Oral advice for parents with young children

Subject page : Health

It's important that good oral hygiene habits are established early, as this will be the foundation for maintaining healthy teeth for life.

Things to consider: -

1. Diet- Most children enjoy sweet tastes, try and encourage your child to snack on healthy items such as fruits or yogurts I' and keep their sugar intake down by restricting sweets and cakes to meal times.


2. Sweets such as chocolate do less harm than hard sweets as the chocolate dissolves quickly in the mouth, which means the teeth are exposed to sugar for a shorter period of time.
   
   Beware of "hidden sugars" such as glucose, fructose and dextrose, often found in prepared food always read food labels. Avoid fizzy drinks and too many acidic fruits juices which risk eroding the enamel. Milk and water are the safest drinks for children's teeth and are the only drinks that should be used in a feeding bottle. Never leave a child with a sweet drink in a bottle as a comforter and do not dip dummies into sweet substances.
   


3. Toothbrushing - toothbrushing should begin as soon as the first teeth start to appear. Use a baby toothbrush and a smear of children low fluoride tooth paste - which can be purchased from most supermarkets and chemists. Let your baby play with the toothbrush so that the experience becomes as enjoyable game. From around the age of 2 children will want to brush their own teeth, but they will need adult supervision until the age of 7. Make brushing fun and reward (but not with sweets) when the child does well.
   Teeth should be brushed twice a day, ideally morning and evening. Your dentist or hygienist will show you and your child the correct technique. Flossing should not begin until your child has all his permanent teeth, around the age of 12 years.


4. Choice of toothbrush - there are many different types of children's brushes many with fun and fashionable characters to encourage use. Many have stout, molded handles to suit little hands and small heads for little mouths. Tooth brushes should be changed at least every 5 months or when the filaments (bristles) become "tatty" - often as a result of chewing. Don't share brushes between children.


5. Teething - This is often painful and can continue over several months, the typical signs of teething are irritability, dribbling, frantic chewing and red cheeks. Teething gels may relieve pain as may teething rings cooled in the fridge. If the problem continues and is causing great distress ask your dentist's advice.


6. Fluoride - Fluoride is important as it strengthens the teeth and prevents decay. Use a fluoride toothpaste for your child, your dentist will be happy to give advice on which is most suitable. Find out if the water in your area is fluoridated; if not ask your dentist if fluoride supplements are advisable.


7. Dental Visits Most dentists try to be childfriendly today, and encourage small children to attend with their parents, sit on the dental chairs, learn from toys specially designed to highlight oral health issues and generally get used to the surroundings. Fun visits to the dentist in early childhood will help prevent dental fears and phobias in later life!

Compliments of "ffig" family friendly information generator

Author:  Karen Steel, Oral hygiene specialist
Added:  02 Jun 2009