Children often tend to ignore their health and well-being owing to their short attention span, with oral hygiene being one of the key areas in this regard. As such, the onus falls on parents to ensure their children brush their teeth and clean their tongue every day. According to healthcare professionals, turning these habits into fun shared activities can be a great way to make children interested in maintaining oral health. If they establish proper oral hygiene at a young age, it will set the foundation for healthy teeth and gums in the future.
Milk teeth (also known as primary teeth) are important for children due to several reasons. “They play a vital role in helping kids eat, learn to speak and show their unique personalities,” says Dr Sharon Colaco Dias, HOD & consultant, dental medicine, Manipal Hospitals, Old Airport Road, Bangalore. “In addition, they help maintain the correct spaces for the permanent teeth [also known as adult teeth] to replace them later on. Hence, it’s very important to take good care of them.”
How to introduce oral hygiene to children
Getting children to maintain oral hygiene can be challenging for parents; while some kids pick it up early, others refuse to do so, says Dr S Srinivas, HOD, dentistry, Prashanth Super Speciality Hospital, Chennai. “To tackle the latter, parents can introduce brushing as a shared and fun activity done together as a family or at least with one parent being involved. Children like to imitate their parents; hence, doing it together will have a positive impact on the kids,” he adds.
Parents should slowly instill the habit in children to brush their teeth at night before going to sleep. This helps prevent the buildup of plaque — a sticky material formed by germs inside the mouth, shares Dr Srinivas.
Oral health in newborns
While newborns don’t have teeth, caring for their gums and mouth is crucial. “Before the teeth come in, clean your child’s mouth after each feeding or at least twice a day,” says Dr Dias. “Place yourself and your child in a comfortable position and use a clean and wet gauze or soft cloth to gently wipe the gum pads,” she advises. Adding to this, Dr Srinivas says once the baby has been introduced to water and semi-solid foods, parents can clean the child’s mouth with their fingers or a wet cloth every morning.
Dr Dias recommends using a small, soft toothbrush once the baby’s teeth start coming in. “Place the head [bristles] of the toothbrush at an angle along a row of teeth and against the gum line. Brush gently in circular motions, as going back and forth can hurt the gums and teeth. Repeat the same for both sides of all the teeth. Once done, clean the tongue with the toothbrush or a tongue cleaner,” she explains.
On the flip side, Dr Srinivas advises against giving electric toothbrushes to children, stating that brushing is an activity that helps the child improve their motor skills. “Giving them an electric toothbrush will come in the way of improving their cognitive skills. An adult can use an electric toothbrush, but I would not recommend it for a child,” he elaborates.
Thumb sucking: Is it a cause for concern?
Thumb sucking is a common habit that children develop, with some even starting it in the womb. “When a baby is breastfed, they feel secure and develop thumb sucking as a soothing habit. It reminds them of their mother and gives them a sense of warmth and comfort,” notes Dr Srinivas.
The habit usually makes most parents worry about their child’s teeth alignment. Nevertheless, Dr Dias provides some reassurance, stating that thumb sucking or a pacifier usually doesn’t cause any damage to a child’s teeth during the first two to three years. “However, after the age of three, the habit could affect the development of permanent teeth. It can lead to issues like an anterior open bite [where the upper and lower teeth in the front don’t overlap or make contact], protruding front teeth or maxillary constriction [narrowing or tightening of the upper jawbone]. Hence, it’s important they break the habit before that age,” she cautions.
What type of toothpaste is ideal for children?
Building good oral habits during the early years — such as brushing twice a day — significantly contributes to children maintaining healthy teeth and gums throughout their lives. Dr Srinivas advises against toothpastes with strong flavors, as those can cause nausea, making children averse to brushing. “There are several toothpastes that are only for children, which do not have strong flavoring agents; these help kids develop the habit of brushing twice a day,” he says, adding that children must also be taught to use a tongue cleaner or a toothbrush to clean their tongue every time they brush.
Dr Dias recommends using toothpastes that contain fluoride, a mineral that helps prevent tooth decay. “All children should use fluoridated toothpaste as soon as their first teeth come in. Kids younger than three should use about the size of a grain of rice, while those aged three or older must use a pea-sized amount,” she adds.
Elaborating on the benefits of fluoride, Dr Srinivas says the mineral provides protection against tooth cavities and helps fight bacteria. “Schools and local communities can arrange mass fluoridation programs for children. This is an important part of their oral health that must not be ignored,” he advises.
Takeaways
Getting children to take care of their oral health can be a daunting task for parents. To make this easier, experts recommend they introduce brushing to their kids as a fun activity that can be done together. Inculcating good habits during the early years will help children maintain healthy teeth and gums throughout their lives. To ensure children stick to the habit of brushing twice a day, doctors suggest using toothpastes without strong flavors; they recommend opting for those containing fluoride, which provides protection against cavities and prevents tooth decay.
