Here are some of the causes of tooth decay in children:
- Baby teeth contain more organic matter than normal teeth. Therefore, they erode more easily than permanent teeth.
- Children cannot pay as much attention to oral care as adults. In order to encourage them to care for their mouths, it is beneficial for parents to brush their teeth at least twice a day, in a way that they can see.
- Children consume sugary foods more often than adults. Sugar is an important product that plays a role in both the intelligence and physical development of children, and it is practically impossible to completely prevent its consumption. However, in order to minimize its harmful effects on teeth, children should not be given sugar between meals, but if possible, immediately after meals.
- What should be avoided in particular is giving children pacifiers or baby bottles dipped in sugar, honey and jam, and making this a habit. Foods such as sugary milk, fruit juice, and sherbet given during sleep at night are among the primary factors that can cause dehydration.
- Children cannot interpret signals such as cold and hot sensitivity and mild pain that can be seen in the early stages of the disease in a timely manner. They only realize the event when the pain is unbearable, in which case it may be too late.
Feeding babies with breast milk for at least the first four months will ensure the normal development of soft tissue and muscle functions around the mouth. In cases where breast milk is insufficient, a physiological cap (palate, cut-end) bottle should be used. The baby should be accustomed to cup and spoon feeding from the age of 1.
Bottle feeding can continue until the age of 2 at most. Habits such as thumb sucking and using a pacifier can be allowed until the age of 2 – 2.5. If the thumb sucking habit is present, the reason for this should be investigated and this habit should definitely be eliminated between the ages of 3 – 6.
Respiratory problems have a negative effect on jaw development. If there is only mouth breathing, not nose breathing (this is better understood during sleep), an ear, nose and throat specialist should definitely be consulted.
Teaching Your Child to Brush Their Teeth
The cleaning process should begin when the baby is 6-8 months old (i.e. when the first teeth appear in the mouth). After breakfast and before going to bed at night, it would be appropriate to wipe and clean the teeth (at least the chewing surfaces) with a clean cheesecloth or gauze.
It is appropriate to start using a toothbrush after the child's back teeth appear (on average at 2.5 - 3 years old).
It is very difficult to apply a technique for brushing teeth in preschool children. What is important at these ages is to get the child to get into the habit of brushing teeth. When brushing teeth, children usually brush the visible or easily accessible surfaces of their teeth. However, in order to prevent cavities, the interfaces and chewing surfaces of the teeth need to be cleaned much better. Therefore, it would be good for the parents to check after brushing.
Toothbrushes made of soft and nylon bristles that are suitable for the child's mouth size should be used. Hard brushes are not suitable for use as they will wear down the teeth. Just as you can't brush with an old broom, you can't brush your teeth with an old brush. The bristles of a brush should definitely be replaced as soon as they wear out (6 months on average).
After breakfast and before going to bed at night, just three minutes of effective brushing is enough. Like any good habit, brushing your teeth will be acquired during childhood.
The care of baby teeth is at least as important as permanent teeth. Rotten baby teeth not only cause pain to your child, but also cause difficulty in chewing and an ugly appearance. This situation not only disrupts the child's eating routine, but can also cause him to be the subject of ridicule among his friends.
In addition, excessive advancement of caries can cause inflammation at the root end of the tooth. This inflammation can cause the child's general health to deteriorate and can also damage the permanent tooth located under the root of the milk tooth. In addition, teeth extracted at an early age due to caries can cause permanent teeth to grow crooked and may require orthodontic treatment in the future.
Balanced Nutrition
Balanced nutrition is directly related to caries. A balanced diet means consuming the necessary nutrients for growth and development. So what should be the type and frequency of foods consumed? Children's eating habits should be followed and it should be determined how often the child eats. Consuming carbohydrate-rich foods with main meals and not consuming such foods (cake, potatoes, chips, chocolate, candy, biscuits) as snacks will provide significant benefits in terms of child development. For example; Instead of eating a pack of chocolate in 5 meals at 1 hour intervals, it is less harmful to eat the whole pack after lunch.
Fluor
Fluor is a substance that is so important that it can change the fate of teeth. It enters the structure of the enamel while the teeth are forming and makes the tooth extremely resistant to decay. It can be applied in various ways. The best is to have fluorine in drinking water. Since drinking water is not fluoridated in our country, it is appropriate to give this substance in tablet form according to the dentist's recommendation and also to apply it superficially during six-month check-ups.
Leaving a Positive Image About the Dentist
The dentist should never be used as a source of intimidation, and the parents' own fears and concerns about this issue should not be reflected on the child. It is generally recommended that the child sits in the dentist's chair before his/her second birthday.
Cave formation
A vaccine or drug that can completely prevent the formation of cavities has not yet been developed. However, some materials are used today to reduce the number of cavities. One of these is the material we call fissure sealant. Tooth decay usually starts in the grooves called "fissures" on the chewing surfaces of the molars and premolars. Fissure sealant With its very thin structure, it covers the groove and protects the area from external factors such as germs, food residue, etc., thus preventing decay from starting in this area. Unfortunately, this method, which is quite successful, is not effective on decay that starts between two teeth. Fissure sealant is usually applied to permanent molars and premolars that erupt after the age of 6. Fissure sealant Another point to consider when applying is that there is no cavity or filling in the relevant tooth.
Here are a few suggestions for your children to acquire the habit of brushing their teeth
When brushing their teeth, brush your own teeth with a separate toothbrush. Get them a few toothbrushes and toothpaste. These brushes and pastes should be different colors and have different comic book characters. Have them choose a different pair each time. This choice will increase his desire and motivation to brush his teeth.
Ö first wait for him to brush his own teeth, then you can brush yours.
Create a teeth brushing board at home and mark it on the board after each brushing.
Place an hourglass in the bathroom and time each brushing by turning the hourglass upside down. Approximately 2 minutes of brushing will be enough.
Your child has no knowledge about tooth decay. Feed him sticky candy, chocolate, cookies and show him in the mirror how they stick to his teeth. Then brush his teeth and show him in the mirror how beautiful, clean and white his teeth are.
Remember! PREVENTIVE MEDICINE aimed at preventing the formation of caries is the easiest, cheapest and healthiest treatment.
