By Dr. Anjali Menon, Dental Surgeon, Specialist Hospital
Healthy teeth lead to a healthy life, and this is true even in children. But, most of us do not know that dental health care begins even before the first tooth in an infant breaks out. Infact, a child’s dental health begins with the mother’s pregnancy. A mother needs to keep her oral health as one of the key focus areas during the period of her pregnancy, as she could otherwise unknowingly pass on damaging bacteria to her newborn. She must remember that she is brushing for two and religiously brush and clean her teeth morning and night, while looking out for any irregularities.
Breastfeeding plays a vital role for proper facial development and growth, as it requires muscle power that leads to development of both the jaws and airways, lessening the chance of the baby developing badly shaped teeth. It is a known fact that babies are born with teeth within their gums which begin to break out of the gums usually when the baby is between six months and one year. During the breastfeeding stage, and the phase when the infant is given mashed solids or formula foods, it is very important that the gums are wiped with a clean, warm cloth. Parents should avoid sharing food, drinking and eating cups and plates with the infant, as they could unknowingly be transferring bacteria from their mouths to the baby. Never put anything into your mouth and then into the baby’s mouth. Studies show that babies who have not been introduced to cavity causing bacteria stand a better chance of not having cavities through the rest of their life. Transmission usually occurs between the age of six months and two years.
Brushing with a soft baby toothbrush should be done as soon as the first tooth appears. This can be done at night, before the child goes to bed. It is very important that the parents remember to schedule a dental visit for the child as soon as the first tooth appears, or immediately after the baby turns one, whichever is earlier. As the child grows and is able to understand, probably between the age of two to three years, they should be taught the proper techniques of brushing teeth.
Excessive sugar intake, especially at early stages in life, can have a detrimental effect on the dental health of a child. Bacteria in the mouth, especially the kind that cause cavities thrive on sugar and produce an acid-like substance that destroys the enamel in teeth and causes cavities. Do not allow your child to have sweetened drinks, soda and carbonated drinks as sugar can do a lot of damage to the teeth. Once the child develops cavities in milk teeth, they are prone to develop cavities even in their permanent teeth as well. So, it is important to start early and make it a habit to brush twice a day, morning and night.
Parents should take it upon themselves to monitor their child’s tooth brushing routine, to ensure that the proper technique of brushing teeth is followed by the child, and all teeth are accessed, even those in the back of the mouth. As the child grows older, parents may allow their child to choose his or her own toothbrush and toothpaste, they probably will go for the colours they like or maybe the characters that appeal to them and the flavour of toothpaste that they like. This helps in the brushing process, as they will look at brushing as a fun process. Often, parents put their child to sleep with a bottle or sipper in the mouth. When it is left in the mouth over prolonged time periods, bacteria could develop in the mouth and affect the teeth and gums of the child.
Parents should remember to follow a nutritious diet and ensure that their oral health is in good shape in order for their child to have good oral health. Mothers should be aware of the right amount of feed to be administered while breastfeeding and not allow prolonged, unnecessary suckling as this could lead to the development of bacteria. It is important for parents to regularly inspect their children’s teeth, looking for any signs of decay or damage and get that checked with a dental expert immediately, in order to avoid further damage.
