may be too late.
- Children cannot pay attention to oral care as much as adults. The child’s dexterity, curiosity and parents’ attitude determine the brushing habits.
- Teeth become susceptible to decay due to nutritional irregularities.
CAN DECAY FORMATION IN CHILDREN BE PREVENTED?
A study on mothers and children reveals that parents do not notice the mistakes in oral hygiene of children who brush their teeth alone.
In order to have healthy teet for children;
- Do not let them brush alone before the age of 7. Help your children brush properly.
- It is not easy to brush teeth before going to bed for children who are returned from school tired, but it is necessary to brush them without giving up. Brushing teeth is very important for the general health of children.
- Even if your children do not have any complaints, always take them to a dentist. Even if it does not have any decay, it will seriously prevent the formation of possible decays, such as fissure sealant and superficial fluoride application.
- Research shows that cooperation with teachers is very important in the prevention of decays. Teachers are more effective than their parents in the development of children’s oral hygiene knowledge.
WHAT TO DO?
FISSURE SEALANTS: Children cannot easily clean the indentations and protrusions on the teeth. Food residues and bacteria also settle in these recesses and cause decays. Since the fissure sealants have a liquid and fluid consistency, they can reach the deepest point of the small pits called Fissure on the chewing surface of the backteeth, and by blocking these areas, they prevent food residues and bacteria from adhering. Fissure sealant treatment method can be used in permanent backteeth and premolars from the age of 6. It can be applied especially to children whose permanent teeth have just cut.
FLOR APPLICATION: Another way to prevent decays is to increase the resistance against decays. This resistance can be gained by applying superficial fluoride to the teeth of children.
TOOTH BRUSHING: The most effective method for children to maintain their tooth brushing habit in the future is to gain this habit at an early age. Decay formation can be prevented by regular and correct brushing.
TOOTH BRUSH AND PASTE SELECTION IS IMPORTANT
It is necessary to choose toothbrushes made of soft and nylon bristles suitable for the child’s mouth size. Since there is a risk of swallowing the toothpaste, it should not be used under 3 years of age.
TO GET TOOTH BRUSHING HABITS FOR CHILDREN …
- While your child is brushing his/her teeth, brush your own teeth with another toothbrush. ** Buy him/her a few different colors and shapes of toothbrushes and toothpaste. Have him/her pick another duo each time. This choice will increase their motivation and desire to brush teeth.
- Make sure to create a toothbrushing panel and make a markup on the panel after each brushing. (Smiley face etc. icons)
- Place an hourglass in the bathroom and keep time by turning the hourglass over with each brush. About 2 minutes of brushing will be enough.
- Research shows that most of the aesthetic and orthodontic problems of teeth come from early lost deciduous teeth or decaying permanent foretooth during the school start period.