CHILDREN'S DENTISTRY
Many of us have suffered from toothaches at young age, which made it difficult for us to even concentrate at school.
There is no need for the same story to be repeated for our children. There are specific guidelines that we as parents can follow to prevent our child from suffering by decayed teeth:
1. Limiting the consumption of sugary foods.
No child can resist to sweet taste foods. The parent, however, needs to ensure that they are consumed immediately after the meal. The presence of sugar in the oral environment throughout the day favors the growth of the bacteria responsible for tooth decay. Especially with bottle-fed children, we have to be extra careful about what we add into their milk. Even milk and juices contain sugar. That’s why it is best to provide water between meals.
2. Daily tooth brushing.
Even from infancy we have to clean our baby's mouth after meals with wet gauzes which are available in pharmacies. Later, when the first teeth come out, we use the children's toothbrushes with soft bristles and a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.
It is good that we brush our teeth along with our child to be sure that he practices effective oral hygiene.
3. Visit to the dentist.
From our child’s first birthday, a visit to the dentist is necessary so that he starts getting used to it. A dental checkup and fluoride application are major steps to a healthy smile. Baby teeth will begin to be replaced by the permanent ones at the age of 5-6 years. However, this does not mean that we should not take care of them. The damaging effects of tooth decay can continue on to permanent teeth.
The dentist, also, can inform us, if our child might need braces.
Finally, when the first permanent teeth come out, they may need to be covered with preventive sealants to smooth out the pronounced grooves and fissures, so that food and bacteria which cause cavities are not trapped.
A visit to the dentist will help us answer many questions we may have as new parents and advise us with prevention and care tips.