Tips for protecting children’s teeth
This caries progress rapidly and can cause pain and abscesses if left untreated. In our country, according to studies conducted in different regions, the prevalence of this type of caries, known in medical terms as Nursing Caries, is about 20%.
One of the most important causes of this caries is milk consumption (whether breast milk or formula sweet liquids between night and morning when the baby is asleep. During this period, due to the reduction of saliva secretion and the placement of sweet liquids on the teeth in the presence of cariogenic microbes, the caries process begins and progresses, and the repetition of the habit leads to caries.
Often, first caries develop on the back deciduous teeth. The best way to prevent it is to stop drinking sweet liquids or milk from six months onwards at night, or if it is not possible to stop milking, clean the mouth and teeth after consuming these fluids. In the case of caries, treatment of the child as soon as possible is necessary.
Protecting children’s teeth with fluoride
Fluoride is a substance that prevents tooth decay and helps repair tooth decay faster. In some countries, fluoride is added to drinking water. To get fluoride, you can talk to your dentist or pediatrician about how and how many fluorides drops to take.
Prevent tooth decay in infants
Never breastfeed while sleeping, and if your baby wants glass, just fill the glass with water.
Milk, fruit juices, and sweetened liquids contain sugar. When your baby sucks these fluids, they can cause tooth decay due to the sugar in them.
During the day, do not give your baby a full glass of sugary drink instead of a pacifier to keep the teeth in contact with the sweetener for longer.
If your baby is using a pacifier, do not soak the pacifier in something as sweet as sugar or honey.
Around the age of one, you should teach your child to drink milk or other liquids instead of a glass.
Cleaning the teeth of
microbial plaque, which is a sticky layer of food and germs, can cause tooth decay and gum disease. Therefore, to prevent these problems, it is necessary to control microbial plaque. The most accepted method of plaque control is mechanical removal with the regular and correct use of toothbrushes and floss. It is the duty of their parents to clean the teeth of young children. Although you encourage your child to brush, be sure to help him or her by the age of 6-7, brushing his or her teeth gently and patiently.
Brushing the
first baby tooth, clean the teeth and surrounding tissues with a damp gauze or a small soft toothbrush. After the age of two, use a very small amount of fluoride toothpaste. Brushing should be done at least twice a day (morning and night, especially before bed). The average time for each brushing is 3-4 minutes.
The type of toothbrush recommended for each patient depends on the dentist’s diagnosis. The best type for children is a toothbrush with a thick handle and a small head and artificial hair with a soft end. The proper method of brushing also depends on the opinion of the dentist, which is recommended according to the age and dental condition of the child.
Flossing
interdental surfaces are out of reach of toothbrush bristles. Flossing should be done after the age of three to clean these surfaces. In choosing the type of floss, it is better to use fluoride-free wax type for ease of use.
How to properly floss
About 35 cm Remove the floss, wrap both ends around the middle finger and hold it about 5 cm with your index finger and thumb.
Gently pass the floss through the two teeth, like sawing wood, and lower it to the edge of the gums without damaging the tissue.
Using the floss clean parts, repeat the above steps for all tooth surfaces and even the back surface of the last tooth.
Proper diet for children’s teeth
One way to prevent caries is to control your child’s diet. Therefore, while observing the child’s main food, if snacks and snacks are selected properly, in addition to providing the source of nutrition and energy needed by children, they can play an important role in preventing caries.
The formation of beneficial or harmful eating habits in children is done by the parents. It is best to avoid foods that are high in sugar, starch, and high in fat. In this case, in addition to the general health of the child, his dental health will also be guaranteed. Useful half-day meal of milk, bread, and cheese, boiled eggs, yogurt, raw fruits and vegetables such as carrots, corn, salted nuts in exchange for a half-day meal of cariogenic candy cakes, pastries, cookies, sweetened cereals, raisins, dried fruit sheets, honey milk, sugary chewing gums, sweet biscuits.
Important
tips Avoid eating sticky foods. These substances vary in how long they remain in the mouth. For example, toffee sticks to teeth more than chocolate and caramel. Limit sweets to meals. At this time, more saliva is secreted in the mouth, which can remove food debris from the teeth.
Reduce your sugar intake throughout the day. Be aware of the presence of sugars in food products, so when buying, pay attention to the label of its ingredients (such as sauces, soft drinks, …)
Avoid eating snacks and sweets before bed, because at that time Saliva flow is slower, its cleansing power is less.
Choose snacks that do not cause tooth decay and help keep your teeth healthy by eating ingredients such as raw vegetables, cheese, and other dairy products.
The first pediatric medical examination
The first visit should take place between 6 and 12 months of age. At this time, the dentist will teach you oral hygiene methods and the prevention of dental caries, harmful oral habits, and the use of fluoride. Interval visits depend on the type of nutrition, dental care, and fluoride in drinking water and are usually recommended every 6 months. By using preventive methods, will prevent spending time and money on complex future treatments.
The dentist gently examines the baby’s teeth and gums to assess caries or other problems. If necessary, radiographs will be taken to examine the jaw, developing teeth, and invisible caries. Also in this session, healthy methods and proper diet will be evaluated and reminded. Healthy baby teeth help the baby to chew food properly, speak properly and be beautiful, otherwise, his general health will be endangered. Long-term and costly orthodontics will cover the future. The previous eight deciduous teeth should be working for a child around the age of 6 and the other 12 deciduous teeth by the age of 12
Tell your child what to say about the dentist Your doctor will help your health and clean your teeth. Remember this meeting with good and useful memories.
Do not bribe your child to visit a dentist.
Do not introduce a dental appointment as a means of punishment. Do not pass on your
anxiety to your child.
Do not let others tell you about your fears about dentistry.
Do not use negative and scary words such as pain, injection, pulling, grinding for the child.
Do not explain the details of the work process to the child, as the dentist and assistant will use a specific term for each case.
Do not promise the child on behalf of the dentist.
Send the child to the room alone at the dentist’s discretion.
Always be a good role model for your child in terms of oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist.
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