Dental care for children

                              Dental care for children

                                                                                                                        By- Dr. ANKIT YADAV

             Smile is said to be contagious, it spreads goodness for the larger good of humanity. If that holds true, then, by all means, a genial smile on the faces of kids is no less than divine; their animated innocence lights up their faces to produce a therapeutic effect to yearn for. Its preciousness has to be given the care it deserves to hold the charisma intact. A two-minute read through my sixth blog (others were about oral hygiene aids, mouthwash and its implication, toothbrush and its care, type of toothpaste, an essential ingredient in toothpaste) here would take you through the oral care kids need to ensure a worry-free childhood.

Dental appointment: -

          The first dental appointment of a child is between 6 months to 1 year age or when the first tooth erupts in the oral cavity. Primary teeth help in chewing the food and serve the purpose for the aesthetic appeal of the dentition. Early interaction with the dentist helps them to overcome the fear of dental treatment at a later age. Regular visits to dental clinic reduce the chances of caries spread as well as break deleterious habits (thumb sucking, lip biting, mouth breathing)

Diet: -

          Diet is the most crucial element of the overall development of a child. The diet must comprise of adequate amount of protein, fibers, vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates. Junk food must be avoided in their diet. A rich amount of fruits and vegetables must be included in their diet. We must try to fulfill all the diet requirements from natural sources and avoid synthetic sources. Carbohydrates must be given an insufficient amount. The sticky sugar (chocolates, candies) and their derivatives must be avoided from the diet because they can lead to cavity formation.

     Tip: -

• Consumption of sugary items should be done post meals for it reduces the chances of cavity occurrences as compared to consuming them between meals.
• Add fibers in great amounts in the diet they reduce the chances of caries formation.

Formula feeding/ Nipple bottle feeding: -

           Breastfeeding and bottle feeding are the most common ways of feeding the child at an early age. After bottle-feeding or breastfeeding wipe the teeth of a child with wet cotton to avoid dental caries because when the child is sleeping the saliva formation is reduced and the environment inside the mouth becomes favorable for carious bacteria. The bottle-feeding habit must be discontinued after the child turns one year old. Prolonged use of bottle feeding can lead to: -

• Dental crowding and overlapping
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Speech disorder(dysarthria)
• Infant caries

Tip for bottle usage: -

• The nipple of the bottle is made of either silicon (clear) or latex (brown in color) and they are available in different varieties like a round nipple, orthodontic nipple, wide base nipple, etc.
• The immune system of child is vulnerable so they are more prone to infection. To avoid it, proper cleaning of bottles is necessary.
• Wash the bottle with hot soapy water thoroughly and with a bottle brush, allow it to air dry. No remanent of milk around the wall must be left after cleaning.
• Avoid sharing of nipples with siblings.
• Remove the bottle from the oral cavity while the child is sleeping to avoid caries because continuous contact of sugar-containing milk with teeth can lead to caries.

Fluoride: -

          Fluoride is the essential element for childrens’ teeth. The daily requirement of fluoride for a below 3-year child is 0.25mg/day and between 3–6 year child is 0.5mg/day and above 6 years of age it is 1 mg/day. Fluoride is available in water, fruits, vegetable, and toothpaste also. Both deficit and high quantity of fluoride other than recommended have their side effects and health hazards. Fluoride forms a protective layer over the enamel surface and resists the bacteria to cause dental caries

     Tip:-

• You can use fluoride-containing toothpaste (specific age group) for your child. Brushing must be done with proper technique (round motion/ Fones's technique).
• In dental clinics, we use fluoride sealant in the deep occlusion pits to overcome the favorable environment for caries bacteria and seal the deep pit
• Fluoride containing cement are also used in dental clinics to fill dental cavities.   

Professional advice: -

• Primary teeth must equally care as much as permanent teeth because if primary teeth are protected well then chances of defect or disease occurring in permanent are also very less.
• Fluoride application by professionals at an early age reduces the chances of cavity formation in primary teeth.
• Primary teeth maintain the space for the permanent teeth in the oral cavity, if they fell before the permanent eruption then the space for permanent is compromised.
• While eating sweets then avoid the habit of irregular intake of 4-5 times in a day because they increase the chances of cavity formation in many folds.
• Many abnormalities can be corrected an early age-related
  to the oral cavity if they are diagnosed timely (cleft lip, cleft palate, nursing bottle caries, narrow arches, open bite)
• Visit your dental clinic every 6 months for a healthy oral cavity.