In my dental office, I've met all sorts of young patients and their anxious parents. Today, I would like to share with you a little story that has left a deep impression on me. This is not only a story about tooth decay, but also a revelation about how to turn distress into action and eliminate the risk of tooth decay in the first place.
Once, an 8-year-old boy came to my office with an unbearable toothache. His face was contorted with pain, and his eyes were filled with tears. His mother was equally anxious, holding the boy's hand tightly. Through examination, I found that the little boy not only had a severe tooth decay, but also several signs of early tooth decay. After the necessary treatment, I had an in-depth exchange with his mom. I realised that many parents and their children do not have sufficient understanding of the causes and preventive measures of tooth decay.
This made me think that although tooth decay is one of the most common problems in pediatric dentistry, it can be prevented or controlled with a few simple but effective measures. As a dentist, I feel it is my responsibility to share my experience and knowledge to help more families avoid similar distress.
So, whether you're a parent concerned about your child's oral health or a reader curious about how to effectively prevent tooth decay, I'm sure you'll get valuable insights and practical advice from what follows. I'm going to share some simple but extremely effective steps to help you radically reduce your child's risk of tooth decay. Come with me, let's leave those pains and tears in the past and welcome a healthy smile.
Daily precautions
1. Dietary modifications
Limit sugar and acidic intake:
High-sugar foods: Sugar is one of the main culprits of tooth decay. Bacteria produce acids by consuming sugar, which erode the enamel of your teeth. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce your child's intake of high-sugar foods such as candy, chocolate, sweet drinks, etc.
Acidic beverages: Acidic beverages such as carbonated drinks and citrus juices can also destroy tooth enamel. It is recommended to replace these drinks with water or milk to protect your child's teeth.
Increase foods rich in calcium and phosphorus:
Dairy products: Milk, cheese and yogurt are not only rich in calcium, but also good sources of phosphorus, which strengthen teeth.
Calcium-containing vegetables: Leafy greens such as broccoli and spinach can be used as part of your daily diet to help mineralize your teeth and strengthen them.
2. Brush your teeth properly
Frequency and duration of brushing:
Frequency: Make sure your child brushes his or her teeth at least twice a day, for at least two minutes at a time.
When: It's best to brush your teeth in the morning after waking up and before bed in the evening, as it is especially important to brush your teeth before bed, as the night is the peak time for bacterial growth.
Brushing Tips:
Toothbrush selection: Use a children's toothbrush with a soft-bristled brush head that is the right size for your child's mouth.
Toothpaste dosage: The amount of toothpaste should be appropriate for your child's age, and a pea-sized amount of toothpaste is usually recommended.
Brushing action: Gently brush at a 45-degree angle to the teeth and gum margins, not neglecting the inside of the teeth and the chewing surface.
The importance of education: Teach your child the proper way to brush their teeth from an early age, and use a timer to ensure that the brushing time is long enough to ensure that every part is cleaned.
Regular oral check-ups
1. Visit your dentist regularly:
Prevention is always more economical and comfortable than treatment to combat tooth decay. It is recommended that every parent should take their child for a dental check-up at least once every six months. This is not only to clean the parts that are difficult to reach by daily brushing, but also to detect and treat problems early through professional eyes. Regular check-ups include, but are not limited to:
Scaling: Dentists use professional tools to remove tartar and plaque, which are difficult to remove completely by brushing. Teeth cleaning can effectively prevent periodontal disease and maintain oral health.
Check for tooth decay: Your dentist will check for tooth decay that is starting to form, especially in the back teeth, which are common in children. Early detection of tooth decay can be simply treated with medication, avoiding complex dental procedures.
Dental X-rays: This helps the dentist to see the hidden parts of the teeth and under the roots, as well as the small gaps between the teeth, which are the most overlooked areas of tooth decay.
2. Early Intervention:
When tooth decay first starts, it may be just a tiny white patch or a slight softening of the dentin. At this time, early intervention can greatly reduce the complexity and cost of treatment.
Fluoride treatment: This is a simple yet effective preventive measure that can help restore minerals to the tooth surface, strengthen the tooth and prevent tooth decay from progressing further. Fluoride coatings or regular use of fluoride toothpaste are good options.
Fissure sealant: This is a preventive treatment, especially for children's baby and permanent teeth. During the treatment, the dentist applies a thin protective layer to the chewing surface of the tooth, which can stop the invasion of food debris and bacteria, and effectively prevent tooth decay.
Regular dental check-ups can not only protect children from tooth decay, but also be an educational way for children to establish correct oral hygiene concepts from an early age. Through these professional examinations and early interventions, we can greatly reduce the risk of oral diseases that children may suffer from in the future, so that they can have a healthy smile.
Parental Roles and Responsibilities
1. Supervise your child's oral hygiene habits
Parents need to ensure that their children develop good oral hygiene habits from an early age, including:
Brush your teeth regularly: Make sure your child brushes his teeth at least twice a day for at least two minutes at a time. Use an age-appropriate toothbrush and toothpaste to clean teeth and between teeth in small increments and in all directions.
Proper brushing technique: Teach your child to use proper brushing techniques, such as small circular motions and gentle back and forth, without neglecting any corner, especially near the gums.
Flossing: Flossing is important for removing food debris and plaque from between teeth.
2. Teach your child to identify foods that are harmful to their teeth
Reduce sugar intake: Educate your child to understand that too much sugar and acidic foods, such as citrus fruits and carbonated drinks, are the main causes of tooth decay. Try to avoid frequent intake of sweets, chocolates, soft drinks, etc.
Healthy eating habits: Guide your child to eat foods rich in calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D, such as milk, cheese and eggs, which can help strengthen their teeth.
Fruits and vegetables: Encourage your child to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, which not only help clean their teeth but also provide essential nutrients.
3. Enhance your child's awareness of oral health
Educational games: Use educational games and interactive activities to help children understand the importance of oral hygiene, such as simulated tooth brushing games, so that children learn how to use their toothbrushes and dental floss correctly.
Oral Health Storytime: Increase your child's interest and awareness of maintaining good oral hygiene by telling oral health stories or animations.
Self-exam: Encourage your child to have regular dental self-exams and report any unusual sensations or observations, such as small holes in the teeth or pain felt, to the parents. Through the above measures, parents can not only help their children establish good oral hygiene habits from an early age, but also greatly reduce their risk of tooth decay in the future.