Surprise facts about tooth decay in children and effective prevention

Caries in children, although not dangerous to their lives, but affects much daily activities of the baby. Habits and diet are the two leading factors causing tooth decay.

Her grandparents taught: "The tooth, the hair is the angle of the person". A healthy and beautiful teeth also shows that your baby has received dental care and a reasonable diet. The following article will answer you the interesting facts behind the story called "baby tooth decay".

Tooth decay in children, which baby is at risk?

Bi is a boy who loves sweet food. One day, when taking him to a dental examination, his mother was shocked when the dentist said that the boy had a large hole in his molars. Not only that, then, the dentist also found 3 more cavities. The hole was too big, the teeth damaged so much that the dentist had to eventually remove all 4 teeth.

Parents believe that young children are more prone to tooth decay because they do not brush their teeth well and floss very rarely. This is true to some extent, but few people know that the cause of the tooth decay is a special bacteria, often contagious in the family and accompanying the baby for life.

Today, children are more susceptible to tooth decay because from an early age, they are exposed to a diet high in sugar. In addition, the prevalence of non-fluoridated bottled water is also a cause of this.

Baby caries usually originate from a group of bacteria called mutans streptococcus. This bacteria ferments carbohydrates to produce acids that cause calcium loss in the hard tissues of the teeth. In addition, the bacteria also create plaque (a yellow mucus on the teeth) that contains acids that erode tooth enamel, causing tooth decay and cavities.

Normally, when a baby is born, there won't be any harmful bacteria in his mouth. After that, however, the baby will be spread through its caregivers, usually parents. The bacteria are usually passed on through saliva, for example when you share a spoon with your baby or share your toothbrush. If you often have tooth decay, the risk of tooth decay in your child caused by infection is also very high.

If you often have dental problems, you should pay attention to your baby's oral health. Antibiotics are not effective against bacteria that cause tooth decay. That is why pediatricians often ask you about your own dental problems when your baby is 6 months old and advise you to take care of your baby carefully if he or she is at high risk of tooth decay.

When should I take my baby to the dentist?

You should take your baby to a dental check-up when he is 1 year old. If you wait until your baby is a little older to take him to a doctor, he or she is more likely to have tooth decay.

However, most parents do not pay attention to bringing their baby to dental examination. According to statistics, only 10% of 1-year-olds and 24% of 2-year-olds have ever gone to the dentist. Taking your baby to the dental exam can make it difficult for you because he won't sit still and open his mouth. However, do not worry, this will not take too much time because the plaque accumulating on the baby's gums is easy to detect.

Prevent tooth decay in children

All babies can develop cavities, but some babies are at higher risk. Therefore, you should follow some guidelines to take care of your baby's oral health:

Cut back on sweets:  Bacteria need sugar to survive, so limiting your sugar intake is the best way to prevent tooth decay. However, you should pay attention to the frequency of sweets, not the total amount of sugar that your baby eats, for example eating a large chocolate bar once will be less harmful than just taking a small bite and eating. many times. Because this will make saliva unable to clean teeth.

Pay attention to sugary drinks:  Fruit juices (even diluted), breastmilk, and formula all contain sugar. In fact, dentists often call infant tooth decay "baby tooth decay" because babies often get cavities from drinking milk or juice at night. Therefore, you should wean your baby when he is 14 months old to avoid tooth decay in the baby.

Pay attention to the amount of fluorosis your baby consumes: If the water in your area does not contain fluorosis or your baby only drinks bottled water that does not contain fluoride, you should ask your doctor about fluoridation for your baby. However, if too much fluoride is absorbed, it can lead to fluorosis, causing white spots on the teeth. That is why children under 2–3 years old should not use fluoridated toothpaste because they will swallow instead of spit it out.

Take care of your teeth: If you have a history of dental problems , avoid sharing utensils or toothbrushes with your baby. However, you can ask your dentist to prescribe a number of drugs to eliminate the bacteria in the mouth, limit transmission to the baby. Good nutrition during pregnancy can also increase your baby's enamel. You should brush your teeth and see your dentist regularly. This is also a way to help your baby understand the importance of dental health care.

How to take care of your baby's teeth

Infant

Clean gums even if your baby has not teething. Use a damp cloth to wipe the gums clean each time the baby is finished feeding.

Practice brushing your baby's teeth as soon as they start teething. Wet the brush and gently brush it over the tooth surface and along the gum line. If you use toothpaste, choose one that is non-fluorid.

Toddlers

Brush your child's teeth for at least 30 seconds (preferably one minute) after breakfast and before bed. Tilt your baby's head into your lap and place the brush at 45 degrees above the teeth.

Start with a small amount of fluoride toothpaste when your baby is 2–3 years old.

Kinder Garten

Have your baby brush your teeth with you and tell them the benefits of brushing.

You can give your baby a hand brush or electric brush. Both types are equally good, but the electric brush is relatively easier to use.

Children of school age

Let your baby brush his teeth and rinse his mouth when he is 7. If he can tie his own shoelaces, he can also brush his teeth. Baby should brush teeth for about 2 minutes.

Check to see if your child has brushed off food and plaque in the gum contour area. You can also have your baby chew gum to clean their teeth.

In addition, you can refer to how to teach children to brush their teeth through this article " 5 tips to teach children to brush teeth properly ".