‘Kids love to brush’ … A statement I made to a parent, and this elicited an eye roll !!

ORAL HYGIENE

Let’s talk about oral hygiene. What is oral hygiene? Oral hygiene consists of what is done at the dentist’s office and at home to keep the teeth and gums healthy. Tooth decay results when bacteria attack the tooth surface/enamel. Tooth decay or dental caries is common in children between 2-19yrs of age. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, between 2015 – 2016, the prevalence of dental caries in this age group was 45.8%.

EFFECTS OF TOOTH DECAY

Tooth decay causes a lot of pain, dental infections, loss of teeth, bad breath, and teeth discoloration.

HOW TO PREVENT TOOTH DECAY IN KIDS

1. TOOTH BRUSHING: Kids should brush twice daily for 2 mins each time. Encourage routine of brush, book, and bed, i.e., kids brush after the last meal, read a book, and then go to bed. Parents need to supervise teeth brushing till kids are about 8yrs old. Use Fluoride toothpaste because, according to the CDC, fluoride slows the formation of cavities by 25%.
2. AVOID SUGARY DRINKS: Kids should avoid drinks like soda, fruit juice, sweetened water, etc. Regular tap water should be the drink of choice from a young age.
3. AVOID STICKY TREATS AND FRUITS: These sticky substances promote bacterial growth in the mouth. Ensure your kid brushes after consuming them. Replace these with healthy options like carrots, celery, yogurt, apples, and nuts.
4. AVOID putting your child to sleep with the bottle.
5. AVOID putting pacifiers and utensils in your mouth and putting them in your child’s mouth to avoid the spread of bacteria from your mouth to theirs.
6. SWITCH to the use of cups once your child turns 12 months.
7. START flossing once two teeth are touching.
8. ENSURE regular Pediatric well-child checks (where your child’s Pediatrician will always check your child’s teeth) and Pediatric Dental checks (every six months)

HOW TO MAKE TEETH BRUSHING FUN

‘Kids love to brush’… ‘How can you achieve this?’ I get asked often. Some suggestions on how to make brushing fun include:

1. Brush to music
2. Brush using an electric toothbrush that makes sounds. Have a timer or an app to monitor brushing progress.
3. Use rewards like brushing charts that reward kids with stars, smiley faces, etc.
4. Model a good example by letting your kids join you when you brush or floss.

Good Oral hygiene ensures a healthy smile!!

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