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Take care of your kids' teeth

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Your teeth are your responsibility. So is your child's teeth. Here's what to do to prevent those cavities.

Be mindful of your own oral hygiene

Bacteria live in plaque, which is the sticky coating that covers the surface of teeth. These bacteria react with food, causing a build-up of acid and eventually the formation of cavities. Plaque should be removed on a daily basis to ensure that teeth and gums remain healthy.

Parents should be mindful of their own oral hygiene practices as well as that of their children. Bacteria are present in saliva and can therefore be easily transmitted from parent to child during kissing and by sharing the same utensils.

Parents should accept responsibility for the oral health of their children until around the age of eight or nine years. Prior to this time, children do not possess the necessary motor skills and dexterity to maintain an adequate level of oral hygiene.

The child can start brushing his/her own teeth under parental supervision by the age of seven. Studies have shown that by 10 years of age, the child should be able to maintain an acceptable standard of oral hygiene without being supervised.

Get into the routine

Oral hygiene practices should be introduced even before the child starts teething. The infant's gums need to be cleaned to remove food debris, thereby preventing the build-up of bacteria and subsequent acid production. The gums can be wiped thoroughly, using a gauze square or a clean damp cloth.

This action also stimulates the gums and helps to relieve some of the discomfort that can sometimes be associated with teething. Once the teeth start erupting, they should ideally be cleaned at least twice a day - after breakfast and before bedtime.

However, this is often a tall order and brushing the teeth thoroughly at least once a day is the next best thing. The tongue should also be brushed.

Infants

In infants, a small amount of toothpaste can be dabbed onto the gauze square. Once all the front teeth have erupted, a soft-bristled "junior" toothbrush can be introduced.

The task of brushing can be made easier if the child lays with his/her head in the parent's lap. In older children, the child can stand in front of the parent, facing forward. By tilting the child's head upward, the parent is then able to have better access and visibility is also improved.

A back-and-forth scrubbing action has been shown to be the most effective method of plaque removal in children younger than six. Sometimes one will find that the gums bleed during brushing. Parents should not let this deter them from brushing their child's teeth. Bleeding gums are an indication that there is infection present. The bleeding will subside once plaque and bacteria are removed.

With so many brands of toothpaste on the market these days, parents are faced with a difficult choice. For children under six years of age, children's toothpaste brands are recommended. The most important thing, however, is not so much the type of toothpaste that is used but rather the amount that is applied to the toothbrush.

Contrary to the picture often portrayed in advertisements, only the tiniest amount of toothpaste is required, especially in children. A small "pea-sized" amount or smear layer over the end of the bristles should be used and not a thick "sausage" of toothpaste.

Parents should monitor brushing carefully to ensure that the toothpaste is not swallowed or "eaten". Ingesting too much toothpaste increases the risk of developing fluorosis ("mottled teeth") of the permanent teeth especially in children under five years of age.

For this reason, fluoride mouth rinses are not recommended for children under the age of six years because they do not have control over their swallowing reflexes and the risk of developing fluorosis is therefore greater. It is recommended that children older than six only use fluoride mouth rinses under strict parental supervision.

Flossing

Besides brushing, the value of flossing is often underestimated, especially in children. Before the age of three years, there are spaces between the first and second primary molars. These spaces close around the age of three years and the teeth are positioned closely against each other.

A toothbrush cannot reach here and it is therefore important to start introducing flossing in order to remove plaque and prevent cavities from forming between the teeth. Products such as "Easy-floss" can make the flossing process easier.

Children learn by watching their parents and imitating them. Parents can influence their children's future dental health by setting a good example. By establishing good oral hygiene habits early in life, the risk of future dental problems can be minimised.

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