Every child deserves attention, care and confidence to grow into a happy and healthy individual. Parents put in a lot of effort when choosing the right school, type of food, balanced lifestyle and to ensure the child's wellbeing. Yet one crucial aspect often gets overlooked - their teeth. For parents, it seems like ‘just baby teeth’, but for children, a healthy smile is a way to express themselves to the world.
A healthy smile plays an important role in a child's overall development and builds confidence.
Good dental health in children supports important functions such as speaking, eating, smiling and socializing. Dental problems can lead to improper sleep, pain and discomfort, resulting in reduced food intake. It may also lead to irritability and reduced participation in daily activities and embarrassment.
Most of the times, parents want to take care of their children's teeth but are confused with the enormous amount of information and misinformation available everywhere.
Let's debunk the popular myths around kids' oral health and dive into reality.
Fact: No, brushing harder doesn't mean brushing better, it can only harm kids' gums and teeth. Excess pressure leads to enamel loss, sensitivity and receding gums. The right technique is to brush in slow, moderate pressure with circular strokes. Brushing twice everyday should be implemented at an early age as an oral hygiene practice to prevent dental complications.
Fact: Until about 6 years of age, kids can attempt to brush their teeth, but they will need help from parents for effective cleaning. However, by the age of 7 or 8, they will learn the fine motor skills needed for effective brushing and can complete the task more independently.
Fact: Healthy primary teeth enable children to eat, speak, and smile with confidence. Decay in baby teeth or an infected tooth can impact their ability to chew causing pain, swelling and discomfort. This might result in sleepless nights and fatigue. As the adult teeth emerge, they take the same pathway as the baby teeth. Premature loss of baby teeth can interfere with the alignment of permanent teeth, resulting in issues like crowding, crooked teeth, and sometimes gaps. To avoid these issues, just like adult teeth, primary teeth need to be kept healthy.
Fact: Dental X rays are used for diagnosing various dental problems. It can help detect cavities, monitor tooth growth and identify malocclusions. Dental X- rays emit very low doses of radiation which is considered safe for children.
Fact: Fluoride toothpaste for kids is safe when used correctly. It strengthens the enamel, making it more resistant to decay. It is one of the most effective ways to prevent cavities. A pea-sized amount of toothpaste is recommended by ADA for children aged 2 to 6 years after the eruption of the first tooth, and under 2 years of age a ‘smear’ of toothpaste has been suggested.
Fact: While sugar is one of the main culprits, carbohydrates like bread, biscuits, crackers and pastas can also contribute to cavities. The sticky nature of the food item is the guilty component here. The combination of food particles, frequent snacking, not rinsing after each meal, sticky food and infrequent brushing can play a significant role in cavity formation.
MedBound Times connected with Dr. Marium Raheema, BDS, MDS, pedodontist and she shared her insights on how parents can foster better oral hygiene habits in kids. She recommended, "for newborns, gently wiping the gum pads with a soft, moist cloth is an excellent way to begin mechanical cleaning of the mouth. This early habit helps the child adapt smoothly to toothbrushing once the first teeth appear." For older children, she says, " parents can encourage drinking water after every meal, this not only keeps them hydrated but also helps rinse the mouth and cleanse the oral cavity." "Each time they rinse, it’s important to offer a glass of water and encourage rinsing for at least one minute to ensure thorough cleansing."
Don't let myths decide what's good for your child. Early prevention is the key in supporting your child's oral health. Good oral hygiene, regular check-ups and right habits can help your child smile happily and confidently. Remember a toothache is a great nuisance whether it affects an adult or a child.
References:
Kaushik, Manisha, and Shveta Sood. 2023. “A Systematic Review of Parents’ Knowledge of Children’s Oral Health.” Cureus 15 (7): e41485. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.41485.
Al Domyati, Roaa Mohammad, Ghaida Mazen Zagzoog, Abdulrahman Khalid Obaid, Rawad Homoud Al Shehri, May Mohammed Hakami, et al. 2024. “Pediatric Dental Radiography: Safety, Techniques and Diagnostic Applications.” International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health 11 (1): 533-39. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20234153.
Winnier, Jasmin, Sanjana Kodical, Ashveeta Shetty, Arwa Soni, Parnaja Valke, Miloni Sanghavi. 2021. “Use of Fluoridated Toothpaste in Children – A Review.” International Journal of Current Research and Review. Recent Advances in Dentistry for Better Oral Health (March): 180-85. https://doi.org/10.31782/IJCRR.2021.SP290
Yukio Machida, Hiroshi Sekiguchi, Masashi Yakushiji. 2008. "Determining the optimal age up to which parents should brush children's teeth." Pediatric Dental Journal. 2008;18(1): 24-26. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0917-2394(08)70117-4
Reviewed and edited by Dr. Theresa Lily Thomas, BDS.
