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The unfortunate reality is that nearly 50 per cent of Australian children under six suffer from tooth decay; a disease that can result in pain, the removal of teeth, bad breath and a whole host of other problems.
There are two main factors behind this rotten statistic:
- Children are consuming more sugary foods and drinks during the day.
- Children (and adults) aren’t cleaning their teeth correctly.
It is important that parents start a tooth brushing routine as soon as a baby’s first tooth arrives. Use an infant-sized, soft bristled toothbrush and water (no toothpaste!) to gently brush the tooth.
Later, children can play with a toothbrush at bath time to introduce the idea of brushing their own teeth.
Brushing teeth twice daily (after breakfast and before bedtime) for at least two minutes should become part of a child’s daily routine much like taking a bath or brushing their hair. Starting early sets up good habits for life.
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Make brushing their teeth fun by singing songs or offering a reward if your toddler is brushing properly.
Toothpaste can be introduced when a child is old enough to spit it out (about 18 months). A pea-sized amount of low fluoride toothpaste should be used for children under six years of age and flossing should be introduced when two teeth start to touch.
Parents are encouraged to look in their children’s mouths regularly. Gently “lift the lip” and look for white spots at the gum line particularly on the upper teeth. The white spots may be an early sign of tooth decay. If you find white spots, seek advice from a dental professional.
Parents should perform or supervise brushing until the child is around eight years of age or old enough to ensure brushing is done correctly.
The major problem for children, however, is what they eat and drink.
Every parent knows that chocolates, lollies, and fizzy drinks are bad for their child’s teeth.
Bacteria in your mouth, known as dental plaque, converts sugars into acids.
Over time, acid eats away at the surface of a tooth, attacking the enamel, weakening the tooth and causing decay in the form of holes or cavities.
What you may not know is that tooth decay can also be caused by how frequently we snack. This doesn’t mean just lollies and fizzy drinks; this includes foods that are high in natural sugars or starch.
Every time we eat, our teeth are exposed to the sugars in food, so it is important to limit snacking in between meals.
Avoid fizzy drink and juices and give kids water with every meal.
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