By the age of fifteen, three-quarters of Irish children suffer from dental decay. You might think it’s a little early to take a toothbrush to those tiny first teeth at six months, but experts now believe brushing should begin as soon as the first tooth is visible.
Because teeth are susceptible to decay as soon as they appear in the mouth, the best advice is to start early by wiping the baby’s teeth and gums clean after every feeding with a soft, damp washcloth or gauze pad. A leading cause of tooth decay among young children is known as “baby bottle syndrome.” When an infant is allowed to drink from a nursing bottle containing milk, formula or fruit juice during nap time or at night, the baby often falls asleep with the bottle in his or her mouth. Exposure to the sugars and acids in these liquids that pool around the teeth can cause discoloration and decay.
Since breast milk contains sugar, decay also can occur when a baby falls asleep while breast-feeding. To prevent damage to the teeth, clean your child’s teeth after each feeding and, if necessary, give him or her a bottle filled only with water at bedtime or during a nap. Try Brush Baby Dental Wipes (€5.49) which are banana flavoured and designed for cleaning gums and tiny teeth.
Eating and drinking habits are key
Studies have shown that children who drink fluoridated water from birth have up to 65 percent fewer cavities, and by the time they become teenagers, many of them still have no tooth decay.
A balanced diet is also an important contributor to healthy teeth and gums. Children especially need calcium, which helps build strong teeth. Good sources of calcium are milk, cheese and yogurt. Research shows that eating cheese after meals also seems to inhibit the effects of decay-causing acids.
Dr Andoni Jones at MyDental Clinic, recommends bringing your child to the dentist before his or her first birthday. Here are his top tips for caring for junior teeth:
By age 3: “Children should be brushing their own teeth under adult supervision. Only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste is necessary. Start flossing your child’s teeth daily when all the primary teeth are in or when teeth are touching each other.”
By age 8: “Children should be able to brush and floss by themselves, with occasional checks. Turn brushing and flossing into a daily routine — make it fun by giving your child a colourful or musical toothbrush and flavoured floss like mint.”
