As soon as the first baby tooth comes through you need to start cleaning it. Use a damp cloth or a soft baby toothbrush with either water or a speck of toothpaste. If you give your baby a dummy don’t sweeten it with honey or syrup, as this coats the teeth with sugar and leads to a decay. If you are bottle-feeding your baby, avoid bottle-feeding fruit juices or other sweetened drinks for the same reason. For toddlers, choose a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small head that can reach to the back of the mouth. Change the toothbrush regularly every three months. Until your child is at least eight years old, you should continue to help them brush their teeth. Always choose a toothbrush recommended for your child’s age.
To help prevent tooth decay in children here’s what you can do:
- Brush their teeth twice a day. Try brushing before breakfast and after dinner at night. Tooth enamel is softened for about 30 minutes after eating acidic foods so avoid brushing immediately after food.
- Use regular fluoride toothpaste. Opt for kid-friendly flavour like bubble gum but avoid a sugar-laden children’s toothpaste. Give them water only after they spit the toothpaste out or they will accidentally swallow the toothpaste-mixed water.
- Ensure that children have a healthy diet, which is low in sugar. Sugary food and drink allow bacteria and acids to thrive in your child’s mouth. They create tooth decay. Foods containing calcium, like milk products and vegetables and phosphate, like leafy vegetables, fruit, meat and poultry, are essential in the prevention of cavities. Of course, make sure that you are feeding them age-appropriate foods.
- Avoid sticky, sugary snacks between meals. Avoid fizzy drinks, which are acidic and can erode the teeth. Encourage them to drink water and sugar-free drinks.
- Check children’s teeth regularly. Lift the lip to check for signs of tooth decay. See a paediatric dentist at the first sign of any discolouration.
- Ensure that they have regular dental check-ups from an early age.
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