Pt2
by
Katrina Welch
Caring for your teeth does not begin in adulthood. In fact, from the time a baby’s first teeth appear brushing should begin as told by local dental practitioner Dr. Lois Applewhite-Holford. In our last edition of Better Health magazine, she shared information on teeth brushing and dental visits for children as we recognised the observance of Children’s Dental Health Awareness Month. This month, Dr. Applewhite-Holford provides the answers to some frequently asked questions on children’s oral hygiene.
Apart from teeth brushing, what other good oral hygiene habits should parents try to implement in their children?
• Flossing should be introduced as part of a child’s oral hygiene regimen as soon as two teeth which touch emerge. This should be done at least once daily. Instead of using the traditional dental floss, parents and children tend to find floss sticks or picks easier to manipulate.
• Children should practice vigorous rinsing with water after consumption of a sugary food/beverage.
From the age of 5-6, a fluoride mouth rinse can prove to be very helpful in the prevention of cavities, especially in children at an increased risk of developing such. It is recommended that the child rinses with a capful of the fluoride rinse twice during the day (usually after mealtimes) for at least 30 seconds.
• Parents or guardians should also schedule bi-annual visits to the paediatric or family dentist to ensure children receive their dental examinations and cleanings.
For those who may not be aware, can you recommend some foods which can help to strengthen the teeth and maintain the health of the gums?
Foods which helps to strengthen/ maintain the health of the teeth and gums include:
• Dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt (sugar-free, where possible). These foods encourage saliva production, which is beneficial in the protection of teeth. They are also high in calcium and protein, which strengthen the teeth. In cases of dairy allergy or sensitivity, use calcium and protein- fortified nut milks (e.g. almond or cashew milk), where possible.
• Leafy greens- also aid in the production of saliva and are high in calcium.
• Apples, carrots and celery- make great healthy snacks, and due to their fibrous texture, they help to clean the teeth by scraping leftover food and bacteria off.
• Nuts such as almonds are good for teeth because they are high in calcium and protein and low in sugars. However, be very careful with really hard nuts, which are infamous for fracturing compromised teeth.
• Sugar-free chewing gum-aids in maintaining a good flow of saliva and freshening the breath.
• Fluoride-rich foods such as seafood, beets and beans. Fluoride is vital in building strong bones and teeth and preventing tooth decay.
• Unsweetened black and green teas, which contain plaque-fighting ingredients and are usually abundant in fluoride.
• Water is an excellent cleanser, and drinking plenty of it daily can help eliminate dry mouth by keeping the mouth moist to prevent the bacteria that cause cavities, gum disease and bad breath.
What foods should children absolutely avoid that cause damage to their teeth?
As much as possible, try to avoid giving children sticky foods which are high in their sugar content. This includes foods like caramel, chocolates and even preserved fruits. Added to the detrimental effects of sugar on the teeth, these foods tend to adhere to the grooves on the teeth and in between the teeth, and can prove problematic for a child to clean off properly.
Apart from that, children are children and they love snacks! It is recommended that snacks (which are typically high in sugar) be limited between meals.
Frequently eating these foods increases the amount of time you expose your teeth to the harmful effects of sugar while decreasing saliva’s ability to neutralize tooth-damaging acids.
Bacteria uses sugar as a fuel that gets converted into acid. This means that those foods will continue to harm your teeth long after you have finished eating them.
It is therefore best to limit the intake of these snacks and beverages in general, and when they are consumed, to do so around mealtime as opposed to in between mealtimes.
What are some of the most common dental problems which you see in your young patients?
Some of the most common problems seen in young patients include:
• Tooth decay – which is the single most common chronic childhood disease worldwide.
• More specifically, “baby bottle syndrome”- which is a form of tooth decay seen in children younger than six years of age. This is caused by them going to sleep drinking from a bottle filled with milk or juice, or while breastfeeding.
• Open bite and protrusive teeth due to finger or tongue sucking.
• Other malocclusions requiring early orthodontic intervention.
• Early loss of baby teeth resulting in drifting of adjacent teeth, and eventually, “riders”.
• Fractured incisors due to falls and other traumatic injuries.
