Pedodontics
Some of the causes of tooth decay in children are as follows
- Baby teeth contain more organic matter than permanent teeth. Therefore, they decay more easily than permanent teeth.
- Children cannot pay as much attention to oral care as adults. To encourage them to take care of their teeth, it is beneficial for parents to brush their teeth at least twice a day in front of them.
- Children consume sugary foods more frequently than adults. Sugar is an important product that plays a role in both children's intellectual and physical development, and it is practically impossible to completely prevent its consumption. However, in order to minimize its harmful effects on teeth, sugar should be given to children after meals, rather than between meals, if possible.
- One thing you should definitely avoid is dipping pacifiers or bottles in sugar, honey, or jam and giving them to your kids, and making it a habit. Also, giving them sugary milk, fruit juice, or syrup between naps at night is one of the main things that can cause cavities.
- Children cannot interpret signs such as sensitivity to hot and cold and mild pain, which can be seen in the early stages of tooth decay. They only notice the problem when the pain becomes unbearable, at which point it may already be too late.
Breastfeeding babies for at least the first four months will ensure the normal development of soft tissue and muscle function around the mouth. In cases where breast milk is insufficient, a physiological (nipple-shaped, cut-tip) bottle should be used. From the age of 1, babies should be accustomed to eating with a cup and spoon.
Bottle feeding can continue until the age of 2 at the latest. Habits such as thumb sucking and using a pacifier can be allowed until the age of 2–2.5. If thumb sucking is a habit, the cause should be investigated and this habit must be eliminated between the ages of 3 and 6.
Respiratory problems have a negative effect on jaw development. If breathing occurs only through the mouth rather than through the nose (this condition is more noticeable during sleep), an ear, nose, and throat specialist should be consulted.
Teaching Your Child to Brush Their Teeth
When the baby is 6-8 months old (i.e., when the first teeth appear in the mouth), the cleaning process should begin. After breakfast in the morning and before bedtime at night, it is advisable to wipe and clean the teeth (at least the chewing surfaces) with a clean cloth or gauze pad. The use of a toothbrush should begin after the child's back teeth have erupted (around 2.5–3 years of age).
It is very difficult to teach preschool children a technique for brushing their teeth. At this age, it is important to instill a habit of brushing teeth in children. When brushing their teeth, children often brush only the visible or easily accessible surfaces of their teeth. However, to prevent cavities, it is much more important to thoroughly clean the interproximal surfaces and chewing surfaces of the teeth. For this reason, it is advisable for parents to check the child's brushing after they have finished.
Toothbrushes that are soft, made of nylon bristles, and suitable for the size of the child's mouth should be used. Hard brushes are not suitable for use as they will wear down the teeth. Just as you cannot sweep with an old broom, you cannot brush your teeth with an old toothbrush. The bristles must be replaced as soon as they become worn (on average every 6 months). Brushing for just three minutes after breakfast and before bedtime is sufficient. Like any good habit, the habit of brushing teeth is 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 habits, but can also cause him to be ridiculed by his friends.
In addition, excessive decay can cause inflammation at the tip of the tooth root. This inflammation can cause the child's general health to deteriorate and can also damage the permanent tooth located under the root of the baby tooth. In addition, teeth extracted at an early age due to decay can cause permanent teeth to grow crooked and may require orthodontic treatment in the future.
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Copyright 2025 Dentist Dental Clinic. Web Design RED Agency All rights reserved.